Page 6 of Dreams
Chapter Two
Josh’s phone rang for the third time that morning. He knew who it was.
His brother Ethan had been calling him for days. They hadn’t said more than a few passing grunts to each other in two years. Not since Ethan flew off the handle and hit his girlfriend at the time, Michaela.
Michaela was like a sister to Josh. Their families had been close for as long as he could remember. At one point, Josh thought Michaela was going to be his sister-in-law. He was happy about that until he realized it meant she’d be stuck with Ethan. The brothers, on the other hand, hadn’t been close since they were kids, with Josh leaving home at sixteen to play hockey and Ethan being an all-around tool.
Michaela broke up with Ethan moments after his outburst and things spiralled out of control after that. When Josh found out, he’d confronted him. Fists had been involved, leaving Ethan with a busted face. Coach hadn’t been happy about the fresh black eye Josh was sporting when he arrived for the game, but it was worth it.
Since then, Josh avoided Ethan the few times he actually went home. His parents steered clear of the topic, so he didn’t even know what was going on in his brother’s life. Not like he cared.
Josh threw his phone in his gym bag and zipped it up. Ethan could wait another two years as far as he was concerned.
“Dude, you ready to head out?” Josh’s roommate called from the living room.
He’d lived with Grant Mackenzie since he’d made the team. Mack, as his teammates called him, was two years older and the star center-man for the Jackets. Josh, on the other hand, was third line material. Most people considered that his ceiling. Countless articles inThe Dispatchtold him just that. He couldn’t do any better than ten goals a year and grinder duty. That didn’t stop him though. When he was younger, people said he’d never make the NHL, not with his skill level. They were right. He didn’t make it purely because of natural talent. He was there because he worked harder than anyone else.
“Let’s go,” Josh said, slinging his bag over his shoulder and meeting Mack at the door.
They started the short walk down Front Street to the arena. Living in the Arena District definitely had its perks. For one, they didn’t have to drive to practice. All the greatest restaurants were right around them. And the bars. Mack liked that benefit.
“So, Josher,” Mack started, “You actually going to be any fun this year?”
“If by that you mean partying when we have off days, the answer is still no.”
“Come on, man. Take that stick out of your ass.” Mack mimed plucking a stick from his own butt, catching the eye of more than a few passers-by. “You’re my best bro. I just want you to enjoy the finer parts of being a hockey god.”
“We aren’t hockey gods.” He shoved his friend away with a laugh. “It’s called being a professional. I’m in a contract year.”
“So am I, dude.”
“Yeah, but you’re Grant Mackenzie.” Josh fanned his face in mock swoon. “I don’t have that kind of cache. I just need to keep my head down and do what I’m paid to do.”
“You’re too serious.”
“Maybe.” Josh shrugged. “But it’s worked for me so far.”
They wound their way through the lower level of the arena to the locker room. They’d been back for a few days, doing fitness testing, but this was their first day back on the ice and Josh knew what that meant. They probably wouldn’t even be putting on pads. Skating drills only.
“Yo, Zak!” Mack called when they entered the busy room.
The small Russian came over, a grin spread across his face. Viktor Zakharov was only about 5’10”, which would have been small for a forward. He was a defenseman, a position where size was an even bigger advantage. He held his own though.
“You ready to sweat?” Zak asked in his thick accent. When he first started in the league five years ago, he didn’t speak any English. Now that barrier was no longer there.
“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Mack sighed. He wasn’t big on conditioning. It was the one knock on his game. They said he was incredibly talented, but perpetually out of game-shape.
“So, Mack, you actually going to score some goals for us this year?” Zak punched him in the shoulder and laughed.
“Dude!” Mack shot to his feet. “I was the leading scorer last year!”
“I didn’t get to raise the Stanley cup last year,” Josh joined in, looking at some of his other teammates. “Did you?” They all shook their heads, grinning.
The corner of Mack’s mouth tilted up as he poked Zak in the chest. “Maybe that’s because too many pucks get by you on defence.”
“Nah.” Josh laughed. “It’s all you, man.”
“Screw you guys.”
