Page 92 of Check the Halls
We wind up in a small office, maybe used for an equipment manager. He shuts the door behind me then walks around the small desk and takes a seat. He gestures at the chair opposite and I drop into it.
I’m not a hundred percent sure why I’ve been summoned, but if I had to guess, it’s because I requested the time off. When he denied my request and told me I was expected to be on the plane with my teammates yesterday, I didn’t argue. I didn’t utter one of the many expletives I had on the tip of my tongue when he confirmed I had to go. I just told him that I understood and hung up the phone.
Stetson doesn’t move so much as a millimeter as he sits in the chair that’s far too small for him. The man really is broad like a mountain, and just as stoney. I wait for him to call me out on not having my priorities in order. To tear a strip off me for requesting time I wasn’t entitled to. To ring me out for hanging up on him.
“How is your friend?”
The question catches me off guard. Not only because he’s never inquired about my personal life before but because Maddy is so much more than a friend. But I’m not about to attempt to define my relationship with the man in front of me.
“She’s doing well. Thank you for asking.”
He seems to be waiting for me to continue, but I’m honestly not sure what he wants to hear, so I decide to keep my mouth shut and let him say what he needs to say.
Coach clears his throat. “Good. That’s good.” He leans forward, arms resting on the desk as he regards me. “Look, Michaels. You’re off to a great start this season. You’ve always played well for me, but this year? This year you’ve really leveled up. And I’m not the only one who’s noticing. People throughout the organization are all talking about what an asset you are to the Otters. On and off the ice. This…charity work you’ve been doing, it’s gotten a lot of good press for the entire team. I just want to be sure that you’re not over-extending. Because you have a lot of years left in your career and if you keep playing the way you’ve been playing and setting a good example for your teammates, I see a captain's badge in your future.”
It’s like I’m on some kind of delayed reaction because his words don’t register right away. This is what I wanted. What I aspired to. I dreamt of this kind of feedback from my coach for years. It’s what I've been working towards. What I’ve been dying to hear.
But sitting here in this cramped space, the words don’t hit the way I thought they would. There’s no wave of joy or vindication. I thought that hearing these things was everything I wanted but now that they’re here, they leave me feeling hollow.
Coach is looking at me expectantly and I force myself to speak.
“Thank you, sir. I have worked really hard and I’m grateful that it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
He nods, looking relieved as he relaxes back into hischair. A small smile graces his lips, so brief I’m not sure it even happened.
“You had me worried,” he admits. “When you asked to skip the game. I thought you were going to refuse to play and I’d have to suspend you. I would have hated to do it. You’ve done so well and it would be a damn shame to see all your hard work be jeopardized by some passing distraction.”
Hearing the woman I loved described that way has my jaw flexing and my hands tightening into fists.
I hold his gaze as I’m the one to lean forward this time. “With all due respect, Coach, that passing distraction is the only reason I’m here right now. If she had asked me to stay with her, I would have. In fact, she insisted that I come. So I’m here. And I will play tonight. And again in two days. And two days after that. I will give everything I have to this team and organization that has given me so much in return. But I think you should set your sights on someone else for your captain. Because if the time ever comes where I have to choose the team or her, I will choose her.”
“Michaels, I didn’t mean to imply…I just want you to think about your future.”
“Madelyn is my future. I’m thirty years old. I’ve already had the career most guys dream about, but, realistically, how many more years do I have before I retire? Six? Maybe eight if I’m lucky. And that’s if everything goes well. I could get injured tonight and be done.”
He winces like I’ve slashed him with a stick. “Don’t talk like that, kid.”
“It’s not like I want to get hurt, but it’s a risk I takeevery time I step on the ice. You know that better than anyone.”
Coach Stetson’s jaw flexes, but he says nothing. He was at the top of his game when his Achilles tendon was sliced by a skate during play. That’s all it takes.
“I need you to know that I’m grateful every day for the opportunities I’ve been given. I love my teammates, my team, my fans. I love hockey.” My voice fractures, but I push through. “But I love her more. And if I have to choose, I’ll choose her.”
He considers for a long time before placing his hands on the desk and raising to stand. Instinctively, I stand too. I’m not sure if it’s out of respect or fear.
“Go get some rest,” he says finally. “Bus leaves the hotel at 1800 hours.”
“Yes, sir.” I give him one final nod before turning and walking out.
“Michaels?” Coach calls before I get far and I look back over my shoulder. “I’m glad your girl’s okay.”
“Thank you, sir.”
CHAPTER 31
MADDY
Then
