Page 29 of Riding Pine
Coach is smiling, and I’m not sure why. It’s taking me too long to process his words. When I do, I need to grab the back of the chair when my knees wobble.
“Team Captain? Me?”
He laughs at my shock.
“Yes, you. You’re a natural leader, Lukas. The others look up to you, and you’re always helpful but firm. You control the plays without realizing it. You only ever fight when it’s necessary and you have a good head for the game. You should wear the C.”
I’ve never been offered such a role on a team before, and my tongue seems to be tied. Some men wouldn’t want it, but to me, it’s the honour that comes with it, and to know my coach thinks I have what it takes when my usual role is to throw weight around and fire punches more than pucks? Hell, I’m almost in tears.
Coach offers his hand to me.
“You deserve it, Lukas. Congratulations.”
Taking his hand, I grip it tightly.
“Thank you for believing in me. I’m…I really am speechless, Coach. This is the next best thing to winning the cup, you know? But is management okay with this decision?”
Coach tilts his head.
“Why do you ask that?”
“I’m not a star forward. I use my size and fight more than anything. Not exactly captain material and the face of the team.”
Coach smiles again. He reminds me of a dad speaking patiently to a toddler.
“Lukas…you’re more than that. You have the stats to back it up. You have enough ice time under your belt. Just because you fight when we need some old-school hockey doesn’t mean you’re not qualified to guide a team on the ice.” He steps forward and squeezes my shoulder. “Management brought you here because they believe in you, and so do I.”
Coach sounds convincing, but it’s been a long time since anyone has believed in me like this. Maybe even ever.
“I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Now go eat, and I’ll introduce you formally at the team meeting.”
I leave Coach’s office with a renewed pep in my step and optimism for the year. I’m so excited I could burst.
And I want to celebrate this, so I text the man I think of most often these days.
Lukas:Are you up for celebrating with me tonight?
“Yo, Piney! I saved you a seat!”
Smitty waves across the room at me, and I wave back as I get my plate from the buffet station and load up. As I settle across from him, he leans over the table with a grin.
“The talk is you were in Coach’s office after practice and you mighta been talking about the alphabet.”
I laugh at Smitty’s attempt at code words and shovel food into my mouth to evade the question.
“Okay. I get it. Lips are sealed. That’s fine.” He leans forward again. “I’m gonna make a call before the meeting, but I hope Iseeyou later.”
He smiles, hoping I’ll bite, and I shake my head. “I’ll save you a seat, Smitty.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and while I finish eating, I fish the phone from my pants, and all the breath exits my lungs.
Ben:Is celebrating code for more fucking? If yes, sign me up.
Lukas:I’m home early tonight. My place or yours?
Ben:Smooth. I’ll come to yours when I’m done here. It’s probably time I saw where you live. Text me your address. Around 8-ish?
