He’s been an associate coach for the Las Vegas Sidewinders for a long time, and he was in the running the first time around but turned it down, saying he had a blended family and wasn’t in a position to move.
Obviously, something changed because he took the job and called a meeting first thing this morning, before practice.
“Gentlemen.” Mr. Carrier and Mr. Heywood walk in smiling. “We’d like you to meet Jamie Teller, your new head coach.”
There’s a lot of noise and movement as Jamie comes in and starts shaking hands with everyone, taking a minute to talk to each of us as he walks around the room. Ironically, I know him.He played in a European tournament I participated in years ago, when I was eighteen or nineteen. We aren’t super close, but we’ve stayed in touch, so this is great news as far as I’m concerned.
“Bodi.” He smiles when he gets to me, clapping me on the shoulder. “How’s it going? I hear it’s been a little tricky for you this season.”
“It has, but I hope we’re past all that.”
“I hope so too. Looking forward to working with you again.”
He finishes making the rounds and then moves to the front of the room. They brought breakfast in for us, so most of us are still eating.
“I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking,” Jamie says. “You guys have had a rough start to your inaugural season, and I’m here to hopefully turn that around. But there’s some housekeeping stuff we need to get out of the way. First and foremost, we’re not going to be talking about Coach Morrison to the press. If they ask you anything, refer them to me or Ralph. Period.” He glances at Mr. Heywood, who nods.
“The reason this is pertinent is because Coach Morrison and his wife Lourdes are both being arrested today. For embezzlement and a bunch of other charges. It’s serious. So that’s why it’s imperative that we don’t discuss him with the press. We have a PR team for that, okay?”
There’s murmuring around the room as everyone nods, but I immediately grab my phone and text Jayne. This is something we’ve been concerned about.
BODI: Your dad and Lourdes are being arrested today. Is Lindy at school?
We’ve been worried about her since Jayne moved out, but she hasn’t been able to see her.
“Now, for a little about me,” Jamie continues, but I’m only half-listening. “Most of you know I played for the Sidewindersand the Generals. I’ve been an associate coach for the Sidewinders for the last five years and my family was settled in Vegas. I turned down this job the first time it was offered because I just couldn’t see moving my family, and it would mean disrupting the kids. But it turns out, the family was ready to move.”
He hesitates. “And for those that don’t know, I’m married to a man. We have two children plus bonus children because we also co-parent my husband’s ex-wife’s kids. I know, it’s a lot, and if you have questions about that, we can discuss it one on one. Other than that, if there are questions, let’s hear them now. If you have an issue playing for me—moral, religious, whatever it is—this is your chance to say something.
“Once we leave this room, we all have a job to do. We’ve had more than enough drama for a new team already.” He puts his hands down flat on the table in front of him. “Questions?”
The room is quiet.
Then West stands up. “I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you prefer Alfredo sauce or vodka sauce on your pasta?”
Jamie doesn’t even hesitate. “Vodka sauce.”
“Excellent. Italian night at my place at the end of November. I’ll be making everything from scratch. Spouses welcome, but no kids.”
Jamie laughs. “I’m in.”
The room is quiet again.
“Anyone else?”
Everyone shakes their heads.
“Great. Finish your breakfast—I’ll see you on the ice.”
The moment he’s gone, I call Jayne.
“Babe, any news about Lindy?”
“Believe it or not, I heard from Lourdes about ten minutes ago—she asked me if I could pick her up from school before it hits the news.”
