Chapter 3 #2
“Any word on who’s going to be the alternate captain?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager. I haven’t told anyone this, but my biggest goal as a player in the league is to someday be alternate captain of my team.
“My vote is for Ryker,” Xander says.
“Mine too,” Blomdahl says.
“He’d be great,” Alanna says. “He’s been playing in the league for more than fifteen years. All the guys on the team look up to him. And he’s got a good temperament for it. Mature. Serious. No-nonsense.”
“Did he say he’d do it?” I ask.
They shake their heads. “I think Coach Porter’s still trying to convince him. It’s a lot of responsibility,” Xander says.
“Yeah, definitely.” I clear my throat. “If he doesn’t want it, I might put my hat in the ring.”
All three of them stare at me for five seconds, then they all burst out laughing.
I stand there, surprised at their reaction. Is it really that laughable to think I could be alternate captain of our team?
“Wow, guys. Laugh harder, will you?” I try to play it off with a joking tone, but I can’t deny the sting I feel.
Getting named the alternate captain of your team is a huge deal.
The alternate captain of the team takes over for the captain if he’s in the penalty box or on the bench.
That means developing a rapport with the officials so you can talk to them if there’s an issue with a call or a penalty during a game.
And it means having the respect of your teammates.
It means being able to rally the team in good times and bad times.
Maybe I’m not the guy they had in mind for the job, but the way they’re laughing, it feels like they think I’d never be fit for it. And that kind of stings.
Alanna walks off, still laughing.
“Come on, dude. You don’t fit the bill for alternate captain,” Xander says.
“Yeah. You have to take things seriously. You have to be mature. You can’t be fucking around all the time, which is one of your favorite hobbies,” Blomdahl says.
They both walk away to visit with Sam and Theo on the other side of the party. The sting from their lack of belief in me lingers as I watch them walk off. I guess I can’t really blame them though. I act more like a frat boy than I do a serious leader that they’d look up to.
Coach Porter walks up to the bar to order a drink. He’s who I should be talking to if I want to be taken seriously as a candidate for alternate captain.
My nerves kick up as I turn to him. “Hey, Coach. Having fun?”
“Yeah. You?”
I nod and clear my throat. “I was wondering if you’ve thought about who you want for alternate captain.”
His expression is stern and unreadable as he looks at me. “I have.”
When he doesn’t say more, I’m even more nervous. Coach Porter is known for being a gruff, straightforward, and no-nonsense guy. Sometimes he just frowns at you without saying much, and you can’t tell if he’s pissed or unbothered. It can be pretty intimidating.
I can’t let that faze me though. If I want to be taken seriously—if I want to be considered for alternate captain, I need to be confident and assertive.
“I’d like to be considered for the position,” I say.
Coach Porter’s hard frown doesn’t budge. He looks unimpressed. I guess that’s better than him laughing at me.
“Really?” he says. There’s a hint of surprise in his tone.
“Yeah. I know that’s probably a shock to hear, but it’s true. It’s something that I’ve always wanted. And I think I’d do a good job.”
He’s quiet as he sips the bourbon from his glass and glances off to the side.
My nerves fire off. I probably shouldn’t have brought this up at a wedding.
If I were smarter—if I had thought more about this—I would have asked Coach to meet with me in his office so I could show just how serious I am.
Talking to him about this at my teammate’s wedding feels like such an amateur move. I sigh, annoyed with myself.
Coach Porter finally looks at me again. “You really think you’d make a good alternate captain?
You think you have the maturity and the right attitude for it?
Being alternate captain is more than just how you play.
You need to be someone that your teammates and the refs and officials respect.
You have to be mature and professional off the ice too. ”
He quirks his eyebrow at me, almost like he’s silently saying, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Doubt creeps into the sudden boldness I felt earlier. My shoulders slump.
“Look, I’m not trying to tear you down, Connors.
You’re a fantastic player. You get along well with your teammates.
The fans love you. You’re great during post-game press.
All of that counts for a lot. But your personal life also comes into play when we’re talking about something like alternate captain.
Especially on this team. The owner Greg wants the players who are in positions of leadership to show integrity in their personal lives. I do too. And that’s not exactly you.”
I feel myself deflate even more, even though everything he’s saying is true.
“So you’re saying I need to clean up my act if I want to be considered for alternate captain?” I say, fighting the embarrassed feeling coursing through me.
“If being alternate captain is something you truly want, you can’t be acting like a frat boy off the ice.”
I nod. “I get it. Thanks for being honest with me.”
He studies me for a moment, then looks over at Ryker, who’s taking photos with Madeline.
“St. George is who I have in mind for the role.” He turns to me.
“But I haven’t made any final decisions yet.
Not until training camp starts in the fall.
You’re gonna have to make a pretty big change in your personal life if alternate captain is something you’re serious about. ”
He walks off. I rest my hands in my pockets and lean against the bar as I take in everything Coach Porter’s said. No question, it cuts deep to hear that my own teammates and coach don’t think I’m alternate captain material.
I’m willing to quit my party boy ways if that’s what it takes for them to take me seriously. But part of me knows that probably won’t be enough. I just have to figure out what else I need to do.
My phone buzzes again. I pull out my phone and see another text from Ellie. It’s a pic of the dog she watching. He’s looking up at the night sky.
Ellie: Gus is bored from lying around the house so I took him on another walk.
I smile. Texting Ellie is a nice distraction from thinking about all this. It would be even better if she were here.
Me: Does he like riding in the car?
Ellie: Yeah, he loves it.
Me: Drive him here tonight. Come see me.
Ellie: You want me to come to the wedding reception you’re at? And bring the dog I’m watching?
Me: Yeah.
Ellie: Very funny lol
Me: I’m serious. If you’re free, you should come hang out for a bit. I want to see you
Ellie: Do you think Ryker would appreciate me crashing his wedding?
Me: Ryker is currently loved up with his new wife, taking photos. He’s not gonna care.
Me: How about I throw in a Malibu and rum to sweeten the offer?
Ellie: Okay, you convinced me. I’m on my way.