Page 31 of Of Pucking Course

More hollering and cheers.

“We’ve got one more game standing between us and the playoffs. What I saw tonight, I wanna see more of that the next time we play. Understand?”

We all holler, “Yes, coach!”

I pull off my jersey and start to yank off my pads when Coach Porter walks up to me. His expression is serious and unreadable, like it normally is.

I brace myself for him to give me a talking-to for missing that goal.

“Good effort earlier, taking that shot,” he says.

I’m quiet for a second. Porter isn’t the kind of coach to lose his shit on his players. He’s stern and no-nonsense, but he’s not a hot head. It’s why I like him so much as a coach. He doesn’t try to motivate us through fear orintimidation. Yeah, he doesn’t mince words, but he’s never mean.

I wasn’t expecting him to go off on me, but I wasn’t expecting him to be so supportive, either.

“Uh, thanks,” I say.

“Keep it up,” he says before walking off.

I take off the rest of my gear, thinking about what Porter said.

“We gotta celebrate,” Xander says.

“Fuck yeah,” Theo says.

“First round at Spanky’s is on me,” Del mutters as he unlaces his skates.

We all look at him.

He looks up at us, frowning. “I’m feeling generous.”

Xander grins wide and slaps his shoulder. “Aww, you gonna wine and dine us, Dirty Del?”

Del rolls his eyes, but I catch him cracking a smile. Xander pulls him into a hug, and Del shoves him away.

After we’re all showered and cleaned up, we walk out of the locker room toward the underground parking garage where the team parks before games.

The equipment manager, Will, walks past us. Behind him is Nathan, the assistant equipment manager.

“Good game, guys,” Will says.

The guys tell him thanks.

Nathan stops to talk to me. “Hey, thanks again for signing that jersey for my nephew. He loved it.”

“Happy to. Are you still planning on taking a vacation to Seattle with him in the summer?”

“Yeah, he’s excited to see the ocean. And the Space Needle.”

“If he’s interested in whale watching, a friend of mineruns a tour in Seattle. I can get you guys tickets if you want.”

Nathan beams. “That would be awesome. Thanks.”

“Yeah, of course.”

I tell him to text me and I’ll send him the details. I notice Will glaring at me before looking away, just like he did last time. He and Nathan walk off.

Del frowns in his direction before looking back at me. “Why was Will mean-mugging you?”

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