Page 6 of Falling for the Felid
But looking at Locke’s style as first a player and then an assistant coach in the NHL, there’s no way anyone could convince me he plans to let the Warhammers continue being the league’s “dirty” team. We’re known for having big players (present company excluded) who aren’t necessarily all that skilled (still excluding me) but play rough enough to get the job done (this is definitely me). Locke’s known for playing smart. He’s not above the occasional hard and even dirty hit when necessary, but those are few and far between, taking second place to tactics and skills. He can probably make theWarhammers into a better team—a club that wins more and that supporters can be proud of.
Can he do it with the existing players? Unlikely. Not unless some of them undergo lobotomies.
My heart beats a little faster than usual as I approach the dressing room. If Locke’s going to do a full rebuild, there’s no doubt that I’ll be one of the players to go. Yeah, a bunch of my teammates aren’t as talented as I am, but they also don’t attack each other on the ice. They’re not currently at the mercy of hormonal surges that make them unreasonably angry and aggressive. I need to show him that I can play smart, that while yeah, I’m an aggressive player, it doesn’t define or drive me. The problem is, I’m not sure he’s going to give me the chance to prove that. I tried during training camp, but some of my teammates are just so unfocused that it was hard to stay calm. And when they came at me with dirty tactics, I had to slap them down. Nobody’s going to push me around anymore—not on the ice and not in life.
“Felix!”
I stop, relieved to be able to avoid the room for another minute, and turn to face Lurlene. She’s one of my favorite people in the organization, because she takes no bullshit and doesn’t stand on ceremony. Kind of like my mom.
“Hey, Lurlene.” I wait for her to reach me. “Did I forget to hand in some paperwork?”
She shakes her head. “Nah, honey, yours is perfect like always. I wish the rest of these cretins could fill in a form like you can.”
It’s not much of a compliment, but I’ll take it.
“I need a favor,” she continues, and I shrug.
“Sure.”
“We’ve got a new part-timer who knows sweet fuck all about hockey, and I need you to teach him the basics so he doesn’t make the club look ridiculous.”
I snort. “Fair call. Can he skate?”
“Don’t know. But he doesn’t need to be able to play, just to talk like he understands the game.” She pulls a disgusted face. “He can’t even answer the phones right now, he knows so little.”
“Yikes.” Why the fuck did the club hire someone like that when there are so many hockey fans out there? Whatever the guy’s job is, there has to be someone qualified to do it who also knows the sport. “I got you, Lurlene. Send him down to find me after practice.” Which reminds me… I have to go into that room. Now, before I’m late and Locke has another reason to ditch me.
“What’s with the face?” Lurlene asks, and I realize I’m grimacing.
“Nothing. Just… I’m worried I won’t be around long. I don’t think Coach likes me.”
She rolls her eyes and points out, “Franks didn’t like you either. People like you and me aren’t always universally loved, but we’re too valuable to get rid of, and that’s even better. Talk to you later.”
She’s gone before I remember to ask the name of the new guy. Oh well. He’ll introduce himself when he finds me. I’m kind of still stuck on the fact that I’d like to be both valuableandloved. It doesn’t have to be universally, but by a few more people than my family and one or two friends would be nice. By one special person in particular would be even better, but my search for Mr. Right has been fruitless so far.
That’s okay. I’m young—only in my forties. There’s time still.
Bracing myself, I shove open the door to the dressing room and make a beeline for my cubby. Everyone else is here already—not surprising, since I both dawdled and was stopped by Lurlene.
“’Bout time, Ansas,” Gline mutters as I dump my stuff and change into my gear. “Coach fired Wodds and Benning.”
I freeze with my shirt halfway over my head and then yank it the rest of the way off. He fired two assistant coaches? At the same time? Wodds is the senior defensive coach! “Are you sure?”
The look Gline gives me has me holding up my hands in apology. “Sorry, sorry. Of course you’re sure. Fuck.” I slide a glance toward the door of Coach’s office. “Did you hear anything about their replacements?”
He shrugs. “Not yet.”
I sit down to put my skates on, head spinning. We knew a shakeup of the coaching team was coming, but I didn’t expect multiple coaches to be fired at the same time. Does that mean he’s going to fire players too? I was expecting him to rely on trades to build the team he wants, and while I wasn’t looking forward to moving away from my home and family, the idea of being fired and not being able to play hockey for a living is even worse.
Though… would any team even take me in a trade? My reputation as a team player isn’t stellar right now, and none of the other teams are anywhere near as rough as the Warhammers.
The door opens, and the dressing room falls silent. If I wasn’t sweating bullets, I’d think it was funny.
He steps in and scans the room. “Coaches Wodds and Benning have decided to pursue other opportunities, so we’re down two coaches for the next few days,” he announces with no preamble. “I’m interviewing candidates already, but if you know someone who would be a good fit and want to recommend them, my door’s open. Hebbe, Sarcnet, Vitter, and Ansas, wait here a minute. The rest of you, get out there.”
My guts turn to water. This is it. He’s going to fire me, and the only thing I love outside of my family is going to disappear.
Gline shoots me a sympathetic grimace and slaps me on the shoulder. “It might be okay,” he offers, but we both know that’s bullshit. A coach known for his coolheaded tactical style doesn’t call aside the four most aggressive players on the team to invite them to his knitting circle. I’m doomed. I’m going to have to give in to loving family pressure and become an accountant. Which isnot good, since even after hours of trying, I cannot understand how Profit and Loss statements work.
