Page 13 of Perfect Playbook

The NHL is a professional league where trading can happen nearly anywhere, anytime, even mid-season. There are only a few freezes in an entire year, on or off-season. Rumors are common, and it’s part of the fun and games our sport has to offer… for management anyway. Most managers have a ruthless approach. They aregrass is always greenertypes, and it can make the life of a hockey player highly unpredictable.

But I’ve been playing for the Scorpions for three solid years, and never once did something like this come up. I have Reggie to thank for that. The first year was tough, but after that, me and my best friend, Ashton, playing together has brought some good revenue to the club with small-town hero stories. The past two years I haven’t lived with the nearly daily question of a trade taking place and the prospect of leaving my home state again.

“It’s just a rumor?” I’m on edge.

Reggie knows how much I want to stay in New Mexico with Ashton this season.

He shakes his head. “A little more than a rumor. Your coach has been considering options with Scorpions management.”

More desperation creeps into my voice than I’d like, but I need this man to get me out of this. “I can’t get traded, bro. Not this season.Afterthis season…” I let out a stale breath. “Fuck… you got to do something.”

“No.Yougot to do something.”

I hang my head. This can’t be happening. Reggie’s voice wafts into my ears.

“Look. Everyone loves the story of two small-town boys playing together and possibly winning the Cup this year. With Ashton’s retirement announcement, the marketing department will be all over trying to keep you guys together for Ashton’s last season. Dollars talk.”

I lift my head to see if there’s as much hope in his eyes as there is in his words. This is a fucking knife in the gut.

He continues. “But your coach is done with the partying. He sees it in your play.”

“He fucking doesn’t,” I defend, but my underarms prickle like it’s a lie.

“That’s not for me to determine. But if you want to stay on this team… I know how important it is to you to play out Ashton’s last season with him. To have a chance at the championship together.”

Reggie is Ashton’s agent, too. I’m sure my friend had a mini breakdown when he told Reg he was leaving the game. I bet I’ll have one, too, when the day comes.

“Clean up your act, Logan. Just… do something to show your coach you’ve changed. And I highly suggest we stop booking appearances here in Vegas this season. If you want toresume that shit when the season is over we can have a look at it, but I think you need the integrity more than you need the money right now.”

I don’t even need the money anymore. I was in it for the escapism.

I swipe a palm down my stubble. “Yeah. Good idea.”

“Stay in Starlight Canyon whenever possible.”

I nod.

“And…” He pushes fingers into his eye sockets as though they’re communicating with his brain. “I’ve been thinking. Pulling away from this image is one thing. Pushing toward another would be…”

“What are you saying? Pushing toward another? Like what? You want me to become a bead mumbler or something?”

At that, he finally lets a laugh out of his nose. “You don’t need to become a man of the cloth, bro. Just. You know, something to convince Coach that you’re committed to small-town life and not big-city hustling. Something that will erase any ounce of doubt that man has in you.”

It’s an idea. But one that doesn’t exactly light up the bulb. Still, I can stay away from Vegas after tonight. That’s an easy change, and I can only hope it’s enough.

Reggie finishes his drink then rises, yanks down an incredibly expensive blazer to smooth himself out and I follow suit.

He pats my arm. “Take this seriously. There’s a lot at stake here, both personally and financially. Trust me, Lo, third string doesn’t earn your current salary. I’ll do what I can behind the scenes. You play the part on stage, and hopefully this noise will fade.”

I watch Reggie’s back sway away from me, both my attacker and my savior. I finally grab the attentionof the server and sit with a bourbon I don’t need but really feel like having. Reggie’s news weighs heavily on my mind, and as I sip the firewater I decide only one of two things will help me calm down—I can go out tonight and get annihilated, if any of my Vegas contacts are around. Or I can knock myself out with a sleeping pill.

My family has always said I’m extreme. I’m an adrenaline junkie, and as such, I’ve never been good at calming myself down. My mind flashes back to Shay earlier today. I hate to admit it, but I’ve never been so level-headed since I was in college during those months with her. She had a way with me. I don’t know why, but for some reason, the way she’d talk to me just made me stop spinning. She was such a straight-shooter and called my bullshit, told me when I was being stupid.

I wonder why she didn’t come tonight?

I’ve been coming to Vegas for years now, and it’s usually pretty easy for me to make a night out of nothing. All I’d have to do is buzz the VIP hosts at Taj Mahal and I’d have a party on demand.

It reminds me of the party I ditched. The one where Shay was not.

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