Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
Renthrow
“I heard you guys had a scrimmage a while back,” Max says casually during our weekly strategy meeting. “Have any of the guys agreed to join the training camp?”
“They didn’t bring it up,” I admit, shutting my tablet off.
Max’s head sinks into his office chair like a bear that lost all its honey. “Yeah, I guess one scrimmage isn’t exactly going to turn things around.”
“We got them back to the stadium. It’s a start.”
“It’s not enough.” Max steeples his fingers.
“I’ve kept the training camp admissions open for way, way longer than makes sense.
I’ve been turning people away and keeping core spots open for anyone who wants to change their mind.
But it’s starting to feel unfair to the new players who want to come to the camp. ”
“Max, the team feels betrayed. You gotta give them time.”
“We’re treading water here, Renthrow. I can’t keep holding spots open for people who don’t want them.”
I cringe at the weariness in Max’s voice. “I saw the way Theilan and Watson came alive on the ice. Maybe”—I approach the topic cautiously—“if you went and talked to them—”
“I tried talking. And they didn’t want to do anything but blame me for not picking them.” He taps on his keyboard. “Maybe it’s for the best. I’ve got someone else on my radar.”
“Who?”
The team manager swings his computer monitor around. “What do you think about this guy?”
“Nathan Campbell? He wants to join the Lucky Strikers training camp?” I ask in disbelief.
Nathan was on an upward trajectory right around the time McLanely had his downfall from the league. People were throwing out his name as the next contender to take Chance’s spot.
“Yeah.”
“Wasn’t he in some kind of accident?” I ask Max.
“He’s been in rehab since then, and he’s looking to come back on the scene.”
“But why come to Lucky Falls? Why not go back to his old team?”
“He has his reasons.” Max opens a file and sorts through it with a thoughtful look. “Campbell’s agent likes what we’ve done for Chance’s brand. He wants Campbell here.”
“I don’t know, Max.” I shake my head. “He was already in the league. There has to be a deeper reason why he doesn’t want his old spot. Or why his old team doesn’t want him.”
“I have the same questions, but I figured it’s training camp. Open auditions. It doesn’t hurt to have him here, even if it’s just to raise the standard for the rest of the trainees.”
“But if he joins, that’s one less slot for the other Lucky Strikers players.”
Max’s eyes drop to the desk, and he inhales deeply. “I’m going to call it, Renthrow.”
I freeze. “What does that mean?”
“Once I announce Campbell joining our camp, that’s it. I’ll leave one spot open and close the admissions.”
“One spot?” I frown. “Max, we have at least five members who—”
“The Lucky Strikers are moving forward. I want to live in the past as much as anyone, but things are changing.”
“You’re in control of the change, Max.”
“I’ve made up my mind. Tell Theilan, Watson, and the rest that this is their last shot to join the training camp and be picked for the season.”
I rise slowly, my eyes trained on the team manager. “This isn’t a chance,” I say somberly. “This is a punishment. You’re asking them to fight each other for that spot.”
“I’m asking them to prove that they really want it.
I know what the team thinks of me, Renthrow.
I’m proud that I have a reputation for being kind, considerate, and protective.
But that also means I don’t get the kind of respect another manager with a stronger approach would have.
That’s what got us here. That’s what started the rebellion. ”
“Max—”
“One spot, Renthrow. Take it or leave it.”