Page 111 of The New Guy
“Oh,” she says sleepily. “That’s nice.”
“Yeah.” I kiss her on the forehead. Then I leave Jordyn in her room, only to pace around my apartment. I’m still processing the end of the season. Hudson’s done. But so am I. If they’d won, I’d be back at work tomorrow taping ankles and palpating sore muscles.
But now I’m done, too, for eight whole weeks.
Just like Hudson. I wonder if he’s shell-shocked like I am.
I grab a sticky note and scribble a message on it. Then I step into the hallway and stick it onto his door.
Proud of you. Amazing goal!
Brutal ending, though. :(
Call me if you want to talk. No matter what time.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Hudson
Losing always blows.But this time it blows a little less, because I’m surrounded by a team that finally feels like mine.
We’re all at the tavern. The GM is buying drinks, and the coach is shaking hands. There’s lots of back-slapping and tired smiles.
“Everyone, gather ’round!” Coach Worthington says. He picks up a butter knife off the bar and bangs on his pint glass.
Everybody shuts up pretty fast, too.
“I just want to say that you should be proud of your season. We accomplished a lot together. I feel great about our chances next year, too. Train hard before I see you again in August. But first, I want you to be well-rested.”
That gets a round of applause. We’re tired.
“Before we part for the season, I want to give out one more game puck. Jimbo?”
The equipment guy pulls a puck out of his pocket and passes it to the coach.
“Folks, this one’s for Hudson Newgate. Not only did he have a great season with us these past five months, but his goal tonight was flawless. We’re going to have to find you a new nickname next year, though. Nobody can be the New Guy forever, yeah? Here you go, son.”
My teammates shift out of the way so I can come forward and take the puck from him. “Thank you, sir.”
“Terrific season,” he says to me, with a bracing clap on my shoulder.
“It’s been my pleasure to play for you this season.”
Everyone claps, and I can feel my face redden. It’s weird to suddenly be the center of attention. I shove the puck in my pocket and try to look humble.
But there’s no denying this is a big moment for me. I finally did what I came here to do. I played my heart out, and I gave it my all, and I made a difference to this team.
And for once, everybody knows it.
Coach ends his speech by thanking a few people, and then everybody goes back to drinking and carousing.
I finish my beer and look around. Castro and Heidi Jo are trying to get a game of darts going. Trevi is nose to nose with his pretty wife, deep in conversation. Those guys know who they’re going home with tonight, and they don’t have to hide it.
As I set my bottle down on a table, something crystalizes inside me. I can have what they have. Even if Brooklyn doesn’t offer me an early contract renegotiation, that shouldn’t stand in my way.
I want a real relationship with Gavin. And I’m willing to take some risks to have it. Next season is going to be different for me. No matter what.
It’s already past one a.m., so I shake a few more hands and then head for the door.
