Chapter 4
It’s almost the end of the game, but it’s tied. Since it’s still the regular season, if no one scores they’ll go to a five-minute overtime period, and then a shootout after that if no one scores in OT.
I was able to hang out with some of the training staff in the tunnel for the majority of the game. We chatted about what it’s like working for the team, while simultaneously taking in the action from ice level.
Let me tell you, these guys are even bigger, and better looking, when you’re up this close.
Connor takes a nasty hit near the end of the third period and one of the trainers rushes onto the ice to attend to him. He’s been battling a groin injury all season according to Sloane, the head athletic trainer.
After she escorts Connor off the ice, Lincoln’s cousin, Katie, slides up next to me to take her place.
Katie joined the Bobcats staff in January to fill in for the team’s therapist who went on maternity leave.
She’s about my size, maybe a smidge taller, and has the most beautiful auburn hair I’ve ever seen.
Tonight it’s pin straight and looks absolutely phenomenal in contrast to the emerald green suit she’s wearing.
She’s recently become one of my favorite people ever because she likes to poke fun at Hunter just as much as I do.
She’s joined the two of us many times for a late-night out.
On rare occasions, all five of us will go out for drinks and laugh the night away.
I love having her as a part of our friend group and hope she finds a permanent position here in Green Bay so she can stick around.
Hell, I hope I find myself a permanent position here soon too.
As much as I love being roommates with Ellie, it’s very obvious that she and Lincoln are in it for the long haul.
I don’t want to be the one who holds those two back from taking the next step.
As soon as I find a good job with decent money, I plan to move out and start my next chapter here in the city, so they can start theirs too.
“That poor guy can’t catch a break with that injury this year.” Katie’s eyes are tracking Connor down the tunnel and a look of sympathy is etched on her face.
“Yeah, Ellie said his groin injury is like a splinter you thought was gone, but it actually just keeps getting deeper. Hurts like a bitch.”
Katie laughs and nods, moving her attention back to the game on the ice. “I would’ve never thought of it like that.”
“I’m sure it fucks with his head too. Can’t be easy battling a lingering injury and the mental stress that accompanies it.”
Katie looks from the ice to me, taking me in for a moment.
“No. It can’t. I’m hoping now that you’re here, you might be able to help me out with some of that mental stress the guys carry.
Some of the guys utilize therapy and see me from time to time.
But, as you can probably imagine, there’s still a handful of them who think therapy is a crock of shit and makes them weak. Toxic masculinity and all that.”
Her statement takes me by surprise. I’m no stranger to the stigma that accompanies athletes. My best friend is the second-ever female coach in the NHL and she faces her fair share of hateful comments. But I guess I never realized that, in this day and age, men still saw therapy as a bad thing.
Hell, both Lincoln and Ellie are in therapy and they’re very open about the fact. It just hit me now that maybe they’re so open because they’re hoping the guys on the team might take a chance on it.
“I’m here to help in any way I can. Hopefully you and I can work together to get the team mentally prepared for playoffs in a couple weeks. Assuming we’re still on track to clinch a playoff spot.”
Katie smiles, but before she can respond, Niko slams someone from the other team over the boards with such force, the player falls on top of the guys sitting on our bench. My hand clutches my chest and I can feel my heart pounding through my jacket.
“Holy shit. Is it always like this?”
Katie laughs as the player from the other team is thrown back onto the ice by our guys. “I grew up watching Lincoln play, and I’ll still never be over how physically demanding this sport is.”
I’ll say.
There’s less than a minute to go. One of our defensemen has the puck and he fires it down ice to Niko who is standing just outside the other team’s zone.
Once the puck hits his stick, he takes off down the far wall into the zone.
Jefferson is flying down the middle to join the rush, which creates a two-on-one situation.
Niko looks like he’s about to shoot, but at the last second, sends a beautiful pass right over the defenseman’s stick to a waiting Jefferson.
He doesn’t even cradle the puck back. As soon as it hits his stick, he’s firing it into the net over the goalie’s pad.
The players on the bench jump up, going wild, hugging one another and screaming. The Bobcats have the lead. I can barely see when the guys on the ice skate past to hit gloves with their teammates on the bench but they’re all shouting, excitement radiating off every player.
This is so much fun.
The buzzer sounds and the Bobcats secure their third straight win since attending goat yoga.
I know there’s been a ton of other things going on behind the scenes, but the fact that I had something to do with their success makes me feel a sense of pride I haven’t felt in a long time.
It’s validating my work, which many people, especially my family, have never understood.
I wait for Ellie in the room they have designated for families after the game. Since she’s a coach and doesn’t need to take any equipment off or shower, she and Hunter are the first two people to enter. They chat with a few people then both head my way.
“Great game, you guys! It’s so much more exciting down at ice level. I could feel the energy and excitement coming off the guys. It must be even better on that bench.”
Hunter laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “It never gets old, I can tell you that.”
I lean into his side and wrap my arm around his lower back. How cool is it that I get to work at the same place as my two best friends?
Ellie waves to someone behind us and I see she’s waving Lincoln over. She turns her attention back to us. “I was thinking we could go celebrate the win and your new job tonight. It’s been a while since the four of us have gone out. You game?”
My body is still humming with energy from the game and a smile splits across my face. “Hell yeah!”
Hunter hoots and hollers with his own excitement just as Lincoln steps up to join us. He looks around at the three of us and his eyes bulge when he sees Ellie’s mischievous grin.
“I don’t like that look.”
Ellie shrugs. “Get ready, baby. We’re heading to The Cracked Mug!”
It’s already close to midnight when we finally arrive at the bar, so the place is packed. The last time the four of us came here, Hunter and I worked our magic, setting Lincoln and Ellie up with a duet on karaoke night. Now they’re happily in love and the rest is history.
We weave our way through bodies toward the bar to order some drinks, and I spot a few familiar faces across the bar.
Hunter told us Niko is the one who recommended this place because it’s on the outskirts of town where the team isn’t spotted or bombarded as much. After tonight’s win, I’m not surprised to see some of the Bobcats here celebrating.
Lincoln turns to us and has to raise his voice a bit over the noise. “Why don’t you guys go to try and find a spot. Away from the team.” He says the last bit louder than the rest, emphasizing the fact that he doesn’t want to mingle with his players tonight.
“Yes, sir.” I salute Lincoln, causing him to roll his eyes. I love ruffling his feathers.
I hold onto the back of Hunter’s shirt as he leads the way to the other side of the bar, just off the side of the stage where karaoke is happening. A small group of people vacate a table just as we stop to assess the situation. As soon as they leave, we all take a seat.
“You and Lincoln going to bless us with round two tonight?” I nod toward the stage where a girl singing a terrible rendition of “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” is just finishing up. She may not sound great but she’s having the time of her life. Good for her.
Ellie shoots me a death glare. “Don’t even think about it.”
I puff out my bottom lip at her. “Boo. You’re no fun. I think karaoke is over at midnight anyway.”
Right on cue, the DJ announces that the next performance will be the last one of the night. “For our grand finale, we have Jefferson and Mack Attack singing ‘Friends in Low Places.’”
No. Freaking. Way.
I’m still getting to know the team, but it’s hard to forget those two.
Kyle Jefferson is the Bobcats’ newest rookie.
Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure he’s not even old enough to be at the bar.
Aidan Mackenzie or “Mack” as the team calls him, is the goalie, and let’s just say, he’s quite the character.
He’s goofy and weird and everything you’d expect from a goalie.
“So much for staying under the radar,” Lincoln deadpans, setting our drinks on the table.
We all turn to watch the two goofballs walk up on stage. I take a sip of my vodka cran and spit it everywhere when I see what they’re wearing.
Jefferson has some ridiculous looking black mustache that does not match his sandy blond hair whatsoever.
On his head is an ugly brown fedora that’s way too small for his head.
Mack has on a red curly-haired wig that I’m pretty sure used to belong to a clown costume.
He’s also wearing extremely large round-rimmed glasses. They both look absolutely ridiculous.
“This one goes out to our new favorite yoga instructor. You know who you are.”
Oh. My. God.