“Not ridiculous,” Tyler cut in.
“It is, a little bit. I’ve been playing hockey for so long, and I was out longer than this when I pulled my groin eight years ago.”
“So what feels different now?”
Jamie’s lips parted in a sigh. “I’m the captain now,” he started. “It means more. What I do out there…It’s always mattered, but now I’ve got to be better. At the beginning of the season I was trying to do too many things out there on the ice. I can see that now. But I can’t help but worry that I’m–that what I bring to the team isn’t enough.”
Tyler watched Jamie’s eyes. He saw the fear right there on the surface, even as the light was fading in the little tent. “We both know I don’t know shit about hockey,” Tyler said, grinning when he got a smile from Jamie. “But I’m getting to know you, and I’ve met your team, and I think if you asked any of them they’d say that you are the only captain they want. You’re a leader, Jamie, and you’re going to figure it all out. I know it.”
“I really want to kiss you right now,” Jamie said, giving him a fond smile.
A quiet laugh escaped him. “Sorry, Cap. I’ve got my hands full.”
Quiet settled between them. Rowan shifted in Tyler’s lap, burrowing his warm face against Tyler’s neck. Jamie watched them, his expression soft and fond and everything Tyler had ever hoped for.
“I’m going to be gone a lot,” Jamie said, breaking the silence. Tyler could hear the apology in his voice. “But I’ll give you as much time as I can.”
Tyler wrapped his arms tighter around Rowan. “I’ll be here. I knew who you were when I said yes to dating you, Jamie. I know what you mean to your team and to this town. I’m with you every step of the way.”
CHAPTER 19
JAMIE
THE GREAT CANADIAN SLUMBERJACK
Daniel: Welcome back, I’m Daniel Cummings, joined by my colleague, Tabitha Dunkirk. Tabitha, have you managed to get any barbecue yet?
Tabitha: I was able to sneak out after the morning skate to visit one of my favorite spots. You know how I like a good rack of ribs every time we travel to Dallas.
Daniel: Boy howdy do I ever. A word to the wise: never stand between my cohost and a plate full of baby back ribs.
Tabitha: Dan, I don’t think the fans tune in to hear your stories. Let’s get back to the game.
Daniel: Alright, Tabitha. You win this round. What are we looking at this evening?
Tabitha: Tonight, the Muskies are rejoined by their captain, Jamie Sullivan, who has been out for four and a half weeks with a hand injury that he sustained in an on-ice fight back in November. He practiced with the team just before the winter break and he’s out on the ice for warm-ups here in Dallas. All eyes are on the captain to see what he will do in his return. What should we expect from his first game back?
Daniel: All the reports we’ve gotten over the past few weeks have been positive, and at this point there’s no reason to expect anything but the best from Sullivan. Leading up to his injury, we had seen a drop inhis productivity on the ice, but I’d say that the optimism about Sullivan’s return is by no means misplaced.
Tabitha: The Muskies stand in third place in the Central Division, with Dallas hot on their heels. Two points tonight could go a long way toward securing a playoff spot for the spring.
Daniel: The Muskies also have the Winter Classic to think about. To face Minnesota, who currently leads the division, is a huge opportunity for the Muskies, and especially Jamie Sullivan, to show the league and fans of the game what their team is made of.
Tabitha: I know we’ll all be watching the captain closely tonight. We’ll be right back for puck-drop and live game coverage.
Jamie squirted water into his mouth, glancing up at the clock.
“Kolshnevich is slow getting back on the wing.” Beside him on the bench, Cooper Bell pointed to the Dallas player on the ice, raising his voice over the roar of the arena. “Next time we’re out there with him, you push up the middle and I’ll feed it to you.”
“You’re faster,” Jamie shot back, eyes never leaving the ice. “I’ll carry it up the middle, draw in Dwyer, and that’ll leave you one-on-one with Kolshnevich. That’s a matchup you’ll win every time.”
Cooper nodded. “Got it, Sully.”
Jamie tapped his stick against the boards when the third line came in for a change and the first line climbed over the boards. “Ollie, your positioning is good in front of the net,” he called down the bench as Oliver reached for a water bottle. “Stick with it. The rebounds will be there.”
The younger player shot him a salute and picked up an iPad to review his shift.
Jamie took a deep breath.Fuck,it felt good to be back. From the bench, the rink smelled like ice and sweat, the shouts of the crowd muted as he watched the players streaking up and down the ice.
