Chapter 35 #2
The fact that he’s asking that question means he’s thinking about it. Excitement swoops in my belly.
“Possibly,” I say calmly. “Like I said, there’s a lot more work to do.”
“You are a fireball.”
I laugh. “Um, thank you?”
“Yeah. Okay. I’m interested.”
I pull in a slow breath through my nose and let it out. “Good. Thanks for hearing me out.”
Jayden and his friends are going to an arcade to play games tonight and he asked if I wanted to join them for something to eat. I guess this is the hard launch.
It’s a walkable distance from my place, but it’s damp and cold out, so I bundle up for the trek.
I blink at the darkness when I enter the building, although it was dark outside too, and look around the extensive space. It looks like there are different areas for different activities: mini golf, darts, pool… axe throwing? Yikes.
Jayden spots me and jogs over. “Hey.” He gives me a kiss. “Let’s get you a wristband.”
I have no idea what this place is about as I’ve never been here and I’m a little intimidated, but Jayden guides me around. Cam and Laurent are playing pool. They pause their game for Jayden to introduce me to Cam.
Cam is Jayden’s defence partner. I’ve seen him on TV, but in person, he’s even better looking.
His dark-blond hair is cut in a shaggy style that hangs over his forehead and brushes the collar of his shirt.
His short, trimmed beard and moustache are the same dark gold.
He greets me with a handshake and an aloof smile.
I’ve already met Laurent, once, that day at Jack and Sky. He’s much friendlier, with a sexy French accent, a wide smile, and a tangle of dark curls. “Nice to see you again. How is your pool game?”
I shrug. “I haven’t played for a long time.”
“Next game, you and I will play the winner,” Jayden says.
We watch Cam and Laurent finish their game, talking quietly.
“I told Troy about my proposal this afternoon,” I say.
His face lights up. “Was he blown away?”
“Yeah, I think he was.” I shimmy my shoulders.
“I knew he would be.”
“It’s not settled but at least if I’m saying no to the sports betting, I have something else to offer.” I meet his eyes. “Thank you for that.”
“I didn’t do anything. You’re the one with the brilliant ideas.”
“You made me think about things differently.”
I grin.
“I did something today, too. I talked to Duper.”
“Ohhh. How did that go?” I know he was worried about it. He still doesn’t know his new coach that well and wasn’t sure how his input would be received.
“I think it went okay.” He grimaces. “But I thought that back in junior hockey too. Then everything went to shit.”
“It won’t.” I sound confident, like I know what I’m talking about. I don’t know his coach, either. But I know Jayden, and I have to believe that team leadership would want to listen to him, because he’s honest and principled and he genuinely wants this team to do better. “What did you say?”
“I told him… well, he already knows reporters are asking questions. I told him about the other rumours that are starting to build. I said I think Bish has some issues he needs to deal with, that it’s impacting the team.
I told him I think we all need to be held accountable when we fuck up.
I didn’t want him to think I’m criticizing him or his coaching style, and I didn’t want him to think I’m stabbing a teammate in the back. ”
I nod. “And what did he say?”
“He said he agrees. Accountability has been lacking with this group.” He makes a face.
“He said he didn’t want to throw Barbs, our old coach, under the bus.
He’s been trying to get a good understanding of the team dynamics before he starts making big changes.
He thinks team chemistry and accountability are essential for success and he agrees there are problems.”
“That sounds good.”
“And he says there are some things in the works but he can’t say much right now.”
“Understandable.”
“He also commented about me working with Moisey and said they want to support me in my development any way they can.”
I beam at him. “That’s great!”
“Right? So I felt pretty good after.”
I kiss his cheek. “Yay.”
“Get a room!” Laurent calls. “We’re done here. Are you two playing?”
We jump up to get cues. Jayden racks the balls. They decide Laurent will go first and Jayden and I shoot a ball to see who goes next. It’s Jayden.
Laurent breaks and pockets a ball, so he shoots again. Then it’s Jayden’s turn. He assesses the table with the seriousness of a surgeon in the OR. He pockets three in a row. Yikes.
My turn. I plant my feet, bounce a little on my toes, and grip my cue as I line up the shot I want to make. With a satisfying crack, the cue ball hits the solid five ball and it rolls neatly into a pocket.
I smile and prepare for my next shot. Within minutes, I’ve cleared my group and I’m aiming for the eight ball. I’m off a bit, and it rolls soooo slowly… taking forever… and then drops into a pocket.
“Jesus Christ,” Jayden says. “What the hell was that?”