In an ideal world, Tane would have stayed at home and ravished Jacob over and over again. Jacob felt the same way too, but to Tane’s delight Jacob said that he wanted to hit the ice at Pine Rise and show Coach Tremaine just how committed he was to the cause.
Tane decided that he and Jacob should travel separately to the Pine Rise complex, the thought of publicly stepping out as a couple not being something that Tane thought was wise just yet.
In fact, with the Cardini family still breathing down his neck regarding Jacob, Tane wasn’t sure when – or if – it would be possible for the two of them to making their situation official.
But that was a matter for another time.
Despite his initial reticence to hit the practice ice, as soon as Tane skated onto the lightning fast surface, he knew that it wastime to get his mind into gear and set the best example he could for his teammates.
However it wasn’t just Tane who was setting a high standard…
“Come on guys, let’s up the intensity,” Jacob said, firing off shot after shot. “We can bring the cup home this season. But every practice session has to have an edge to it.”
“Jacob is right,” Tane said, shooting his boy a sneaky wink. “We’re a good team. Very good in fact. But we’re not so good that we don’t have to put it all out there every day. Let’s fucking do this!”
With that, the squad of players roared their approval and the intensity of the session noticeably went up a notch or two.
Tane and Jacob had dovetailed perfectly together in setting the standard, and Tane was beginning to truly believe that Jacob could one day be the captain of the Toronto Enforcers.
Next season might be too early.
But one day Jacob will be captain.
And I’ll be the proudest old bastard in the world…
It wasn’t only Tane who was impressed by Jacob’s improving maturity either. As Tane, Connor, and Alex took a moment to refuel, the topic soon turned to Jacob…
“Whatever you’re doing to the boy, it’s working,” Alex said. “The younger guys relate to him, and he speaks so well. I can hardly believe he’s the same player who rocked up here with all that attitude.”
“I might be helping, but it’s all Jacob,” Tane replied, shooting a look over toward his boy as he helped a reserve player with adrill. “He’s always had the talent, but now he’s discovering what else he’s got in his locker too.”
“Whether it’s you, or him, or a combination of both… I’m glad,” Connor said. “Even at his cockiest, most irritating self, I could always see that Jacob had that God damned star quality. Warriors like me will die for the victory, but we need the skillful boys too.”
The three veterans laughed amongst themselves and talk quickly turned to how the Enforcers were going to navigate what was a tricky run to the playoffs.
And the more that Tane talked about the playoffs, the more he felt like he didn’t want this to be his last dance. The injury that had threatened Tane’s career and led him to miss the start of the season was now totally healed, and even Tane’s early morning aches and pains appeared to be subsiding just a little bit.
As Connor and Alex continued to talk, Tane looked off into the distance and contemplated whether he could reverse his retirement plan and go again for one more season.
I could do another year.
But my contract’s up and everything’s been announced.
And I don’t want to play for a team other than the Enforcers…
“Hey, earth to Captain Tane,” Connor said, playfully nudging Tane with his hockey stick. “I’m sure whatever you’re thinking about is interesting, but right now it looks like Coach Tremaine is going to lose his shit if we’re not back hustling in sixty seconds or less.”
Tane snapped out of his thoughts and skated over toward Coach Tremaine along with the other players. Tane knew that it neverhelped his performance to have too much going on in his mind, so all thoughts of reversing his retirement decision would have to be put to one side for now.
It was time to listen to Tremaine and focus his thoughts solely on the game against the Wild Cats that was coming up…
“They’re faster than us on the ice,” Tremaine growled. “They’re on a six game streak. They’ve got their home crowd on their side too. But the Wild Cats don’t have that Enforcers spirit. Never have, never will. We get into their faces from the jump, and I promise you that We’ll come home with the W.”
Tane was nodding in agreement as Coach Tremaine rallied the men.
And a quick look across to Jacob saw that the boy was deeply focused on Coach too.
After Coach Tremaine finished, the players began to skate off the ice and make their way toward the locker room. Tane put his hand on Jacob’s shoulder and took him to the side, away from everyone else.
