18. JAGGER
Chapter eighteen
JAGGER
There’s good news and bad news today. First the good news, that’s always the best way to start, in my opinion.
The good news is there are a lot of fans at the Echo Ridge Recreation Center for our first preseason game tonight. It’s about a third full. It’s kind of crazy when you lower your expectations, how much you can be pleasantly surprised.
Jess looked into the prior years of attendance for the Hawks when they played at the arena in Missoula. Even though that venue holds close to five thousand, they averaged less than eight hundred per game. Pretty sad.
People don’t want to watch teams that lose year after year. And the more you lose, the less promotion the team gets. Owners don’t want to spend all kinds of money advertising a terrible team.
Three hundred fans in a nine hundred seat capacity rink looks pretty good. And it’s all thanks to Jess… well, and Dax. His TikTok video didn’t exactly go viral, but it definitely caught the attention of people in the area and beyond.
As I scan the stands, a few signs catch my eye. One says, “I traveled over two hundred miles from Spokane to see Dax!” Another suggests, “Take it off, baby!” That one, ironically, is being held by a woman three times Dax’s age.
The video Jess posted to TikTok followed Dax in his normal day, or what’s normal to him anyway. I’m not sure it qualifies as normal in general. Breakfast consists of whatever he had for takeout piled on top of scrambled eggs. He believes eggs go with everything. And he doesn’t cook… ever.
The post shows him eating what he calls “Eggs a la takeout.” It’s a mixture of leftover Spicy Sushi Roll, which didn’t sound terrible with scrambled eggs. But then he went back in the fridge and smelled two more boxes of leftovers, looked at the camera and said, “We don’t want these to go bad. My grandma always said never to waste food. And Dax always listens to Grandma. Love you, Meemaw. In it goes!”
He blows kisses to the camera (obviously sending them through the social media wavelengths to Meemaw), then makes a show of twirling with the takeout boxes before dumping in what appears to be spaghetti and a burrito.
He throws in some scramble eggs, then the camera pans to him scooping it all out onto a plate with a dramatic, “Voila!”
Then it moves on to him doing some modified yoga. There are some positions he’s undertaking I’ve never heard a yoga teacher suggest. He’s a very bendy guy, let me just say that.
Dax continues to surprise viewers when he gets dressed, ironing everything from his t-shirt and shorts to his underwear and socks. I know. I didn’t see that coming either.
His big finale is his special talent. He believes himself to be one step down from Eminem as far as rap skills go. (I’m not surprised. Confidence is not an issue in any part of his life.) But he’s a bigger fan of 90s rap than what’s out today.
Jess took him to a dance studio in town, and the next thing you know, “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer is blasting through the speakers. Dax shuffles in from off screen with the classic side-to-side movement made famous from the video.
He’s wearing the baggy “Hammer” pants with his Missoula Hawks jersey. I give him credit; his rapping is spot on. Every lyric is clear and his dancing, well, it’s very entertaining. It absolutely qualifies as a hidden talent.
At the end, Dax looks directly into the camera and says, “Want to see a live performance? One where this jersey may end up on the floor? Come to the Hawks first preseason game.” Then he winks at the camera. “I’ll be waiting.”
And that’s exactly why there’s a woman in her seventies jumping up and down with her sign, anxious to see what’s under Dax’s jersey.
Jess said Coach wasn’t happy at first about the video. He wants people to come see our team because of the way we play hockey, not because of our sex appeal. But I thought she had a good point, “Why can’t it be for all kinds of different reasons?”
And she’s right. I’m sure some people love Dax’s personality, the way he doesn’t apologize for being different. He’s fun and outgoing and engaging. Yes, he’s also a good-looking guy and will not disappoint the ladies if he’s shirtless. But no one will ever know how great he is at hockey, either, if they don’t come see the Hawks play.
Jess promised Coach Bradley that not every video will be like that. We aren’t all begging to rip off our clothes or perform in front of the crowd. But for the first preseason game, I think it’s brilliant and attendance should only go up from there once she uploads tonight’s song. I saw Coach before warmups, and he looks pleased with the turnout, so it’s a win-win so far.
Now on to the bad news. I’m not playing. My run-in with the overly curious mountain goat has me on the sidelines. It wasn’t easy explaining to Coach Bradley how that happened, especially because I couldn’t mention Jess.
His arched eyebrows were an obvious sign he didn’t buy that I go hiking alone on our off days. But since he couldn’t prove otherwise, he dropped it. But not before telling the team why I wouldn’t be suiting up.
They have not dropped it even a little since then. There has been a lot of bleating when I walk by, and walking is all I’ve been capable of, since I haven’t been able to practice all week. So, no slamming them into a wall in retaliation. The hole in my “backside” isn’t huge, it’s more of a puncture, but it’s not healing as quickly as I hoped. It’s a tough spot since that’s what I sit on.
So, most of the time, I lie on my side during meetings. That encourages quite a bit of ragging from the guys. But that’s how I know we’re starting to bond, to form that brotherhood that comes with being close enough to joke with each other.
I get a lot of, “You need me to change that bandage, Jagger?”
Coach certainly isn’t happy I can’t play, but better it happens preseason rather than for an actual game. The Colorado Grizzlies are in town tonight, and the action just started.
Dax immediately seizes the puck with his stick, heading straight down the ice with blazing speed. I think his adoring fans have inspired him.
Multiple Colorado defenders try to block his path, but his skating skills are as sharp as his moves off the ice. With effortless finesse, he weaves through them, gliding toward the goal.
Just as he rears back to take a shot at the goalkeeper, a rogue defender comes out of nowhere and knocks Dax off his feet, sending him careening across the ice. His stick flies into the air, and his body slams into the wall.
An audible gasp ripples through the crowd. Could this team really be doomed? Just thirty seconds into the new season, a promising goal turns into a dramatic body check, injuring the team's most beloved new TikTok star. The crack of his back hitting the side wall echoes in the air.
A voice rings out, “Hey! He’s supposed to be shirtless later! Don’t break him!” Ok, maybe not everyone who’s here cares about hockey or who Dax is as a person.
But she didn’t need to worry. Dax immediately snaps back to his feet and hustles after his stick. The puck spins back toward our defensive line, where Troy scoops it up. The Grizzly players are momentarily immobile, clearly shocked by the quick resilience of Dax.
This gives him just enough time to grab his stick and head toward center ice, corralling the precise pass from Troy before sending a scorching shot into the upper right corner of the goal.
The crowd erupts in cheers as Dax wags his finger at the defender who body checked him. The player does not take kindly to the taunting and throws down his gloves, but that’s not happening with Troy around.
Troy immediately skates in front of Dax, shielding him from the opponent. In pure Dax fashion, he continues to pop his head out from either side of Troy like Punxsutawney Phil looking for his shadow on Groundhog Day.
Seeing Troy up close is enough for anyone to think twice about a fight. Our opponent’s stalling isn’t him considering fighting with Troy. It’s backing down with some dignity, while making it look like he’s considering taking on what is likely the largest man in all of minor league hockey.
He makes the smart move, backing away from Troy’s extra-large frame while glaring in Dax’s direction. Dax tries to wrap his arms around Troy, which is difficult given the size difference between the two men, so instead Troy motions for him to back up.
I know exactly what they’re doing because I heard them talking about their favorite movies the other day.
Dax skates toward Troy and he lifts him in the air, like they’re in Dirty Dancing. The crowd eats it up and roars loudly. I look over at Coach Bradley who’s shaking his head, but pursing his lips, holding back a grin.
I know Dax’s personality isn’t traditional, but he’s just what we need around here. And I think it’s working to connect with fans. I scan the upper deck and see Jess standing in her favorite spot above.
She’s cheering with both arms in the air with the rest of the spectators. Man, she’s gorgeous. Her caramel-streaked hair cascades over her shoulders, complementing her expressive eyes that are wide with excitement.
I wish I was close enough to get lost in those emerald-green irises, the ones that bring intensity with every gaze. I long to touch her soft, sun-touched skin, still glowing from her trip to Jamaica. I want to rush to her after games (well, not this one, with my backside issue) and hold her in my arms, celebrating our victories and finding comfort in defeat together.
I want it all, but I don’t know how to get it. Coach Bradley seems like a reasonable man. But his career is dependent on how we play, how I play, and I’m not sure he’ll put my love life as a higher priority than his job. Of course, he wouldn’t. He shouldn’t have to. I got myself into this mess, I’ll have to continue to keep my relationship with Jess a secret until I leave this place.
But it doesn’t mean I can’t look at her. No one can stop me from doing that. As long as I’m not on the ice tonight, I’m using every break in the action as a “take a peek” opportunity.
She lets her gaze slide my way too. It’s crazy; I can feel it when it happens, like a silent spark that makes my heart race. It’s as if our eyes have their own secret language, connecting us in a way that words never could. Every glance from her is a reminder of just how much I want to be close to her, to share in the moments that matter most.
Jess is my future; I just can’t mess up the present to make that happen. Patience is not my best quality, but I’m going to have to find a way to get good at it.
It’s the break between the second and third periods, time for the Dax show.
I didn’t think Coach would allow him to perform in the middle of a game. He said it ultimately hinged on the score. Maybe that’s why Dax started off so fast, not wanting to disappoint our fans, or “his fans” as I’m sure he believes the crowd to be.
He’s had the game of his life, that’s for sure. He already has a hat trick, three goals in two periods. Troy has provided defense with gladiator-like skills, and Brooks stopped all but one shot that’s come his way. After two periods, it’s five to one, a solid lead in hockey.
So, here he comes. Dax is skating onto the ice, ready for his first live rapping performance. But this time, there are no Hammer pants, no Montana Hawks jersey. It’s just Dax and some Spandex, a lot of Spandex, actually.
Jess showed me the video of “You Can’t Touch This,” and although most people remember the baggy pants, open jacket, and signature shades of MC Hammer. There’s one part of the video where he’s wearing a one-piece spandex outfit. Dax loved it and said, “That’s what I want to wear, my body was made for it.”
Personally, I will be keeping my eyes glued to Jess, I don’t want to see any of that. But the ladies with the signs, they are definitely fans of Dax’s outfit, and they cheer madly as he skates to take his position.
Jess has come down to the first floor to film the action. She smiles at me as she lifts her phone to start recording, the slight upturn of her lips helping to soothe my soul.
She moves around the center, getting different angles of Dax’s many, many gyrations. He’s eating up the crowd’s participation, blowing kisses and winking to the ladies who are on their feet. I think this is his calling if hockey doesn’t work out.
Dax ends his performance by making a show of pulling down the top part of his outfit, giving the ladies what they came for, his bare chest. He’s clearly oiled himself for effect and ends his rap with, “You Can’t Touch This,” while trailing a finger down his torso. Yea. I looked. And now I’ll never get that vision out of my brain.
But it has the effect Jess was looking for. Every member of the crowd stands to applaud. Dax laps it up until the Zamboni driver finally shoos him off the ice so he can do his job. After this video goes online, along with a great win for the team, I have a feeling it’s going to be standing room only around here soon.