Page 48 of Just One Bite
“Uh, yeah. This is huge.”
“I know. I meant, you’re certain you can handlethat?”
“Yeah, I’ve been working hard, practicing every day—”
“It takes more than that to be a team captain. We’re talking about real leadership here.”
“I know. I can do it.”
“Good then, son. Congratulations.”
He’d have a heart attack on the spot if he ever uttered the words “I’m proud of you.”
“Things will be different this year. You’re playing a completely different game. Being a leader is more than being a good player.”
“Yes, sir. I know, Coach.”
Last year, Doxlothia had a record-book year. Our team was solid from front to back. It will be hard to follow up.
He uncrosses his arms. “I know you do. You’re more than capable. I’m just waiting to see it.”
Him and me both. I’m starting to think I’ve tricked everyone who’s ever met me. Somehow, I made it on the most successful Rage team, we won the tournament, and then I was chosen for team captain. It felt like a dream at the time, and now I’m still in the dream but not waking up. And the dream is gradually getting harder and morphing into a nightmare. How am I supposed to get the team ready for the season, let alone continue our streak at the tournament?
And if I do mess up, my chances of going pro are basically nothing.
“I can do it, Coach.” Hollow words for an undercover fuckup.
I’m secretly a choker, and no one has figured it out yet. But only because the ripe time for my misery hasn’t shown itself; the universe is waiting for me to show my ass to the world. What I wouldn’t give for just one phone call with my mom to talk to her about it all. Her pep talks were the cure for everything.
“You’re ready, Parker. You gotta believe in yourself a little more. Your team needs you. I know you got your hands full this season, but we’ll get things in shape.”
After a few more minutes of lecture, I leave him to go check on Zant who is bellyaching and wiping blood off his face with a towel.
I move to sit next to him on the bench.
“You know … I told you we needed to work on your groundwork.”
He glares first, then hits me in the shoulders. “Would you get me some blood, you asshole?”
“Already got it,” Chase says.
Chase whips around us and throws us a blood bag. We’re only allotted a certain number for injury, so we need to use them sparingly. His jersey is the only one without blood on it. He told me the reason he wanted to be goalie was to avoid fighting.
“Thanks, Chase. Everyone else besides Zant, let’s burn them out. Rapid fire. Sudden death.”
The guys groan in unison. Sudden death is the complete obliteration of the remaining strength in our muscles by passing the puck around till we literally can’t move. That’s how my captain taught me.
I sit next to Zant to ensure he doesn’t pass out. I’m going to have to finish sudden death regardless, might as well procrastinate.
“Worried about me?”
“Just making sure you participate in sudden death.” I wrap my arm around him, and he shrugs me off.
“You say I need practice, but you’re the one daydreaming on the ice.”
“I’m a model leader. I would never.”
“Uh-huh.” He wipes the bit of blood from his chin. “It has nothing to do with a certain Noxx House girl?”
