Chapter 6
MAVERICK
“Coach Bergeron left the team.” Sax’s voice is urgent as he stands beside me in the locker room reading on his phone. “They’re bringing in somebody new. Today.”
I hear him talking, but my mind is miles away, thinking about last night with Dove. She scared the shit out of me sitting in the dark like that, near tears.
So much fear was in her eyes. I’ve never seen her that way. Dove Rhodes is one of the most determined, positive people I know, but not last night. Last night she was devastated, and all I could think was, Who do I need to kill?
Then she said the trees were dying.
She didn’t have to say any more. My mind went to our last afternoon together years ago, the way she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the top of the hill. I knew at that moment, she could drag me pretty much anywhere, and I’d go willingly.
If I could find someone who loved all this as much as I do…
“Hey.” Sax gives me a shove, holding his phone in my face. “New coach.”
I glance up, frowning. “What are you talking about? Where’s Coach B?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He left. Something about his family or his dad or something, and now we’ve got this new guy, Stellan Leek from Toronto. Starting now.”
“Stellan Leek?” I take the device from his hand. “Stellan Leek was on the All-Star team for the Leafs. He’s a badass.”
“Yeah, well, this badass is our new head coach.”
“Dang.” Excitement and intimidation mix in my chest.
I’ve never had a legendary player as a coach, but I’ve been around one. My uncle Jack was a high school football coach after being a legendary quarterback in Texas, and I remember how much he cared about his players.
Every summer, he took his time selecting the team, doing his best to be fair. He wanted all the players to succeed. He even went to bat for them more than once, defying state officials, school administration, even overbearing parents.
It gave me a real appreciation for a coach who understands what it’s like to be in our shoes.
“We’re at the halfway point.” I nod at the phone, handing it back to him. “He’ll take us all the way.”
“I hope you’re right.” Saxon’s mouth pulls down. “Sometimes these guys come in with a chip on their shoulders, like they have something to prove.”
“Nah.” I wave that away. “This guy’s already proven himself.”
Standing, I rub the ache out of my stomach. I love hockey. Playing in the league is all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a teenager. But now that Dove is here, I can’t help feeling like every day I’m here or out of town, is another day I missed with her.
It’s a silly thought. What am I going to do? Retire? Shit, no.
I huff a laugh at that thought, ready to head out of the locker room in all my gear, when Haddy meets me in the hall.
“You’re not returning my calls.” My cousin is dressed in a gray power suit, her dark hair smoothed back in a professional ponytail.
Haddy’s always been hot, but in this getup, she looks like a ball-buster as well. Very much like management.
“I don’t check my phone when I’m at practice.” I’m walking to the arena, and she’s right beside me, keeping pace in her stilettos.
“You’re the star of the Los Angeles Champions, Mav. I have to make sure you don’t miss your endorsement events.”
“When have I ever done that?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice is low. “I’ve just started keeping track of you.”
“Never. The answer is never.”
“So you’re all set for the photo shoot this afternoon?"
I stop in my tracks, eyes narrowed, and I study her. “What photo shoot?”
“Precisely.” She turns her large iPad, so I can see the screen. “You have a photo shoot at 4 p.m. with Memor-eez neck guards. They want you to push their slogan, Never forget protection.”
“I use Shock Jock neck guards.” I lift my face to the ceiling, doing my best to stay patient.
She swipes a few times on the screen. “Shock Jock didn’t renew their contract, and Memor-eez uses memory foam, so they’re more comfortable anyway. Give them a chance.”
“Whatever.” I shake my head. If Shock Jock isn’t loyal to me… “Where do I need to be?”
“They’re setting up in the Memecoin Lounge. It’s past the Bitcoin Lobby, next to the Coinbase Salon.”
Feels like there should be a joke there. “Okay, thanks, Hads. I’ll be there.”
“Appreciate you.”
She shakes her dark head, but I catch the smile on her lips. I give her a little finger-gun before hurrying to join the team.
“Murphy, bring it down center ice and pass it to Hancock.” Stellan Leek shouts the order from where he stands with his arms crossed in front of the bench.
He’s taller than I expected, probably six-five, and his face is set in a scowl as he watches us. An assistant coach I also don’t recognize is with him, making notes on an iPad.
I do as I’m told, taking the puck around to the top of the ice and pushing off hard with my skates as I guide it, side to side, heading straight at Akers covering the goal.
At the last moment, I flick it over to Hancock, who brings it around the side and slips it into the net.
The guys clap, and I nod, grinning as I glide over to my teammate and give him a fist bump.
“Akers, are you asleep out there?” Coach Leek’s tone is sharp, and I glance at my friend who adjusts his helmet.
He gives a thumbs-up, and I dismiss my worries. We’re just learning each other’s style. There’s no reason to jump to the conclusion that Stellan Leek is a hardass, and so what if he is? Discipline is always a good thing.
“Murphy,” Coach is back on me. “Show me your runups.”
Gav, Owen, and Hancock circle around, worried expressions on their faces, but I give them a reassuring grin, directing them to do our signature Tick-Tack-Tack-Goal or T3G.
It’s a variation on a play Gav and I perfected in Atlanta. We updated it after it became clear the other teams were studying us and blocking our play.
Skating to center ice, I wait until the other guys are ready, then I start down the rink like before, headed to the goal.
At the last second, I flick it over to Owen, who takes it back around before slapping it to Gavin, who comes up from behind the net at top speed.
He could score right there, but instead, he sends it to Hancock, confusing the defensemen trying to steal it away, until finally it’s back with me, and I shoot it over Aiden’s shoulder into the net.
We clap again. “That one caught some air,” I note, clasping hands with Gavin.
“Happens,” Gav answers, skating around to where we can see what the coach is going to say.
“Trying to nail our best goalie?” Coach Leek skates out to center ice where we’re standing, glaring at me hard.
“No, Coach, I was moving too fast.”
“Is that all you’ve got?” Leek stops in front of us, staring down at the four of us.
I glance over at Owen, but he shakes his head.
“It’s what we’ve practiced,” I answer.
“That’s your signature play, and everybody knows it,” he snaps. “You boys want to win the Cup or just say you went to the championship game?”
“We want to win,” we all shout back in unison.
“Then it’s time for change. There’s no room for showboats on this team.” He glances at me, which seems uncalled for. “We’re all champions. Now line up, and see if you can learn these new plays.”
My gaze is on the ice as we all skate out to the center of the rink. I feel the warmth of my friends around me, but I wonder if there are players who think I’ve hogged the spotlight and shut them out. I’ve always tried to be inclusive.
It’s a cringey feeling, and I don’t like it at all.
“Merritt, Hancock, Price,” Coach Leek calls them up to the center.
Wade Merritt is a stellar defenseman, while Donovan Price is our team captain and a strong left winger. John Hancock—yep, that’s his name—is one of our best centers. He’s always with us on plays.
Owen, Gav, and I fall back to see what they’ll do.
Coach Leek directs them through a variation on the 1-3-1 play, which is a lot like our T3G play. Price brings the puck straight down the ice, sending it over to Hancock while Merritt does a switch-hit play, moving from defense to offense and slamming the puck into the net past Akers.
I’m starting to feel bad for my old goalie buddy. He’s catching a lot of flak for all this switching around. At the same time, I think I get where Coach Leek is coming from with it. Mixing up our plays is a great strategy at this time in the season.
“They know what to expect from you two.” He nods at Gavin and me. “Less from Stone, since he’s new. We need to bring some new blood forward.”
We all nod in agreement.
Whatever he thinks coming in here, the Champions have never been about one player, a.k.a., me. I’ve always done my best to let everyone shine. I can’t help it if my jersey number is the most popular one in the stands.
I’m looking down at the ice, grinning at the thought when Leek’s sharp voice pulls me out of it.
“Something funny, Murphy?” he snaps, and I wonder what I did to get under this guy’s jock strap.
“No, sir,” I answer fast. “I like what you’re doing. It’s smart. We need to mix it up, keep the other teams guessing.”
“I appreciate your vote of confidence.” He casts ice-blue eyes over all of us. “Now get out there and show me you know how to play like real champions. Show me you deserve to win.”
Gavin clears his throat, and his eyes land on mine. We both nod. Yep, this guy is not what we were hoping for when we heard he was a former all-star.
“Probably had a shitty head coach,” Owen grumbles under his breath. “It’s always the assholes who came up under assholes.”
“You’re such a dad.” I give him a shove.
Gavin laughs, agreeing quietly. “Lucy isn’t even a year old, and I’m already thinking the same.”
Stellan Leek’s whistle blows, and we put our heads down, digging in and chasing the puck.
For the first time in a long time, the weight of the game doesn’t feel as heavy on my shoulders, and unexpectedly, I kind of like it that way.
A female is at the bench waving her hands and calling my name. Only, I recognize that gray skirt and matching blazer. As she waves, her dark hair bounces around her shoulders.
We’ve gone up and down the ice learning new plays that don’t put Mav and Gav (and Owen) in the spotlight. Owen is complaining that he’s getting guilt by association with us, but he’s still getting out there.
It’s his first season with the team, and he’s proven his strength as a solo player. He was traded up from the minor leagues in the fall, so he should be in the middle of whatever Coach Leek is trying to prove.
“Your photo shoot!” Haddy stage whispers as I glide past where she’s standing. “Everyone is waiting.”
Turning to the side, I do a quick stop that sends a spray of ice against the boards. “I have to go, Coach. Publicity.”
Stellan Leek’s brow lowers, and he glares at me like I’m a black beetle on his white linen suit. “You have to what?”
Haddy steps forward, and I gotta hand it to her, she’s a lot braver than I thought. “I’m sorry, Coach Leek, Maverick is needed in the Memecoin Lounge for a photoshoot with Memor-eez neck guards. He’s actually late, and we need him to get out of his gear and get over there stat.”
Stellan Leek stands to his full height, making even a tall woman like Hads seem petite. “Maverick Murphy is needed on the ice to practice for our upcoming game against the Tornados.”
“I appreciate that, but this sponsorship is in his contract. The representatives are all set up, and they’re waiting on him now. If you prevent him from making this shoot, you subject the entire Champions organization to litigation.”
Our new head coach doesn’t speak for a full thirty seconds, the entirety of which, my cousin stands in front of him, arms crossed and pressing her lips together.
Gliding up to where they stand, I step off the ice. “I’d better get over there.”
The muscle in Coach Leek’s jaw moves rapidly back and forth, but he doesn’t stop me. “See you tomorrow night in a suit,” he says.
“I thought we stopped—” I start.
“We started again.” He cuts me off with a withering glare before returning to the players on the ice, ordering them to line up for another drill.
I do a short nod then make my way quickly to the locker room to remove my gear, tossing it into the bins for cleaning and steaming while Haddy waits outside in the hallway.
I pull on a long-sleeved jersey and sweatpants. I’ve done these things dozens of times, and I know they’ll have whatever they want me to wear at the shoot.
When I step out into the hall, she’s ready to go.
“What do you think about the new coach?” Her blue eyes meet mine, and her voice is low as we make our way quickly through the halls of the arena.
I think I understand what he’s trying to do here. Perhaps Sax was right and he’s trying to prove something, but I’m not opposed to his approach.
“He’s tough,” I reply, still deciding on how I feel.
We pass the Bitcoin Lobby, and we’re at the Memecoin Lounge. White sheets are over everything, and large silver umbrellas fill the area.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think we were staging a moon landing. Or that part in Willy Wonka where they send Mike Teevee through the laser machine.
“He caught me off guard,” I whisper.
“You’re the star. Don’t let him ruffle your feathers.”
I glance up at her, wondering how many times she’s done exactly what I’m doing now. How many times she had to deal with impossible people and not ruffle feathers.
“Trust me, I get it now. I’m sorry I ever questioned needing your help.”
“Apology accepted. Now get in there and say your line.”
“Shock Jock wouldn’t pay, so now I use Memor-eez neck guards?”
Haddy gives me a warm smile, pausing at the door. “No improv. Just read the card.”
I huff a laugh and enter the room, ready for my close up.