Page 69 of Slapshot
Coach Garfunkle silently shakes his head as I try to take the seat next to Kaitlyn on the bus. I slide into a seat halfway back and shove on my headphones. Then spend the entire ride back to Burlington stewing in self-pity.
I should have turned Declan down as soon as he offered. I was so shocked, and I didn’t want to be rude. And then there’s that small voice in my head that says maybe I didn’t because some part of me wanted to say yes.
Coach Keller waits until we’ve arrived in Burlington and are filing off the bus to stop me. “Hang back a minute, Vonne.”
Kaitlyn glances at me, but then goes with the rest of the team. I slump in a seat across from Coach. He’s discarded his jacket and tie. He looks older sitting sideways. His big frame takes up most of the space between seats. Resting his clasped hands in his lap, he starts in with a much nicer tone than I was expecting. “Do you know why we wanted you at Burlington?”
“Because of my high school stats?” I ask dumbly. It seems pretty obvious to me. I was offered spots on a lot of teams all across the country.
“Impressive as they were, you didn’t have the experience we usually look for.”
My heart sinks a little. I know it’s a statement of fact, but damn, it always feels like I’m having to apologize for it.
“You have something else. Something I admire even more than skill,” Coach says, and I hang on his every word. “You have tremendous heart. Your determination and love for playing on this team is a coach’s dream. I can’t give guys talent. I show up each day and make decisions that I hope benefits each of you individually, but ultimately, I have to do what’s best for everyone. It isn’t a job I take lightly. If I cut a guy, I know what it’s costing him.”
He pauses to let his words sink in.
Shit, am I getting cut?
“You are a talented kid, Lex. You don’t need me to tell you that. You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you had what it takes, but it was your work ethic and determination that brought you here. And if you want to be a contributing member of this team, that’s what it’ll take. Nothing less.”
“I do… want to be a contributing member, I mean.”
“What you do on your free time is your business, but when it affects your performance, you make it mine. I don’t want to see you and Kaitlyn within ten feet of each other at practice or games unless it’s about equipment. And I don’t want to hear about you two hanging out at the hotel or anywhere else while we’re traveling. She’s doing a great job for us, but if you pull another stunt like today, it’ll cost both of you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
“Understood?”
“Yes sir.”
* * *
I find the guys at the Biscuit. There’s already a stack of empty shot glasses on the middle of the table.
I take a seat next to Pax. “I’m sorry for today. I do appreciate how much you guys have helped me and I won’t let you down again.”
“Forget about it. We’ve all had off days.” Pax slides a glass in front of me and gestures to the pitcher of beer.
If only it were this easy to fix things with Kaitlyn.
We order more wings and shots and keep the conversation away from hockey. For once, I’m happy not to bring it up. I have no interest in reliving today.
I take Coach’s words to heart and don’t call or go see Kaitlyn. Maybe a night to clear our heads is the best thing for both of us.
Tomorrow I’ll do better. On all fronts.
21
Kaitlyn
On Saturday, I get to the rink early. I left a load of laundry in the washing machine last night and I still need to do one more load before the game today. I haven’t heard from Lex except a text this morning that said he wanted to talk after the game.
Through the grapevine, I found out that Coach threatened to bench him again today if he didn’t get his head straight. That was enough to keep me from reaching out last night even after I’d calmed down and decided I should hear him out.
I feel awful. AWFUL. I know better than anyone what this means to Lex. Maybe we’re more alike than I thought because yesterday was a classic Kaitlyn move in blowing up your own life.
I might be confused on how I feel about him working for my dad, but I know that I want Lex to succeed at something he’s worked so hard for.
