Page 116 of Off-Ice Misconduct
I was a shitty team captain. Call you later?
Wolf Daddy
I insist, baby.
Fuck, no matter what happens, at least I have Luke. Is it too much to send him a heart-wolf combo? A lobster emoji? Yeah, too much. But I send him a ‘yes, Daddy’, and head to my doom.
The weight of Coach’s disappointment bears down on me like it always has, especially knowing I deserve it.He and Luke look alike when they’re disappointed.Never noticed that before.
“You gonna tell me what the fuck’s going on, McKinnon?”
“There’s been some issues between some of us,” I admit.
“Sounds like fucking drama to me, and I know the cure for that.”
Ugh, extra-evil drills during practice. I nod. “I’ll fix it, Coach.”
“You’re a team, McKinnon. It’s not all your fault.”
My head snaps up. He’s never said anything like that to me before. It’s always been all my fault. Well, except for the time he caught Shep and me fighting. But Luke was involved there, so…
“Sir?”
Coach huffs and shows me his phone.
Big Bro
If I don’t like what you’ve done to my boyfriend, I’ll crush you, Tate.
“Not fair, telling on me,” he says.
“I didnottell on you.” Though it probably doesn’t help that I can’t stop smiling. This might be the sweetest thing Luke’s ever done. I don’t need flowers and chocolates; I want a man who’s willing to crush his own brother for me.
“He’s right, though, but I know the team listens to you. It’s easier to go through you.”
“Easier on who?”
He sighs. “Yeah, don’t worry. Luke’s been chewing my damn ear off about it. You still have some responsibility as captain, McKinnon, but I’ve been dumping mine onto you.”
Fucking douchebag. I didn’t know. Didn’t even suspect it. I thought everything I was doing was expected of a team captain. I don’t say anything, and let my face say it for me.
“In my defense, you’re not the easiest bunch to manage. Plus, my way is smashing square pegs into round holes. Using you may have been wrong, but it was the nicest way.”
Which is probably something he learned through Luke, and why it made sense to him. The latter, I mean. Smashing square pegs into round holes sounds like what their uncle might have done. Ugh, I want to be more pissed at Coach, but even with Luke protecting him, his upbringing had to be shitty. Does it excuse what he’s done? No, but it’s a good reminder that nobody’s perfect, and we’re shaped by how we were made, destined to undo those patterns as we learn better.
“I’m not opposed,” I tell him. “But if I’m going to be speaking on your behalf, I’d rather work with you than be beaten into submission.”
“I’ve never beaten on you, McKinnon.”
“With words, I mean.”
“Okay, fair. We’ll consult, but it’s still a ‘what I say goes’ situation.”
I expect no less from a VanCourt. “Got it, Coach.”
“Can you fix the high-school drama, McKinnon?”
I nod. “I think so, Coach. I’m gonna give it my best shot anyway.”
