Chapter 10
Kortney's P.O.V.
As the guys stretch, Uncle Herb, Julie, Craig Patrick, and I all stand in a tiny circle on the ice.
"I just don't how it's gonna affect the chemistry of the boys," says Craig.
"I don't know. We'll see," Uncle Herbie responds.
"Timmy," Craig calls to Tim harrer, who skates onto the ice.
"It's good to have you here, Tim," Uncle Herbie says.
Julie and I watch the reactions of the boys. Most of them look confused, pissed, or, frankly, scared.
"Thanks, Coach, " Tim responds.
Mark's P.O.V.
"Thanks, Coach, " Tim responds.
I watch as Tim Harrer, a player for the Minnesota Gophers, skates onto the ice.
What the hell? Why is he here? Did Kort know about this? I wonder to myself.
"Hey, why is he here?" someone asks.
"Did you guys know he was gonna be here?" someone else asks.
We all shake our heads no. I just shake it off and go through the rest of practice. It's probably nothing. But, just in case, I decide that it's about time to see Kortney today.
After practice I knock on her door.
"Hey there, Sparky."
Kortney's P.O.V.
"Hey there, Sparky."
I recognize Pav's voice immediately.
"Hi, Pav. What's up?"
"Nothing. I just feel like I haven't seen you in a while," he says.
He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. I shuffle papers, waiting for him to say something.
"Pav, I can tell that there's something on your mind. Is this about Tim?"
"No. Well, I don't know. Maybe. I guess. Yes. Yes it is."
"Pav, listen-"
"No, Kortney, you listen, okay? I've been working my ass off the last few months and now, weeks before the games, your uncle is bringing in other players. That's bullshit. I have wanted this ever since I can remember and now-"
"Mark! Slow down! Tim is just an experiment. For team chemistry purposes. It's to see if you all are really a team. It has nothing to do with any of you. I know that you, specifically, are in no danger of being cut. My Uncle loves you and really likes the way that you skate and think. Don't even worry about it," I respond, making my way over to him.
He looks at me, his eyebrows knitted in confusion.
"Oh, um, really?" he asks, his cheeks beginning to flush.
"Yeah really," I chuckle. "I've never seen you like that. I kind of enjoyed it."
He begins to laugh. Then, I don't really know what happens. We just start to laugh. We laugh and laugh and laugh. About nothing. We don't care though. We are just enjoying ourselves and enjoying each other. Eventually, though, we are able to calm ourselves down.
"Oh, goodness. I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time," I say, between breaths.
"I don't know if I've ever laughed that hard," Pav responds. "But that's good to hear. I feel better now. Thanks, Sparky."
He ruffles my red hair. I hug him tightly and close my eyes. My head rests against his chest. He places his index finger under my chin and lifts my head up to his. He presses our foreheads together and then our lips. I sigh when we pull away, completely content with this life.
"Come on, Rizzo!" Uncle Herbie yells at Rizzo.
"I know, Coach. I know," Rizzo responds, shaking his head at himself.
"If you knew, then why did you do it? Again? You better start putting the puck in the net, Rizzo, or you're not going anywhere. And don't think that I won't do it. Johnson's line up! Let's go!"
"Poor Rizzo," Julie says.
I nod, sighing. I like Rizzo. He's really sweet and kind. I really don't want him to go home because of stupid Tim Harrer.
I climb onto the bus, taking a seat in the front, next to Julie. The boys file past us. Despite our tie with the IHL all-stars, I was upset.
"Julie, I'm pissed," I whisper, looking over at her. "I noticed my Uncle was totally favoring Tim Harrer."
"Oh, I know. Poor Rizzo looked like he was about to burst out into tears," she responds.
Craig Patrick enters through the bus doors. He approaches Uncle Herbie – who is sitting across from us – Julie, and I.
"Herb, some of the boys wanted to have a word," he says, hinting a smile.
"What about?" Uncle Herbie asks, annoyed.
"I think you'll want to hear them out," Craig responds, shrugging.
"Apparently we're not the only ones who noticed," I say, exiting the bus behind my Uncle.
"This better take about two minutes," Uncle says when we reach four boys standing out in the cold.
Robbie, Mark Johnson, OC, and Rizzo all stand before us, decked out in their USA jackets.
"This is crazy, Herb; bringing him in this late," OC begins.
"We got parents buying tickets, getting rooms. I mean, what are we supposed to tell them?" Robbie says.
"With one of us going home as it is?" OC continues.
"I guess I don't have to ask where you stand on this huh, Rizzo?" Uncle Herb turns towards Rizzo.
"This wasn't Rizzo's idea," Robbie interjects.
"You want me to say I'm scared of getting cut? I'm scared of getting cut. Everybody is," Rizzo responds.
"We just want it to be fair, Herb," says OC.
"Don't try to tell me that. He was right there in Colorado," Herb says.
"That was six months ago," Rizzo replies.
"You don't think he's been playing for the last six months?" Herb says.
"Not with us, he hasn't," Rizzo again.
"So?"
"So there's a difference."
"Like hell there is. All I know is that kid can flat out play."
"What? And we can't?" asks OC.
"Well, he moves the puck, he's got great vision on the ice stick, soft hands-"
"That's not the point!" Robbie yells back.
"I'll tell you something else he's got. He's got the attitude I want on and off the ice, so somebody here better explain to me why I shouldn't be giving him a hell of a look."
"Because we're a family," Mark Johnson says.
"What?" Herb asks.
"We're a family," he reiterates, with even more confidence this time.
"A family?"
"Yeah," Mark replies.
"Yeah," OC interjects.
I bite down a smile and stare at the ground. Uncle Herb thinks it over for a minute.
"And this is the family you want to go to Lake Placid with?"
"Definitely," OC says.
"Yeah, without a doubt," Rizzo adds.
"Absolutely," Mark throws in.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Robbie says.
"Timmy, here, can help us boys, but I'm gonna send him home. You got one more to get down to twenty. You understand."
And with that Uncle Herbie makes his way back to the bus. I smile widely at Mark Johnson, and he breathes out, relieved. Robbie walks up next to me. I chuckle as he smiles, brushing off his shoulders. Julie hugs OC and Rizzo. Then, we all make our way back to the bus.