Page 154 of Call the Shots
GONE THROUGH SHIT NO ONE ELSE HAS
After takingCoach Fuckhead to the police station and leaving him in Cleo’s capable hands, we returned to the Colo. It was time for practice, but we had something way more important than that. We ripped down every one of those bullshit signs, all of the shitty posters, and kicked out the assistant coaches who did nothing to help us.
It was honestly incredible.
We disbanded for classes, and I was on top of the fucking world with June at my side, jotting down astronomy notes until we could head back to my new favorite place.Ourarena.
Denali skipped class to break into Vernon’s office and rooted through his paperwork and files. I couldn’t believe everything Vernon had kept from the team. There was our game schedule that he never bothered to show to us, there were the budgets outlined for our arena, our equipment, and clear signs he’d delayed our checks over the semester.
June dragged in a recycling bin to keep for evidence, and we dunked in papers, simultaneously cleaning the arena from its infection. We scrubbed any mention of his name and cleaned the wound.
On a giant whiteboard in Vernon’s office, Denali scribbled in our schedule for the rest of the fall, stepping back to gaze over the lines of games we had. He twirled the marker between his fingers. “We’re going to go down in fucking history,” he muttered to himself. “We’re beating every record, we’re coming back on top, we’re bringing hockey to Houston. Fuckinghistory.”
“All we need is a new coach,” June said excitedly. “It’s been done before!”
“And we’ll dominate the Gulf Coast Cup,” Denali reminded us, glancing back at the room, packed with our team. “Why? Because we’ve gone through shit that no one else has. We’re the underdogs and it won’t matter when we get our trophy!”
June ordered pizza fromGianna’s,and I looted Vernon’s liquor cabinet, cracking open the lock with the fire extinguisher. Bottles were popped, music pounded the walls. I poured out two paper cups of scotch and found June mid-hug with Montoya.
“You’ll have a real coach now!” June stuck her tongue at me. “You’ll actually have to practice!”
I groaned. “The whole reason I got into hockey was to sit on my ass!”
Her giggle was magical while everyone was in the throes of celebrating. My teammates grabbed my shoulders and side-hugged me, everyone was jonesing to get me in their videos, but I only had eyes for June.
“I’m not drinking,” she explained when I held out her drink again. “I’m figuring out my triggers and I think alcohol is a big one.”
Montoya got her scotch, and I dug through Vernon’s mini fridge, emerging victorious with orange juice. Drinks ready to go, June clinked her paper cup with mine.
“Happy hockey season,” she murmured.
I downed mine in one gulp. “You’re required to attend our games.”
“Good. Hockey’s growing on me.”
“Is that the only thing?”
“Well, Denali’s beard isn’t.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m whacking it off in his sleep, I’m so tired of seeing chips in it.”
I burst into laughter and poured myself some more expensive scotch. “I have to be growing on you too. Just a little. So you better ask me to be your date for your dad’s inauguration—oh, that laugh’s a great sign. I accept the invitation.”
“My dad’s not winning the election,” she giggled.
For a moment, I didn’t think I heard her. “Huh?”
June’s eyes slid to the door, and I glanced back to see Cleo, motioning us away from the party. When she gestured to Denali, I grabbed him too, and we headed to the empty break room together.
CHAPTER 58
BEAR
TOOTH AND CLAW
It wascrazy to think of how gross the Colo used to look while we slid into the hard metal seats of the break room. No mold, no blood, no biohazardous waste. I grinned, taking the chair next to June, feeling pretty goddamn good.
“What did Marrs say?” Denali grinned.
Cleo was always well-prepared. Her purse had a two-hundred-piece first aid kit. Yet for the first time since I’d known her, she looked unsteady. “This will be a national scandal.”
