Page 74 of The Tape Job
“Hey Lee, could you grab Ryan for a sec, please?” Jen asks.
I didn’t even notice Jen standing next to Vicky because, as always, Vicky takes up my entire concentration. I slip into the dressing room and look around for Ryan and find him sitting next to Jani.
“Jen’s looking for you,” I say.
At first, I don’t think he heard me, but then he stands up and walks towards the door.
“He’ll come around,” Jani shrugs. “Has Coach spoken with you yet?”
“About what?”
As if by summons, Coach makes his way over and with a commanding nod, he beckons me to a quiet corner of thedressing room. “Preston. I’ve been talking with Jani, and I’ve decided you’ll wear his ‘A.’ It’s not up for discussion, but I think it’ll push you to consider your actions. I’m giving you a shot at leading by example. Don’t fuck it up.”
He’s gone in a flash, before I can respond.
“Good idea, yes?” Jani says, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I’m speechless. But there’s something bubbling inside me, and I know exactly what it is. I want to share the news with Vicky.
As if on cue, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Vicky
Coach just told me the news. Photoshoot on Monday. Congrats!
I smile, but it fades quickly because I don’t deserve it.
I think about it through the next two periods. What will I say to Ryan? It sort of feels like I’ve been rewarded for bad behaviour.
Ryan tries to avoid my end of the bench for the next two periods. Even during the second intermission, he busies himself chatting to anyone who will listen, which is out of character for him.
I’m feeling deflated when the final buzzer goes. I shake hands with everyone and, to my relief, when I get to Ryan, he fist-bumps me as he walks past. I follow him into the dressing room where we both sit in our cubby’s.
“I don’t want to argue with you, Lee but you seriously need to sort your shit out. Should I rephrase it to make it easier to understand?” Ryan says, as we wait for Coach to debrief us.
“Coach has given me Jani’s ‘A.’”
“I thought he would. Jani mentioned it earlier, it was his idea. And I think it’ll be good for you. Give you something to focus your attention on.”
Coach bursts into the room, grinning, pausing my conversation with Ryan.
“Great win, guys, but we can do better.” He pops a piece of gum into his mouth and chews before continuing. “Liam Preston will wear the ‘A’ that Heikkinen wore, just so everyone knows. It’s all been squared away, but please give him your support. Oh, and I’m switching the lines up. Betts will stay first pair, and I’m putting Koenig with Jones.”
There’s confusion and mumbling. Everyone looks towards Johnny, who’s fiddling with the end of his skate lace.
“Did you know about this?” I hear Bettsy ask Johnny. However, Johnny is not forthcoming with a response. But when Ryan catches my eye, I know we’re both thinking the same thing. It wasn’t Coach’s decision—it was an ask from Johnny.
Vicky
I’m hovering next to the players’ benches, and as soon as I hear the double doors at the very end of the corridor open, a jolt of excitement runs through me. Once Liam’s jersey had been fixed with an ‘A’ I planned a photoshoot at the rink. I invited Johnny, Danny and Pritch too, because I need a shot of the captain with the three alternates for the website.
I only saw Liam yesterday on the away trip, but we’re talking again, and it feels good. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again but my elation quickly dies when Johnny’s stupid face comes into view. He’s walking quickly, as if he’s in a hurry, and he’s coming in my direction.
“Vic, I wanted to talk to you before the others get here,” he says, dropping his gear on the floor.
“Well, I don’t want to talk to you.” I busy myself by rummaging aimlessly through my camera bag.
“How long are you going to keep this up?”
