Page 113 of The Alternate Captain
“You’ve met her nan already?” Hutch says.
“Well, she lives with her nan. Which means it’s a nightmare to actually get any alone time. Since you’re a creeper, I can’t go for it at our place. You’d probably listen to us with a glass against the wall.”
“I most definitely would not,” Hutch says. “But you’re right. Living with someone else always makes sex difficult. Spontaneous sex anyway. I mean, I can hardly bring someone back and get down to it on the sofa, can I? Or the table.”
“Our table? Please tell me you haven’t.”
“No—but I’ve wanted to.”
The ball sails through the air and Liam catches it on his chest, flicking it with his shoulder to delight the crowd of guys watching him. Everyone whoops and cheers. But as I watch him, I wonder how often he and Vicky are sneaking around—if they are. Ryan and Jen moving out is an ideal opportunity for them to keep it up. I tried to gauge her reaction during the rugby match, but I couldn’t work it out. Though, on the topic of sneaking around—what if Vicky had to move in with me? I’d never be able to have Kelly stop over...not unless I could guarantee Vicky was out for the night. Regardless, she’d know I’d had a girl over.
I quickly snap out of my thoughts when the ball comes sailing towards me, almost hitting me square in the face. Butmy reaction time is good enough to head it into the direction of Danny, who knocks it towards Ffordey.
We switch things up and play a game where the first guy to let the ball touch the ground is out, and that takes us right up until we’re called through to the dressing room to suit up.
The energy is high again now, all thanks to the game of ball, and Hutch puts the portable stereo in the corner of the room and connects his phone, blasting out a playlist he made at the start of the season.
I take my phone out to text Kelly when someone taps me on the shoulder, and I turn on the spot, coming face-to-face with Robbo, a defenceman who plays in our third pair.
“Hey, Cap, can I have a word?” He’s fully dressed, bar his sweater, clutching his bucket in his hand as he chews at his lower lip.
“You okay, bud?” I ask, locking my phone and tossing it into my bag.
I can tell he’s anything other than okay, so I cock my head towards the dressing room door and signal for him to follow me.
The tunnels are teeming with activity, mainly the support staff setting up for the game, so I check in a small office-type space that looks empty, making sure no one is inside before stepping in and closing the door behind us.
Robbo stands opposite me, shifting his weight from left to right as he fidgets with the strap of his helmet.
I furrow my brow and give him time to get his words out; I know they’re right on the tip of his tongue.
“This is awkward, and I just want you to understand that I’m only telling you because it’s the right thing to do. I’m not a grass, though, for the record—and if it was anything else... shit. Cap, can you do me a solid and not tell him I was the one to tell you?”
“What’s going on?” I ask, standing tall.
“I think I saw Rodgers with some pills. I mean, they could have been something innocentbut—”
“Ah, shit. I was afraid of this,” I say, rubbing the stubble on my chin.
“Do you know something?” Robbo asks.
“You remember Wes Smith, right? We played together a few years back, and we sort of keep in touch—I mean, as much as most guys do now we’re playing on opposing teams, but anyway. He called me and mentioned something about Rodgers and—actually, I’ve probably said too much. Let’s keep this locked, right, bud?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“When did this happen?”
“Earlier today. But I mean, I don’t know the full story—he could be on meds or something.”
“Leave it with me,” I say, patting him on the shoulder before reaching for the door handle.
Instead of heading back to the dressing room, I make my way towards the benches, hoping to find Coach there.
As soon as I round the corner, I spot him standing, heads together, with Springy, the assistant coach, as they study something on Coach’s clipboard. He looks up when I approach and beckons me towards him with his hand.
“Come and see this, Koenig,” Coach says. “What do you think about changing the power play unit?” He flashes the paper at me.
“What’re you thinking?” I ask, trying to keep my tone level.
