Page 119 of Hat Trick

This is my home, exactly where I’m supposed to be.

THIRTY-THREE

LEXI

Me

Hey, Mav

Maverick

What’s up, Lex?

Me

Tomorrow is a big day for Riley. We’re going to try getting back on the ice for the first time since his accident, and I was hoping some of you guys could be there.

I’m not a great skater and shouldn’t be trusted with guiding someone.

And it would mean a lot to him to have your support.

Maverick

Oh, fuck yeah. I’ll rally the troops and we’ll be there.

Me

No cameras. No reporters. No cell phones. I don’t want this to be a media stunt, and I don’t want footage of him getting leaked anywhere.

Maverick

You have my word. What time were you thinking?

Me

Our sessions start around ten. I know you all have morning skate, so I was thinking we could hop on after the Zamboni cleans the ice?

Maverick

I’ll shoot Merv a message. He normally waits to resurface until later in the afternoon, but I bet he’s willing to make an exception.

Me

Who the hell is Merv?

Maverick

The Zamboni driver, obviously.

Me

You know his name?

Maverick

I’m captain of this team, Lex. I’ve made it a point to know the name of every single person in this organization. They know mine. Why shouldn’t I know theirs?

Me

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