Page 59 of Riding Pine
He moves his book off the empty seat, and I settle next to him. “I wanted to ask about the sales figures. Some guys seemed anxious to hear that the mascot was driving more sales, and I don’t know why they’d ask you to share that info with us. We just want to play hockey.”
Coach sighs and nods. “I know. There’s no real reason for it, and I’m wondering if the owners even know what’s going on. The woman from marketing told me to share the report, and I did it against my better judgment.” Coach rubs his temples. “I’m hoping to get a meeting with ownership soon, too, because this made me more than a little uncomfortable.”
“Are the numbers real? Did the mascot merch really sell that well?”
I’m curious on Ben’s behalf. He gets a bonus, he said, and I don’t know much about sales, but it sounded good.
“I don’t see why they’d give me fake numbers to relay. But who knows? I heard the crowd loved Slappy, and our next three games had a 20% increase in ticket sales after the first appearance. Slappy could be part of it, and they insist he’s part of the team. Maybe that’s all it is. To show he’s helping the team.”
“Maybe. Are the new owners going to meet us at all?”
“I hope so. I understand why they haven’t yet, but hopefully soon.”
“Well… thanks, Coach. I just want to get home now. It’s been a long trip.”
Coach Nix shifts as he watches me with more attention.
“Someone waiting for you? You’ve been grinning at your phone all the time and staying in most nights.”
My cheeks heat as I nod. “Yeah, it’s new, and I really like him. Makes road trips a lot harder now. Before, I never cared.”
Some players don’t like to confide in their coach, but it’s always been my outlet. Without a family, sometimes you just need someone you trust to confide in or unload with. Coach Nix has been great so far in the short time I’ve played for him.
It’s right there to ask him if I’m violating any rules with Ben, but I hold back.
“Well, it looks good on you, but don’t let it distract you so much. You need to stay in the game even when there’s a loved one back home. We need you, Lukas.” His gaze shifts back to business. “You need to learn to put home life in a box during game time.”
“I know. I’ll talk with the sports therapists. Thanks, Coach.”
After returning to my seat, Burnsy is already asleep, and I try to do the same, but it doesn’t come. Ben and his love of skimpy underwear fill my thoughts, along with how he’s stayed in my bed and worn my clothes like it was the easiest thing in the world.
But mostly my thoughts fixate on how I’m disappointed he can’t meet me at the rink like the other families. I wanted him there, smiling and full of snark, so I could crush him to me and kiss him like I promised. I just want to have someone welcome me home in public.
It feels childish to be angry over something so simple, but I am. At least I know what’s been bothering me on this long ride now.
I’m jealous that Ben is the damn team beaver and can’t pay attention to me how I want. I never thought I’d see the day when I was jealous of a damn oversized rodent, but here we are.
Now I have to figure out what to do about it.
The bus pulls into the parking lot of the rink fifteen minutes behind schedule, and my eyes damn near pop out of my head.
The crowd is enormous.
Way more people than I’d expect for a quickly arranged welcome back rally. Scanning the crowd, I don’t immediately see Ben, but the smile on my lips is real despite that. We have fan support, and it only took a few weeks.
“Gentlemen!” Coach claps his hands at the front of the bus, and we pause in gathering our things. “I know you want to rush home for a much-needed rest and to hug your families, but please sign some autographs and acknowledge the fans out here for us. They came here for you; remember that.”
“They’re here for the beaver!” Someone at the back shouts, and I laugh inside. Probably true if the sales numbers are right.
“Maybe.” Coach shrugs. “But we had a stellar road trip, so pat yourselves on the back and don’t come to the rink until Monday afternoon. No practice on Sunday. You’ve earned it.”
That earns a hearty cheer inside the bus, and when the door opens, the crowd is so loud I feel like a rock star. The guys are loving it and signing autographs with smiles on their faces. Photos are taken, and just when I think Ben might have been here and left already, music sounds behind the crowd. A boisterous tune to make you jump and groove and announce an arrival.
Ben, well, Slappy, waves to the crowd before launching into a tumbling sequence towards us. The attention shifts from the players while the kids run over to him. He high-fives as many as he can before grabbing a sign from a woman nearby. When he holds it up, I laugh out loud.
‘Pine for MVP!’the sign reads as he jumps around and just acts like a nut. Even the adults are into it.
“Looks like you have a new fan,” Evans says next to me as he reaches for the Sharpie a fan is holding out and signs their jersey.
