Page 55 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

I’m irritated. Not that that’s anything new these days. But my rehab progress seems to have stalled. And as far as I’m concerned, if I’m not moving forward, then I may as well be going backward.

Footsteps heading in my direction force me to look up, and when I do, I find Coach marching toward me, his brows pulled tight.

“Everything okay?” he asks once he’s close enough for me to hear.

“Yeah, great.” The lie drips from each word, and his frown only deepens.

“Come on,” he says in that commanding tone of his before he turns his back on me and begins marching down the hallway, expecting me to follow. Which, of course, I do, because this is Coach. He asks you to jump and you fucking do, as high and as far as you fucking can.

He takes a right and walks into one of the meeting rooms up here. I follow soon after and awkwardly drop into one of the chairs while Coach rests his ass against the edge of the desk.

He stares at me, waiting patiently for me to start talking. But I don’t even know where to start.

“I’m just frustrated,” I try to explain.

Coach nods, but he doesn’t take it easy on me and take over.

“I know progress is going to be slow, but knowing it and experiencing it are two very different things. I just want to be back out there. I fucking hate all of this. I just want to do my job, Coach.”

“You are, Calvin.” Hearing him say my real name makes my chest compress.

Coach has no idea, but he’s the closest thing I’ve had to a father for quite a few years. I respect the fuck out of him, and always take on any advice he’s willing to dish out. He’s lived this life; he’s had all the highs and lows that come with being a professional hockey player. He’s also proof that it doesn’t need to be over once you hang up your jersey. He’s an incredible coach. He might push us to our limits on the daily, but we all appreciate the fuck out of him.

“Working through injuries and coming back stronger are a part of the job. There’s no arguing that it’s not the best part of the job, but it’s a part of it all the same.”

I take a few deep breaths, and my eyes drop to the floor between us.

“Do you…do you think they’ll keep me after this?”

Silence.

Panic races through my veins.

“Oh my god. I’m going to be traded. They’re going to send me to the East Coast, , or⁠—

“You know I can’t make those kinds of promises. Decisions like that are out of my hands just as much as they are yours. Do I think they should trade you? No, I don’t. You’re an asset to this team. Have been since your very first day. But we watch trades all the fucking time that make no sense to anyone but those involved in making the decisions.

“All you can do is focus on your recovery and prove to everyone that you deserve your spot here once you’re back on the ice.”

I blow out a long breath. I knew that was what he was going to say; I’d just hoped I’d feel better having heard it.

I don’t.

“Monroe…he’s⁠—”

“He’s doing an incredible job in your place. But you don’t need me to tell you that this is a team game. We need all our defensive pairs to be outstanding if we’re going to go all the way again. First line, second, third—every position on this team is one to be proud of.

“Will things look the same when you get back on the ice next season? No, of course not. Things change too quickly for that kind of constant, but change isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need. A different partner, a new lineup, a fresh team.

“Try to keep an open mind and embrace everything as it hits you. And you never know, all your fears might just be for nothing.

“All of us, including me, could be on the move before we’re ready. We just have to make the most of our time while we have it.

“It won’t be long, and you’ll be traveling with us again and getting revved up to jump back out there.”

Here’s hoping.

“Any plans for when we’re away?”