Page 161 of The Head Game

“It has alcohol in it, yeah,” August said. “Why?”

“Damn it. I’m thirsty and I was going to steal a sip. Never mind, I’ll go get something that’ll be good for me.” Nico rolled his eyes. “Be right back.”

“Was it something I said?” August muttered to himself as he took a drink. Everyone had ditched him.

He turned to go in search of someone to talk to when he came face-to-face with the team’s general manager.

“August Manning?” he said, holding out a hand. “Patrick Fleming. You can call me Pat.”

“Uh, great to meet you, Pat,” August said, shaking. Well, this was … awkward.

“How’s Nico holding up?”

“As well as can be expected,” August said slowly, not quite sure where this conversation was going. “He’s eager to get back though.”

Pat grimaced. “We’d love to have him in the lineup but that’s a long way out, no?”

“He’ll know more once he has his next follow-up with the surgeon,” August said. “But I’d imagine so.”

“The team’s in rough shape this season,” Pat said with a sigh. “With Hale still out and Nico gone, our defense is like swiss cheese.”

August nodded.

The Fisher Cats were on a five-game losing streak and were rapidly sinking to the bottom of the division. The only team doing worse was the Evanston River Otters. No surprise, since their entire top line had retired at the end of last season. They had some great players and a few new off-season acquisitions who were attempting to hold the team together—Shane Hurst was making some noise as their new second line center—but it was going to be a long slog of a season for them.

And no one expected them to have any shot at the Cup for a while. Rebuilds sucked.

“I can’t imagine it’s easy having guys like Hale and Nico out,” August said aloud.

“No. It’s good to see Nico here today though. It’ll help morale.”

August nodded.

“So this isn’t anything official,” Pat said. “But we were thinking about maybe offering Nico a spot in the head office until he’s ready to get on the ice.”

“Huh,” August said, considering the idea. “What kind of position?”

“Maybe in marketing or PR. He’s good with that sort of thing, you know. Kate suggested it and I’ve learned to do what she says. She hasn’t steered me wrong yet. She thought it would be good for Nico and the team. So he’ll be around them more.”

“He might like that,” August said, although he wasn’t entirely sure. Nico would certainly like being with the team more and having something to do. But was he ready to admit he had a much longer road to recovery ahead of him than he thought?

“Maybe don’t say anything to him yet until we see how things go with the surgeon and we have a better idea of his return to ice,” Pat suggested.

August nodded, because that was probably best. Although if Nico asked what they’d talked about, there was no way August would lie to him about it.

“Hey, skate is starting!” Dustin called out. “Everyone who needs gear, follow me!”

“Excuse me, but I think I’m going to get out there for a bit,” August said. “I haven’t been skating since Nico’s accident.”

“Yeah, of course. Good talking to you, Manning.” Pat slapped him on the shoulder. “Sorry to hear about the, uh, situation with the league. Damned complicated business, I guess.”

“It is,” August agreed, though that was putting it mildly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

As August put on his skates in the team’s locker room, seated between Matty Carlson and Jonah Brewer, a surreal feeling washed over him.

August wasn’t fully gearing up today. Everyone was going out in their casual clothes, only bothering with skates, gloves, and sticks.

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