told Saige on New Year’s Eve that I’ve never really had superstitions. Never before now. But I need to keep this momentum going, so I think about my breakfast, my lunch, and my dinner. Same things I’ve had before any other game. I got to the rink at the same time as normal. All my clothes have been freshly laundered.
“Did you get some? Because isn’t that girl the lucky chick. She’s got you for the entire season.” Ford unlaces his skates, and I shake my head before something else clicks in my brain.
I’m pretty sure no one’s superstition has ever been crashing and burning while hitting on a woman.
“DRAKE!” Coach Vittner calls from his office.
I slip on my slides and walk across the room still in my pads. My teammates are all patting me on the back for a great job. It’s one of the best things about being on a team when you do things that boost everyone.
“Yeah, Coach?” I peek my head in and he gestures me to come inside.
“Close the door. You guys are way too loud tonight.” But he’s smiling and I catch an open bottle of Jack Daniels on his desk. Looks like even the coach is celebrating. “Good game tonight. I’m proud of you. Whatever you did, you need to fucking repeat it for the next game.”
“I didn’t do anything differently and I don’t really believe in superstitions—”
“You’re a hockey player.”
Okay, I should clarify it’s not that I don’t believe in superstitions, I’ve just never needed them. I guess I’m new to the whole obsession.
“I just wanted to call you in here because you played great tonight. I got wind of what could be gossip, but if your performance doesn’t stay like it was tonight, there’s a chance your bags are packed by the end of February.”
“Trade?”
He sighs. “If it was my decision, it’s a no-brainer. I knew you’d be where you are tonight. But it’s the big man. He makes the decisions. Let’s give it to him right in the ass for even thinking of getting rid of you.”
I fucking love Coach Vittner, and this is why. He’s a true leader and goes to bat for his players all the damn time.
“Shit. Just as the pressure was easing up.”
He chuckles. “I tell you this to encourage you to do everything in your power to score and win, not to make you depressed like some teenage boy who hasn’t touched his first tit. Come on, Drake. You’ve got this.”
“But what if next game I don’t?” Even I hate the unsureness in my tone.
“Oh fuck, that’s not what I wanna hear. I wanna hear you say you’re gonna score. You’re gonna win. You’re gonna screw Carl Gerhardt right up the ass.”
“Well…” I cock my head.
“Too far, I know. But go out there and celebrate tonight. And whatever you did before tonight’s game, repeat it.”
“Yes, sir.” I turn, and with my hand on the doorknob, I stop. “Coach?” I turn back and he’s drinking his Jack Daniels from a paper cup. “The whole superstition thing is like twenty-four hours before game time?”
He shrugs. “Every hockey player has their own. I guess you’re about to find out what yours is. But don’t go experimenting and fuck it up. Anything that’s different in your life, do before next game.”
“But—”
“Drake, we’re not building a damn rocket here. If this is about some girl you slept with last night, hate to break it to you, but retrieve that phone number out of the trash. We’re talking about your career here.”
I nod and leave Coach’s office.
Maksim comes up to me, naked, swinging his huge dick way too close to me. “What do you need me to do? Pick up food from a certain place? Not touch your shit? Wear your jockstrap? Hell, you name it.”
“Yeah, Shamrock, we’re your men. Whatever you need us to do to make this a streak.” Ford comes alongside Maksim, looking down. “Goddamn, remind me never to do a porno with you.”
I think long and hard. “I think I have to track someone down. Maksim, do you have a business card from that woman we met on New Year’s—Saige?”
“The cute blonde?” he asks.
“I knew you went home with her when we couldn’t find you. Home alone, my ass.” Ford flips me off.
“Yeah, the blonde.” I nod at Maksim.
He reaches into his bag and hands it to me. “Here you go.”
I sit on the bench and twirl the card around in my hands. I have to be delusional