Page 90 of Keeping it Real

“Howareyou?”Sheridan squeezed her friend’s hand.

“Grateful my dad was home and that he didn’t shoot anyone,” Claire replied with a humorless laugh.

They jumped from their seats and cheered when Alek blocked a shot on goal after it slipped past the stick of the new defenseman.

Claire groaned.“A big day for that kid.He looks frenzied, though.”

“Truth be told, they are all playing out of sync today.”

“Not surprising.There’s been lots of drama in and out of the dressing room.”

“So I heard.Do you know what was behind the fight with Brad?”Sheridan knew Alek was disgusted with the situation with Jackson.Still, she was surprised he’d confront his teammate about it.Especially if it might upset the team’s cohesive play.In Alek’s eyes, winning the Cup was the only thing that mattered.

Claire donned a critical look similar to the one Freya wore when Sheridan asked her the same question.“You really don’t know?”

She shook her head.“Freya said Henrik didn’t tell her.”

The other woman scoffed.“Freya is lying.They fought about you, Sheridan.”

The horn sounded to end the first period.

The Mayhem lost three zip.Alek’s streak of eight scoreless periods ended two minutes and thirty-nine seconds into the game.And he couldn’t even blame Merriweather’s replacement.Once the kid got past his first-period jitters, he’d played up to his potential.Too bad none of the team’s points leaders—Valentine, Gus, and Picard—did the same.They all seemed to be going through the motions out on the ice.

Alek included.

As a result, the dressing room was subdued when Coach walked in.

“There were some good moments out there.Unfortunately, there were some stupid ones, too.Valentine, that was a cheap shot you took.If you’re going to drop gloves and land in the sin bin, make it worth it next time.Lucky for you, Jensen and his line carried us on the penalty kill.”He looked at the new kid, Parker Dern, who’d been touted by many in the league as hockey’s next big thing.“Solid job tonight, Dern.Keep it up.”Coach handed him a puck.

The guys broke out in applause.

“Let’s put this one behind us, boys,” he continued.“We’ve got a three-game road trip that ends in sunny Florida and a full day off with our families on Thanksgiving.Pack up your gear, and let’s be on our way to Dallas for tomorrow night’s game.”

As soon as the coaching staff exited, Alek stood.

“Look, boys, we are going to have an off game here and there.The important thing is for us to pull together on this road trip so we don’t have a string of them.”He pulled the chain with the medallion out of his stall.“Without a doubt, the guy who deserves this tonight is Dern.Welcome to the show, Junior.Great game.”

His teammates all stood and applauded.“Speech.Speech,” several of them chanted.

Dern pulled the medallion over his head.“Man, what a great night.I’m stoked to be here.”

Alek bit back a chuckle when the kid’s voice squeaked.

Gus guffawed beside Alek.“Jesus, he’s still a baby.”

“The rookie needs a nickname,” someone called out.

“The way he parked his ass in the corner and kept the other guys out of the crease, I think we should dub him Park-His-Ass,” Picard called out.

They all started shouting “Park-His-Ass” at the top of their lungs, and the kid’s nickname was born.The mood grew a little lighter as everyone packed up their gear in preparation for the trip to Dallas.

“You good?”Alek asked Gus.

His friend sighed.“I can’t say I’m thrilled leaving my wife and kids at home after today.At least my in-laws will be around until Claire and the kids fly out later this week.”

“Do the cops have any leads?”

“Not that they’ve said.”Gus shouldered his equipment bag.“Everyone in my neighborhood has cameras.Van Horn and Kessler likely have the same setup where they live.It’s only a matter of time until they catch these guys.I’m sure it’s a relief knowing Sheridan and Finn are headed to Florida tonight, though.”

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