We all stood tall and folded our hands behind our backs.
Coach began to zig-zag around all of us.
“We have practice right now,” Coach said. “I want to see a good fucking practice this morning too. If not, I’ll keep you all here until I’m satisfied. I want crisp passing. I want communication on both ends of the ice.” Coach paused and looked at me. “I want solid, accurate protection of the net. No fucking funny business.”
“Got it,” I said with a nod.
Coach’s eyes were enraged.
He was in a bad mood.
It could have been for any reason.
We all respected the man enough to shut up and listen.
“We also have a visitor today,” Coach said. “Our new GM will be showing up soon. For you who have been sleeping under a rock or sleeping in some woman’s bed…”
“To be fair, Coach, I’m dealing with a newborn at home,” Abel said.
“Learn how to control yourself then,” Coach said to Abel. “Not my fault you got someone pregnant.”
“Remi has a puppy at home,” Abel said.
“Shut up, Abel,” Remi growled.
Coach began to walk again. “You should know the name. Mr. Nowon. He’s done everything in the sport. From playing to coaching to managing. Alonso doesn’t take or deal with any bullshit. And while it may not be your business to a point, I want to make something very clear here. My ass is next in line. Do you understand that?”
“We’ve got your back, Coach,” Lay said.
“Hey, if you do get fired, Lay will shavebest of luckin his pubes for you,” Riff said.
“What?” Coach asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “Trust me, Coach, don’t ask.”
“I’m not going to ask,” Coach said. “Get out on that ice and do something special. What we do when nobody is watching is what makes us great when they are watching. Do you understand me?”
We all started to cheer and raced out to the ice.
I skated up and down the rink a few times just to get my legs moving.
Then I began to stretch.
I put my mask on and told myself to treat this like a game.
Pretend it was game seven of the finals.
Two minutes to go.
We’re up by one goal.
And I have to stop every fucking shot that comes my way.
I jumped up to my skates and smacked my stick against the ice.
Abel and Riff looked at each other and nodded.
Riff swept his stick across the ice and grabbed a loose puck.