Oh, fuck. I brace myself for whatever Coach Harrison is planning to throw at us.
He’s known for his epic punishments. But I don’t think he would bag skate just four of us, right?
My old coach would make us work with the sports equipment team if he wanted to make us pay for some real or perceived infraction. Nothing like a whole season washing jerseys and jock cups that makes you reflect on your own actions.
“Coach,” Tucker pleads. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do. But please don’t punish my teammates too.”
Shut the fuck up, dude.
I don’t say it out loud, but I’ve been here less than a week and even I can tell that arguing with Coach Harrison will only make whatever trouble you’re in a million times worse.
“Too late, Prescott.” The glee in our coach’s tone makes my worry skyrocket. “If you ladies had any plans for the rest of the day, cancel them. Meet me at the main building in thirty minutes and you better not even think about being late.”
A collective groan echoes in the half empty ice rink. Today was the only day of the week with just one practice. Ourteammates get the rest of the day off, but we just lost it to whatever Coach has in store for us.
“Can you tell us what we’ll be doing, Coach?” Shayba asks.
One corner of Coach Harrison’s mouth quirks up in a lopsided smile. “The Star Cove Shooting Stars director has found herself in a bit of a pickle. The mayor and the sheriff were supposed to serve as judges for the final day of the cheerleading team’s auditions. Unfortunately, they are unable to make it, and so are three other judges who are stuck in Atlanta, where the airport was closed this morning due to an air traffic control strike. They are in dire need of five judges, and they asked me and four of my best players to come to the rescue. I didn’t have the heart to refuse, since we’re supposed to become one big family and all.”
The words tumble out of my mouth before I can think better of it. “I don’t know anything about judging a dance competition.”
Coach Harrison’s smile turns into a frown. “Fuck knows if I do, Belkin. But we’ve been asked to help, and the dean was clear that we need to please our new sponsors and help with the effort of bringing an NHL team to our town. Since I don’t have anybest players, I decided to wait until one of you heathens pissed me off today and see who else was around.”
Great. I guess it could be worse, though. Judging a dance audition doesn’t sound as bad as laundry duty or bag skating.
“See you all in twenty-five minutes, and you better look presentable. The event is being filmed.”
Once Coach walks away, we all file into the now empty locker room to drop off our gear.
“I’m gonna go shower in my room.” Tucker says. “I think Coach wanted us to wear a button down or something. I only have sweatpants and a t-shirt here.”
“Actually,” Mack Shayba says. “We should probably wear our new suits. I bet the producers will dig that.”
Colsen agrees, and I guess it isn’t a terrible idea. At least it takes away the guesswork about what Coach meant by “presentable.”
Tucker and Colsen are whispering between each other as I fall into step with them.
“You sound very upbeat for someone who couldn’t concentrate during practice.” I say to Tucker as we reach our apartment building. “I didn’t see you drinking last night, so I assume the painkillers you got at the hospital are messing with you?”
Rather than picking up on the resentment in my tone, Tucker smiles.
“No, my mom just gave me regular, non prescription stuff after the sedative she used when she stitched me up. She knows I have to stay sharp for practice.”
I don’t get it. “Then why were you so unfocused today? Coach was right, you were more holey than a sieve.”
Our goalie sighs after closing the apartment door behind us. “You’re right, I sucked today. But I wasn’t hungover or tired. I was just a little distracted.”
Mack intervenes. “Something on your mind, Tuck?”
“I met someone. The girl who shot me by accident. And I can’t take my mind off her. She texted me last night to check how I was doing, and we ended up talking for two hours. She was nervous about today. She’s auditioning for the cheer team and she made the finals. So I’m kinda happy that we’ve been asked to judge.”
I’m a little confused. “You like the girl who shot you?”
Tucker nods. “Dude, you went home early on Saturday night. But seriously, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and she’s so funny, and she doesn’t take any of my shit.”
“Yeah, but didn’t Colsen hook up with the girl you’re crushing on that same night?”
It’s none of my business, but I woke up to some very interesting noises last night. It sounded like Tucker’s dream girl and Colsen were having a good time.
