Coach shook his head. “He’s not going anywhere. The front office has been very clear that he will not be traded or waived, and they still have every intention of negotiating an extension when that time comes.”
The response to that was a collective sigh of relief that I wished Avery could’ve heard.
“His captaincy is up to the team.” Coach sent asweeping look around the room. “We can have three alternates, or we can choose a new cap?—”
“Like hell,” Eminem said. “Calds is our captain. Full stop.”
Nods and a murmur of “yeah” and “damn right” went through the room, which brought a small smile to Coach’s lips. I had a feeling he’d known that would be the response.
Admittedly, I wanted to argue that maybe weshouldpick a new captain. Not to punish Avery, but to take off the pressure we never should have piled on his shoulders.
I kept that to myself, though.
“He’ll stay the captain, then,” Coach said. “During his time in the program, though, he won’t be playing or practicing with the team.” Faces fell and expressions shifted to dismay and anger, but Coach put up a hand. “It’s a requirement, and it’s also to make sure he can focus on taking care of himself. But no one—not him, not the team,no one—is making any noise about him leaving the Whiskey Rebels.”
“Good,” Ziggy said emphatically. “Because we’d fucking riot.”
More nods and sounds of agreement went around the room, and I couldn’t help smiling. I wished Avery could’ve been a fly on the wall for this.
Eminem glanced around before looking at Coach. “Is this like when Ricky went through the program a few years ago and he couldn’t come to games and we couldn’t talk to him?”
“Absolutely not,” Coach said without hesitation. “Calds isnotsuspended. He hasn’t broken any rules. None of this is disciplinary from the League or from the club. This is a player asking for help, and he’s getting that help. He can’t practice or play with the team until he’s reactivated, but hecanstill come to games and team events, andyou’re all welcome and encouraged to keep in contact with him.”
That seemed to be exactly what everyone needed to hear, and the collective relief was palpable. I’d already known that part from being there when Avery discussed the situation with Coach and the club, but it was still comforting to hear it. It was even more comforting to realize the rest of the teamwantedthat contact with him.
Do you have any idea how much support you have, Avery?
Probably not. He’d been so far down, so lost in his own grief and his growing addiction that he’d likely felt completely alone and isolated. Hopefully by the time he came out of this, he’d understand just how loved and supported he really was.
“While Calds is out,” Coach went on, “it’s our job to hold down the fort. Keep playing. Keep collecting points and aiming for the playoffs. It’s been a difficult year for this team, and both the fans and the front office know what we’re up against. But we can still take it one game at a time. Keep playing. Keep doing what we do best. We can carry Early’s memory with us, and we can stay strong as a team while Calds is getting help.”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
“We can win for Calds,” Eminem said. “Win tonight and break our losing streak—the better we can do while he’s out, the less pressure there will be on him.”
I actually choked up a little as my teammates nodded and murmured “yeah” and “we’ve got this.” For all Avery had convinced himself he had to carry the entire team, they were rallying around him, ready to play like hell so he wouldn’t feel like he had to rush back before he was ready.
“That’s the attitude we need.” Coach gestured over hisshoulder at the locker room door. “Step one, practicing before tonight’s game. We’re going to keep it light this morning. Let everyone process. But we’ve got a game tonight, and we need tofocus. Got it?”
Nods all around.
He was true to his word, too—we did practice, but he didn’t work us hard. Light drills. Some special teams, which was crucial today because Toronto had the number two power play in the League. Their penalty kill was nothing to sneeze at either; our best bet was to stay out of the box and keep the game five-on-five as much as possible.
After about thirty-five minutes instead of the usual hour, he dismissed us to cool down and head for the locker room.
On the way up the tunnel, I heard Baddy telling Eminem, “We should hit Calds up to go golfing. When the weather’s not shit.”
Eminem nodded. “Good call.”
I didn’t hear the rest of their conversation, but it was a relief that they were already trying to keep Avery close.
“Hey. Halls.” Davis appeared beside me. When he stopped, I did, too.
“What’s up?” I asked.
He glanced around, then looked up at me. “This was you, wasn’t it? Getting Calds into rehab?”
I chewed my lip, not sure how much to divulge.
