Chapter 25 Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
MATS
WE’RE SITTING AROUND THE DRESSING ROOM AFTER PRACTICE, READING THE brEAKING NEWS STORY in the Messenger.
No names, but it says that drugs were being sold by a former player from the men’s team, and that a player from the women’s team has been suspended for suspected drug use in relation to the case.
Who are the players involved? Did Andy write this? Bergy asks Sinc.
He shakes his head. They have a news department for stuff like this. She didn’t even tell me it was coming.
There’s a story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune too, says Zee, as he hands me his phone.
This story is equally vague, but it names the suspected drug dealers as two men from the Hillsboro area.
Cleo’s hometown is small enough that it won’t take long before everyone knows it’s her and her brother.
Or they’ll realize that she’s the suspended player the next time the Minks skate onto the ice without her.
Hillsboro? Who on this team was from Hillsboro? asks Coty.
Jordan Nelson, answers Swanny, the first person able to search last year’s roster.
That piece of shit, says Schmidty. Well, it’s kind of a relief that it’s him and not someone we liked.
But does that mean the suspended player on the women’s team is Cleo Nelson? asks Bergy.
Everyone looks at me. Most of my teammates aren’t even aware that we’ve broken up. It guts me that she’s going through all these problems by herself. Sure, she has lots of good friends, but it’s not quite the same.
There’s no way that Cleo has ever taken drugs, I state firmly. To offer an alternate explanation, I add, But I’m sure her brother would throw her under the bus if it meant saving his own skin.
Most people nod at this. I’m still piecing together everything that happened, since I can’t ask Zee, but it seems pretty clear that Cleo is the collateral damage. Everyone continues to talk about the story in low voices as we dress and head out.
Sinc and I walk home together.
I wonder if I can do anything to help Cleo. Do you think Andy has more information? I ask.
He nods. She’s been acting a bit odd lately. I was worried that I’d done something wrong, so I’m kind of relieved that this is what it turned out to be.
They probably asked her for background info. If she can tell you more, now that the story is out, I’d appreciate knowing.
Okay. Do you think Cleo knew about this before? Maybe that’s why you guys… He spreads his hands apart. Sinc knows we broke up, but not exactly why.
No. I’m sure she was blindsided by this. If I thought her family was awful before, it’s nothing compared to this. How could anyone who understands Cleo jeopardize her hockey career? She must be devastated.
When we get home, I send a message to Cleo, offering my help in any way, but I get no response. Not surprising, since I’m the one who told her to back off and give me space.
So, I decide to call her best friend instead.
Mats? Quelle surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure of this first-ever call? Becks asks in mock shock.
I pull out my ready-made excuse. I promised to tell you when Minnie was available for adoption. She’ll be ready next week.
Oh, the kitten? Okay, I’ll let my roomies know. All of them, even Cleo… Becks lets her voice trail off.
How is she doing? I tried messaging her, but I didn’t hear back.
Becks laughs. Now we get to the real reason you called. Well, there’s good news and bad news. Cleo’s okay. She had to turn her phone off because she was getting bombarded.
Shit. Not reporters or anything?
No, mostly family bullshit. Because the really good news is that she told her toxic family to fuck off.
That is good news. Although I didn’t want to be the person who came between Cleo and her brother, I’m glad she’s stood up for herself.
What’s the bad news? I ask.
The bad news is that she’s really come down hard after everything that happened.
She feels like she’s letting the team down, even though we’ve been reassuring her that it’s not her fault.
And she thinks she’s going to have a reputation as a cheater now.
She’s so worried about the playoffs. Since she can’t train with us, she’s been in a terrible mood without those exercise endorphins.
She’s gone from being an optimist to… She pauses.
A pessimist? I offer.
A fucking negative Nellie, I was going to say. Becks snickers.
I smile. Becks and Cleo are two peas in a pod. Well, how can I help?
I don’t know, exactly, but I figured the more ideas, the better. Why don’t we come over to your place and brainstorm?
Sure, when? I ask.
Tonight. Time is kind of the essence. I’ll invite all our roommates, and you can do the same if you like, she suggests casually.
Which seems kind of weird until I remember that Becks likes Ethan.
I don’t want to discourage her, but from what I’ve seen, Ethan prefers willowy emo chicks who are the opposite of Becks.
Tonight is our communal house dinner. Swanny and Bergy have cooked their specialty, chicken parmigiana. When I suggest the idea session, Bergy stares and asks, What could I do? I don’t know anything about Cleo or drugs.
Brainstorming means no bad ideas. Everyone just throws out their thoughts and sometimes something great happens, I explain.
Nothing great ever comes out of my brain, he admits, then perks up. Who’s coming?
I list off Cleo’s roommates. I’m not sure which one catches his interest, but he agrees to attend.
Nobody else is interested except Jack. You know, I think Andy would really be into this. Can I invite her?
Of course. The more people, the better.
At 7:30 PM, Andy appears and Sinc escorts her into the dining room, which is where we’re doing this thing because the Wild game is on in our living room. There’s a knock on the door, and I’m surprised to see Cleo among her roommates.
How are you doing? I ask, which seems inadequate.
She shrugs, unable or unwilling to meet my eyes. Instead of her usual bright smile and high spirits, she’s completely wrung out. Even when separating from your family is the right thing to do, it’s bound to be heart-wrenching. I long to hug her, but I’m not her boyfriend anymore.
Instead, I get drinks for everyone, and we all sit down at the table.
Is this it? Becks eyes Sinc and Andy, who are holding hands.
Yeah, sorry. Ethan has homework to do. And he wants to watch the game, I explain.
Becks groans and turns to Cleo. You told Mats? For fuck’s sake, is there no secret you can keep?
But instead of a snappy comeback, Cleo just mumbles an apology, more proof that she’s in bad shape.
Then Bergy appears and slides in beside Jinx. What’s happening? he asks.
Knudy takes charge. We’re going to concentrate on figuring out what we can do to rehabilitate Nellie’s reputation.
What about the playoffs? Becks asks.
Unfortunately, we can’t do much about that, Knudy says. We’ll have to survive the first game and hope she can come back for the second.
It’s important to stay in shape in the meantime, Becks insists.
Maybe we can arrange for extra practice sessions for Cleo, I suggest.
But she can’t practise with the team, Knudy explains.
I could practise with her, I offer.
Me too, volunteers Sinc.
Bergy nods. Me and Swanny could come too.
Knudy makes a note on her phone. I don’t think there’s anything in the rules against practising with other college players, but we can double-check.
It’s odd to have this conversation about Cleo when she’s here and not saying a word. She raises her head and softly says, You guys don’t have to do all this for me.
Becks snorts. Obviously, we don’t have to. We want to. We fucking care about you, she says, in the least sentimental tone ever.
I have a suggestion that could solve a lot of Cleo’s problems, says Andy. The gleeful tone of her voice means that this will be big.
I’d like to write a profile on you. She turns to Cleo.
Remember when you told me that I shouldn’t profile you because you hadn’t experienced hardships, like Ella?
Well, now you have a very dramatic story, and I’d like to tell it.
But the key is proof. I can’t write a story that’s just he said/she said.
I’ve done some investigating, and there’s a place in Minneapolis where they do rush drug testing.
Apparently, people need results quickly for new jobs.
If Cleo gets her tests done there, they can have her results ready in twenty-four hours.
That could be in time to make our first playoff game, Woolly says eagerly.
But don’t you have to test right after a game? Knudy asks.
Andy consults her phone. In this case, we’re looking specifically for ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. They have tests to find even the smallest traces of those drugs. As long as Cleo has never taken any.
She finally lifts her head and shows interest. I can’t even spell pseudoephedrine. And I don’t take anything, not even cold medicine or Tylenol.
Will that be expensive? Knudy asks.
I’ll have to price it out, Andy admits. Then we can decide on next steps.
We could do a GoFundMe, Becks suggests.
Or just ask the team. Everyone would pitch in twenty bucks if it meant getting Nellie back, Jinx says.
Wow, great idea. Bergy smiles at Jinx, and she edges away slightly.
A profile in the Messenger could address your worries about your reputation at Monarch, Andy explains.
Cleo blinks. Does everyone on campus know what happened to me?
Andy shakes her head. Not so far. The story didn’t name names. But since I’m on the newspaper staff, I’m privy to more information than most students.
There’s a short silence, and then Andy presses. If we do this, I’ll ask you for one important thing, though. You’ll have to be honest about your relationship with your brother.
Cleo lets out a whoosh of breath and frowns. Even after everything that’s gone down, I don’t want to affect his trial, or sentencing, or whatever it’s called.