He shrugs. “I burned enough calories tonight to justify it.”
“How come you’re not going out with the guys?” I ask. I know he has on other occasions.
“Truthfully?” he counters.
I cock an eyebrow. “Is there any other way to be?”
Gage laughs. “I suppose not. Let’s just say I like a break now and then from the younger guys. Their idea of a fun time and mine aren’t exactly on the same level anymore.”
I can’t help but laugh as I know exactly what he’s talking about.
I make my purchase and wait for Gage to do the same. I really, really need to get to bed, but while I’ve got the opportunity, I want to see how things are going on more of an internal level with the team. While it’s more Keller’s purview than mine, he’s so hit-and-miss on how he deals with personal issues, I want to keep tabs on things. Keller’s either awkwardly overinvolved or he’s completely oblivious, and I’m not afraid to tell him things I see.
Spying a small coffee stand open on the other side of the lobby, I motion to it. “I’m going to grab some tea. Got a minute to chat?”
“Sure,” Gage says, and we head that way.
“How are things going with the guys?” I ask as we approach the stand. There’s no one in line. I order a peppermint tea.
While the woman prepares my drink, Gage fills me in. “Most of the younger guys up from the minors are bonding, as you can see by them all going out tonight. But a few aren’t assimilating all that well.”
I don’t know if he’s being purposely vague, so I ask point-blank. “Tell me who and how we can help them.”
“We, as in you and me?” he asks for clarification. And I understand what he’s doing. He wants to know if this stays right here and won’t get back to Keller because he’s not building a good rapport with the men.
“Just you and me,” I affirm.
The woman hands me my tea, and I slide on a cardboard holder so I don’t burn my hand. Since the lobby has cleared out, I head over to a pair of chairs in a corner where we can talk. After sitting down, I remove the cup lid and set the tea on the table to cool.
Gage opens his potato chips and starts munching. “First, Coen is a mess.”
I nod in agreement. He’s been a dick in most of the practices, and his play hasn’t been consistent. That’s totally explainable, though, since he’s got a whole new team at his back.
“When we go out, he’s drinking heavily and sometimes acting inappropriately.”
“Like how?” My level of concern increases.
Gage looks around the lobby as if trying to figure out how to phrase it. “You know how he was supposedly the fun-loving, outgoing, and super confident star? Loves the ladies, loves partying, and is a little cocky?”
“Yup. Lots of players like that.”
“Well, now he gets mean when he drinks, and he’s not all that fun to hang with. He still hits on the ladies, and they respond, but he doesn’t even try to be charming about it. I overheard him one night approach a woman who was with her boyfriend and asked her if she wanted to fuck. We had to step in to avert a fight. And he’s no longer cocky in that acceptable way. He’s arrogant and alienating. In fact, he didn’t get invited to go out with the guys tonight, and I saw him taking off on his own.”
Shit… this is not good. Now I’m torn because this could lead to some serious behavior problems, and Keller has a right to know. But I’ve promised Gage I wouldn’t say anything.
“I’ll find a time to talk to him,” I finally offer.
“Good.” Gage pulls a chip out of the bag. “Because Coen can’t stand Keller. That would be like throwing a match onto gas if he tries to handle the situation.”
“Just great,” I mutter, rubbing at my worsening headache. I really should get to bed.
But right then, Stone Dumelin walks by, hands tucked in his pockets, shoulders hunched. He makes his way to the elevator, keeping his gaze down so he’s not forced to talk to anyone. He’s been very standoffish since the new team was formed. Reminds me so much of Riggs, and one thing I learned in that situation, some ugly stuff was brewing in Riggs’s personal life that caused it.
Given Stone’s brother was on that plane, if anyone has the right to have fucked-up feelings, it’s him.
“What’s the deal with Stone?” I ask as we watch him disappear into the elevator.
“Completely dissociating from the team. He goes out on the ice, does his job, and then he’s done. To my knowledge, he’s not developed any personal relationships, although lord knows, I’ve tried.”
“It’s got to be tough. Losing his brother in the crash and then being called up to join the team.”