Page 46 of The Game She Hates

Frustration tightens my fingers into fists. I’m not one to give up without a fight, but Pearl leaves me no choice. She looks like she’s already made up her mind that we won’t work, and there isn’t much I can do about that if she doesn’t want to at least tell me why.

I say a half-hearted prayer before sinking into my sheets. I need to get some adequate hours of sleep tonight—tomorrow could be a big day.

If I’d known that accepting Jesus would lead me to this moment, would I have rushed into it?

My pride and ego resist, but there’s a nudge telling me I need to talk to him. I stride over to where Trent is, the clang of metal against metal echoing as players prepare their gear, the scent of sweat and equipment spray filling the air.

Everything about this moment feels routine, yet what I’m about to say is a first.

“Trent, can we talk?” I ask, my voice muffled by the loud conversations around us.

He glances over, his red eyebrows arching in annoyance. “You can’t wait for it to be official before you start gloating?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Stop pretending like you aren’t here to talk about captaincy. We all know that’s what the meeting and press release is about.”

“That’s not why I want to talk to you. Whether Coach announces me as the new captain or not, I’d like to turn over a new leaf with you.”

Trent’s ginger eyebrows shoot up again, and I can see the skepticism in his eyes. This isn’t something I’d normally volunteer for, especially because all the conflicts we’ve had were instigated by him, but I’m convinced I need to do it. “I’ve been hoping to be a better teammate, on and off the ice. We’ve had our differences, but nothing that should keep us at odds or affect our ability to work together.” I pause to let my words sink in. His forehead muscles relax slightly as my words seem to resonate. “I apologize for everything. I hope we can focus on being a team from now on.”

Trent gives me a strained smile and reaches out to shake my extended hand. I nod, turning on my heel, and head back to my stall.

“That was something,” Carson says, swaying his head.

“I don’t know what got into me, but it needed to be done. I’ve been tired of these petty fights for a while now.”

“Call it the Holy Spirit.” Carson shrugs.

“I’m not sure what he thought of that though. He gave me a weird look.”

“‘So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.’ Romans 12:18,” Tyler spits out a verse.

“Do you always have one of those ready to serve?” I jab him from behind.

“You’d be surprised how much of the Bible you retain if you make it a priority to read it every day. And with my kids, we memorize verses together. It’s become a big part of my life.”

“I struggle with reading. I doubt that’ll ever be like me.”

“There are so many options nowadays,” Carson adds. “You can listen to the audio version if that’s what you’d prefer. I do that when I’m working out.”

“I like that idea. I’ll give it a try.”

Coach enters our locker rooms to check on us. “Is everyone set?” he asks, standing tall in the doorway.

I look around and see everyone nodding. “Yes, sir,” we all respond in unison, looking sharp.

We file into the hallway and head to a meeting room where the board is waiting for us.

Coach takes his place at the front while we settle into the seats arranged in a round conference-room style.

“Thank you all for a remarkable season. This has truly been one of our best,” Coach begins, setting the tone for the meeting.

Glancing around, I catch Tyler’s smirk in my direction. The other guys seem focused, hanging on every word the coach says.

“With Tyler retiring at the end of the season,” I turn my attention back to Coach, knowing this is the moment, “we’ve selected a new captain to lead the Glaciers forward.”

Anticipation sweeps through the room. Coach continues, emphasizing the significant role the new captain will undertake, filling Tyler’s skates.

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