My gaze is on the ice as we all skate out to the center of the rink. I feel the warmth of my friends around me, but I wonder if there are players who think I’ve hogged the spotlight and shut them out. I’ve always tried to be inclusive.
It’s a cringey feeling, and I don’t like it at all.
“Merritt, Hancock, Price,” Coach Leek calls them up to the center.
Wade Merritt is a stellar defenseman, while Donovan Price is our team captain and a strong left winger. John Hancock—yep, that’s his name—is one of our best centers. He’s always with us on plays.
Owen, Gav, and I fall back to see what they’ll do.
Coach Leek directs them through a variation on the 1-3-1 play, which is a lot like our T3G play. Price brings the puck straight down the ice, sending it over to Hancock while Merritt does a switch-hit play, moving from defense to offense and slamming the puck into the net past Akers.
I’m starting to feel bad for my old goalie buddy. He’s catching a lot of flak for all this switching around. At the same time, I think I get where Coach Leek is coming from with it. Mixing up our plays is a great strategy at this time in the season.
“They know what to expect from you two.” He nods at Gavin and me. “Less from Stone, since he’s new. We need to bring some new blood forward.”
We all nod in agreement.
Whatever he thinks coming in here, the Champions have never been about one player, a.k.a., me. I’ve always done my best to let everyone shine. I can’t help it if my jersey number is the most popular one in the stands.
I’m looking down at the ice, grinning at the thought when Leek’s sharp voice pulls me out of it.
“Something funny, Murphy?” he snaps, and I wonder what I did to get under this guy’s jock strap.
“No, sir,” I answer fast. “I like what you’re doing. It’s smart. We need to mix it up, keep the other teams guessing.”
“I appreciate your vote of confidence.” He casts ice-blue eyes over all of us. “Now get out there and show me you know how to play like real champions. Show me you deserve to win.”
Gavin clears his throat, and his eyes land on mine. We both nod. Yep, this guy is not what we were hoping for when we heard he was a former all-star.
“Probably had a shitty head coach,” Owen grumbles under his breath. “It’s always the assholes who came up under assholes.”
“You’re such a dad.” I give him a shove.
Gavin laughs, agreeing quietly. “Lucy isn’t even a year old, and I’m already thinking the same.”
Stellan Leek’s whistle blows, and we put our heads down, digging in and chasing the puck.
For the first time in a long time, the weight of the game doesn’t feel as heavy on my shoulders, and unexpectedly, I kind of like it that way.
A female isat the bench waving her hands and calling myname. Only, I recognize that gray skirt and matching blazer. As she waves, her dark hair bounces around her shoulders.
We’ve gone up and down the ice learning new plays that don’t put Mav and Gav (and Owen) in the spotlight. Owen is complaining that he’s getting guilt by association with us, but he’s still getting out there.
It’s his first season with the team, and he’s proven his strength as a solo player. He was traded up from the minor leagues in the fall, so he should be in the middle of whatever Coach Leek is trying to prove.
“Your photo shoot!” Haddy stage whispers as I glide past where she’s standing. “Everyone is waiting.”
Turning to the side, I do a quick stop that sends a spray of ice against the boards. “I have to go, Coach. Publicity.”
Stellan Leek’s brow lowers, and he glares at me like I’m a black beetle on his white linen suit. “You have towhat?”
Haddy steps forward, and I gotta hand it to her, she’s a lot braver than I thought. “I’m sorry, Coach Leek, Maverick is needed in the Memecoin Lounge for a photoshoot with Memor-eez neck guards. He’s actually late, and we need him to get out of his gear and get over therestat.”
Stellan Leek stands to his full height, making even a tall woman like Hads seem petite. “Maverick Murphy is needed on the ice to practice for our upcoming game against the Tornados.”
“I appreciate that, but this sponsorship is in his contract. The representatives are all set up, and they’re waiting on him now. If you prevent him from making this shoot, you subject the entire Champions organization to litigation.”
Our new head coach doesn’t speak for a full thirty seconds, the entirety of which, my cousin stands in front of him, arms crossed and pressing her lips together.
