“Thank you.You too.”
Frederick leaves, and I lift the cover off the tray.
“What’d you get?”Phoebe asks.
I turn the phone so she can see.“Looks like turkey and ham sandwiches, sub sandwiches, chips.Nice spread.”
“Yeah,” she says.“Looks good.”
She looks better.
“Enjoy your sandwiches and your studying,” she says.“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.I’m so glad you’re here, Ollie.I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.Goodnight.”
We hang up, and I grab a couple of sandwiches and settle in to watch game footage and study plays in preparation for practice tomorrow.I’d much rather be with Phoebe, but I can’t let her distract me from the reason I’m here—to play hockey and be good enough to not get cast aside again.Maybe I can be the team’s choice…even though I’m never going to be Phoebe’s.
2
OLLIE
I almost feeldisloyal to the Sasquatch because of how much I enjoy skating with the Devil Birds.This is my first day on the ice with them, and it feels like things are clicking already.I mostly skate at center but can play right wing easily and left wing when necessary.Hell, I’m so big, there have been times through the years I got slotted in on a defensive line if we were short-handed.The only position I’m not at least passable at is goalie—because I’m not super flexible.
Not that filling the goal is anything the Devil Birds need to be worried about.They have the best goalie in the league.Bridget “Brick” Waller is the only female player in the league and smaller than most of the men, but she’s so agile in goal that it doesn’t matter.The entire team treats her with respect and like she’s one of the guys—in the best way possible.That makes me like everyone even more.The ’Squatch wouldn’t have been as accepting, no matter the example I’d try to set.Management wouldn’t have set the right tone.
It's exciting that there’s another player almost as big as I am on the team.Declan Mackenzie—everyone calls him Mac—matches me in height at six foot nine, but I’m broader and probably fifteen pounds heavier.His nickname is Mack Truck because that’s what getting hit by him feels like.It’s the truth—I’ve been the recipient of some of his hits, and they don’t tickle.I gave as good as I got though.No doubt we both needed some extra ice after we played games against one another.It was always gameplay though—no malice.That’s one thing I’ve always liked about Mac.He plays the game fairly and uses his size as a tool, not a weapon…but that doesn’t stop me from feeling sorry for the other teams in the league now that we’re on the same team and sometimes on the same line.
As we enter the locker room, Coach tells me to come see him after I’m cleaned up.My stomach roils.The last time I was called into my coach’s office, I was traded away.I thought practice went well, but maybe they decided I’m not what they want after all.I quickly shower and change into the Devil Birds-branded gear in my stall.It’s weird to be wearing blue and gray after wearing the green and brown of the Sasquatch all season.
The atmosphere in the locker room doesn’t feel heavy.No one is smirking at me as I go to Coach’s office.Maybe there’s nothing to worry about?I don’t really believe that.Now that they’ve seen me with their team, I’m sure they’ve decided I’m not a good fit and will either trade me somewhere else or bench me for the rest of the season.
Coach Morgan looks up when I knock on the door frame.
“Hey, King, come on in and take a seat.”He waves at a chair in front of his desk.“Up to you if you want to close the door.”
I decide to leave it open; there are a couple dozen shifters out there that will hear everything said, whether the door is open or not.
“So,” Coach says, leaning back in his chair.“How do you think practice went?”
I swallow.I hate questions like this.What if I say I think it went well, and he tells me it was a total shit show?But I don’t want to mention issues if he thought there weren’t any.
“I think the team is great and cohesive.I felt like we had some good plays.It’ll take more reps, of course, but I think we’ll jell.”
Coach nods.“I agree.We knew you’d fit right in.Will you be okay playing tonight against the Aliens?I want you and Mac on a line with Carter.He’s been getting banged up six ways to Sunday.He’s tough, but a body can only take being hit like that so much.Hopefully having you two out there with him can keep some heat off him.You two big boys really balance each other well.”
“Yeah,” I say enthusiastically.“I’m ready to prove my worth to the team.I’ll play on any line you put me on.”
Coach sits up and rests his folded hands on the desk, looking at me seriously.“King.You have nothing to prove here.We know you’re an exceptional player.That’s why we scooped you up.I don’t know what happened on your prior team, but I’ve seen and heard things, and I’m betting they did things that didn’t sit well with you.”
I dip my eyes down, not meeting his gaze.There’s nothing I can say to that.No matter how I feel, I’m not going to be disloyal.
“I know you won’t say anything,” Coach says with what sounds like approval, “because you’re a team player even when they do you dirty.That’s fine.It means we can move forward.Now, my assistant, Randi, will give you the details on your uniform and when to report.Okay keeping your number?”
“Yeah, I’m used to signing with a 36.It would be weird to change now.”
“I hear ya.”Coach stands and offers his hand, which I shake after rising from my chair.I guess our chat is over.
“Randi’s office is next door.She’s dating Mac, so if he’s in there, it’s not team business and you can interrupt them.”He says that louder than the volume of our conversation, so he must intend to be heard.There’s laughter from the locker room and some kissy noises.But it seems good-natured, not vulgar and cruel like what was common in Spokane.
