Page 42 of Playing to Win

“What did you find was the biggest difference?”

I considered. “The arena. The Blaze have a new space, and it’s nice. Really nice. This one is a little…” Was I messing up? Jayna didn’t look upset, so I continued. “Worn. It’s smaller, by a lot, and it’s older.”

Jayna turned to her coach. “Any comments?”

Coach lifted a shoulder. “I’d love it if we had funds for a facility like the men’s teams get to use. We use what we have. Nice to know that on ice we don’t differ that much.”

“You don’t,” I reassured her.

Jayna asked, “You didn’t find the women too easy to play against?”

If this was a trap, I wouldn’t fall for it. “They scored on me so I can’t say that. If I was playing against them, I’d watch a lot of video and bring my A game, for sure. The first line players are obviously good at scoring, but your second line center sees the ice really well. She’s one to watch.”

Coach nodded slowly. “She’s new this year and has really come on in the last month.”

“So, Coach, your starting goalie played a period for the Blaze as an emergency goalie. If Mitch here qualified, and you were down a goalie or two, would you play him?”

Coach narrowed her eyes.

Shit, this would be epically bad if the woman didn’t think I could play on her team, even just as an emergency backup.

Coach nodded. “It wouldn’t fly, but he can play.”

That was a relief.

“Thanks, Coach, for letting us bring Mitch in. Good luck in the playoffs.”

Coach turned to leave.

“Thanks, Coach,” I called after her.

She spun around and cocked her head at me. “I didn’t want to, not after that stunt you pulled after Faith’s game. But I support Jayna, and I hope she’s right about you.”

Chapter13

Farther away than you think

Braydon

Jayna’s parentswere coming to watch a game. They had enough money and flexibility to make it, while my folks were still arranging time off. I was nervous and worried that I might embarrass Jayna, when she was doing so much to help me, so it was time to get a new suit. I needed one anyway, now that I was with the Blaze, just to keep up.

After practice, while everyone was still pulling off their sweaty gear, I took a breath and asked, loudly, if anyone knew a good place to get one.

Conversation stopped and every eye turned to Cooper. He looked at me and nodded. “We’ll go after lunch.”

Shit.I didn’t mean to bother the team captain.

Petrov leaned over. “Is good to buy with Cooper.”

Really? It felt presumptuous to me.

* * *

Cooper was at the players’entrance, talking on the phone when I came out to the parking lot. He lifted his chin at me. “We’ll find you a suit today, but how about we also get something tailored for you?”

I could imagine how much getting something tailored would cost. “Um, I mostly want something for when Jayna’s parents are here for the next game.”

He rolled his eyes and spoke into the phone. “Sorry, it’ll be a rush job. Dark blue, I think—this one will need to be versatile. We’ll be there in ten.”

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