Page 90 of Snapping the Ice
I dropped my jaw. Was Gagnon queer too? I had no idea. The guy hid it well with all the puck bunnies badgering him.
“Hopkins?” Coach planted his hands on his hips. “Enough chirping.”
“Be right there.” I hurried to dress in an athletic shirt and sneakers and then strode toward the coaching offices. What the hell did I do?
“In here.” Coach waved me into his office and shut the door. “Have a seat.” As he dropped into the chair behind his desk, I took a chair across from him.
Swallowing hard, I breathed through the butterflies in my gut. He looked serious. Had they traded me? How would I handle it with Ezra? I wiped my sweaty palms on my joggers.
“Hopkins, last night Arlo Berg was in a car accident. He’s okay, but his leg is pretty busted up and it looks like he might be out for the season.” He tented his hands over the desk and studied me. “There’s an embargo with the press until we know the full extent of his injuries.”
I gaped. How did this concern me? Oh…I shifted to the edge of my seat. I wouldn’t jinx it by thinking about it. “And?”
“And you’ve been playing next level, Hopkins. They want to try you at the next Cardinals game with the San Francisco Falcons. It’s in two days and at home. You’ll be playing second line with Nolan Laine.” A rare grin spread over his lips. “What do you say? You have a few days to practice with them, but your playing style is what they need.”
My heart skipped a beat and soared. “Yes, hell fucking yes.” Holy fuck, I’d play with Mason, Ace and Archer Carlson. Ifthis panned out, my dreams would come true sooner than I’d thought.
“Good. I figured you’d say that.” He opened his laptop, resting closed in front of him. “I’ll let them know. Tomorrow’s skate will be with them.”
“Thank you, Coach. I won’t let them down.” I hopped up from the chair and sauntered from the office. Wait until everyone heard about this.
Crosby and Gagnon met me in the hallway, Crosby saying, “You don’t look like a man who’s had his ass reamed.”
Gagnon planted his hands on his hips. “Well? I wait.”
“Arlo Berg is injured and they’re testing me in his spot.” Fuck, was I supposed to tell anyone? I glanced down the hallway. Empty so far. Clapping a hand on each of their shoulders, I leaned in. “Don’t say a word. Berg was in an accident and it’s not public yet.”
“Shit, is he okay?” Crosby wrinkled his forehead.
“I guess so. He broke his leg and might be out for the season. They don’t know yet.” It was a shitty way to get ahead, but this was hockey. It happened. I released them and stepped back.
“Good for you, man. I’m proud of you.” Crosby beamed at me.
“Me too, proud.” Gagnon pounded his fist on his chest and then on mine. “You get ‘em.”
“I will, thanks, guys.” I couldn’t wait to tell Ezra later. But now, I needed to finish packing my gear. I stepped toward the locker room and peeked back at Crosby, laughing with Gagnon as they left. Shit, I’d miss those guys.
After I came home and packed away my shit, I sat on the couch with a protein drink to review game footage of the San Francisco Falcons. I had to up my game. The NAPH ate up rookies like me.
My phone blared with a rock tune on the coffee table. Shit. I plucked it from the table and set it on speaker. It was Mason. “Hey, bro. Did you hear?”
“Think I didn’t? About fucking time.” He snickered. “You’ll do great, and I’ll make sure of it.”
I’d expect nothing less. “I’m not sure how much time we’ll get together on the ice.” Sinking into the couch, I sipped my smoothie, the cool sweetness of blended strawberries gliding down my throat.
Evan stepped from his bedroom. “Hey, Mason.” He stopped at the refrigerator and opened it.
“Hey, Evan.” Mason lowered his voice. “How is he doing with the news?”
“I’m cool with it.” Evan grabbed a Gatorade and sat on the loveseat. “Lucas deserves this. Far be it from me to be jealous over something like this.” He ticked his brows and drank some Gatorade.
“Cool, man. So, Lucas, Archer Carlson will call you. He’ll tell you how to handle these jokers from a D-man perspective, and also what you need to know about Laine.”
“Sure, I can’t wait to speak with him.” Of course, I’d have my brother’s squad behind me. I grinned at the phone. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, one more thing. When are you coming out to Mom and Dad? I got a call from them yesterday and they still don’t know.”
“Uh, I don’t know. I’ve been busy and I haven’t thought about it.” I glanced at Evan, worrying his lower lip. “They’ll becool with it, right?” I had to prepare for the next game. I didn’t have time to deal with this shit.
