After stickhandling, Jamie had them skate the full length of the ice and take shots against Onni, who’d been thrilled to get the extra reps in net.
“Might as well wear a sign telling Onni where you’re going to shoot!” Jamie shouted at Matty, who’d telegraphed his shot, making it an easy save for the rookie goalie.
When it was Jamie’s turn, he challenged himself to push faster, to pick up his feet. He managed a hard fake on Onni, but the young goalie still managed to snatch the puck from the air. “Now,thatwas pretty,” Jamie said, tapping Onni on the pads with his stick as he skated by. “You earned that one.”
Eventually, the guys’ play started to get sloppy, and Jamie knew it was time to wrap it up. They gathered the pucks, andJamie made sure to compliment everyone who’d stuck around, tapping pads and gloves as they walked toward the locker room.
“Sully!”
Jamie glanced over, finding Coach Hollister sitting alone in the stands. “Hey, Coach.”
“Got a minute?”
Jamie nodded. Coach met him in the hallway, wearing his usual head-to-toe Muskies sweats. He looked out at the ice, his hands in his pockets with a pensive frown on his face.
Jamie waited, catching his breath. He’d been around Coach long enough to know he would talk when he was ready.
“They haven’t done that while you’ve been gone,” he said, nodding his chin toward the ice. “Sometimes Onni would stay, but the rest of them?” He looked at Jamie. “You inspire them.”
Jamie exhaled. “I’m trying,” he said. “I know I haven’t been as good as Sharpie this year, but I’m trying to lead them.”
“The truth is, Sully–and I don’t want you to take this the wrong way–a lot of them are better than you. On paper, at least a third of the guys on this team have more skill than you’ve ever had. But you have something intangible. You’re our second line center because you take what talent and skill you do have, and you match it with hard work. Real, gritty, hard work and determination. These guys see that. You show them the things that matter beyond the skills, beyond the shit you can get good at alone in your garage. You model work ethic. The willingness to keep striving. You teach them to not settle for “good enough.” To have integrity. You show them what it really means to be a pro. What it means to be a good teammate and a leader.”
Jamie opened his mouth to protest, but Coach cut him off. “That doesn’t mean do more, Sully. You already do enough. Keep showing up and doing the things you’ve always done. Do your job on the ice, and everything else will fall into place. Just you being here makes the whole team better.”
Shifting his stick from one hand to the other, Jamie triedtugging at his hair but his helmet was in the way, and his bulky glove kept him from getting a good grip.Dammit.
“Thanks, Coach,” he managed. “I…I think I needed to hear that.”
Coach Hollister nodded, clapping him on the shoulder pad. “Nothing wrong with needing a reminder every now and then.” He raised his graying brows at Jamie. “I don’t want to see any more of that garbage you were doing on the ice at the beginning of the year, got it?”
Jamie snorted. “Got it.”
“Now get your ass out of here. I want to go home.”
“Yes, Coach.”
Jamie plodded down the quiet hall toward the locker room.
After he cleaned up, he’d head home, and finish the last of the gift wrapping. Early Christmas morning, he’d drive up to see his dad and step-mom. Every year they made waffles and opened presents at their house before a big lunch with extended family. Jamie didn’t get to see his dad very much during the season, and looked forward to Christmas with their family every year.
This year, though, Jamie caught himself wondering when he’d be back in Madison. Maybe, if he got back early enough, he’d get to spend some time that evening with Tyler and Rowan.
As he walked into the locker room and joined the guys stripping off their gear, he had an idea. He looked around until he found who he was looking for. “Oi, Cheerios!”
Ollie and Onni looked up at the same time from where they were sitting side by side in their base layers. It was almost creepy, the way they moved in perfect unison.
“Mind helping me with something tomorrow?”
Oliver tilted his head, sweaty brown hair flopping onto his forehead. “Will there be snacks?”
Jamie rolled his eyes, huffing out a laugh. “Yes. I’ll make sure to provide snacks.”
CHAPTER 18
TYLER
BEST SURPRISE EVER
