I know it's taken forever to update and this is on the shorter side but I hope those of you that are still reading enjoy this one and understand why I did what I did.
Chapter 28: Teams
It was almost two weeks later that Lizzy found out about Dwayne's roommate and in a round-about way. Charlie came into the lunch room that day waving a green flyer. "What's up, Cap?" Russ asked.
"Hockey try-outs. One week, Thursday at four," Charlie rattled off. "Everyone is trying out this year, right?" He got the general agreement from most of the Ducks. "Lizzy, you have to try out at least. Come on, you're good enough too. Besides, even if you make the team, you don't have to play."
"I'll think about it," Lizzy answered.
"Why's it say all teams are null and void?" Goldberg asked.
"Because the school board, as much as they like to win, was tired of seeing Wilson pick everyone but us. So they forced him this year. According to Kyle, who overheard Wilson complaining to his dad, uh Kyle's dad, if Wilson didn't have at least three of us on the team besides Adam, he'd be fired," Dwayne explained.
"Kyle?" Luis asked.
"Kyle Riley. Rick's younger brother. He's my roommate this year but he seems better than his brother," Dwayne explained.
"Oh, he definitely is. Comes from having an older brother like that," Lizzy said.
"You have a thing for him?" Luis taunted.
"He's Kyle Riley. Even if I did, it wouldn't be any of your business." Lizzy shrugged.
"Hey, hockey!" Charlie chastised.
"Yes, hockey, and I'm sure if some of you guys go out and don't make varsity, Orion would be willing to allow you on jv," Lizzy soothed.
"Are you really not going to try out?" Fulton asked as he and Lizzy headed for their afternoon math class.
"Matt says I should, so does Adam, and Chris and Bash have said as long as I'm dedicated to baseball when that season rolls around they don't mind it so much. We already had this conversation, at the beginning of the school year."
"Not really. I asked you to and we talked about who could make varsity but you never said if you would or not. You're scared though?" It came out as more of a question and Lizzy could tell Fulton wasn't sure where her mind was when it came to hockey. Hell, she wasn't even sure where her mind was when it came to hockey.
"A little. I mean I know I'm good but what if Wilson can't see it? I won't take another year of jv."
"I understand. You're too good to be on jv. We all are now but some of us will have to deal with it. And we'll make it work."
"Don't sound so sad. A guy like you, there's no doubt Wilson will want you on varsity."
"Yeah. Even though he's got Brown."
"You'll be fine, Fulton."
The following Thursday, when they showed up for try outs neither coach was there and Lizzy noticed the brown box on varsity's bench. Lizzy skated over to it as the rest of them horsed around and spotted the note on top of the box. She picked up the note and read through it before letting out a Duck call. Everyone stopped and looked at her. "Looks like our coaches have decided to leave it in our hands. They want us to split up and scrimmage. Anyone want to take charge and get this underway?" Lizzy asked, holding up the note.
"We should warm up first, get the blood pumping and all," Kyle said. "Then maybe split up. I'll take one team if you take the other?"
"You think you should be captain because you're a Riley?" one of the other boys spat.
"Hey, knock it off. Deal with your pissing contest after practice," Lizzy said. "Has anyone here actually captained a high school team to state or even playoffs?" Lizzy looked around but mostly everyone was looking away. "Well then I think that makes Charlie uniquely qualified for this."
"You have too," Adam said.
"Maybe but that was baseball. We'll sort this out later, let's warm up," Lizzy told them.
After laps they split into two teams using the practice jerseys in the box, with Lizzy against Charlie and Fulton against Portman. Lizzy also had Kyle on her team and he turned out to be a great. Lizzy's team was up two-zip when Orion's voice called over the game. "Portman, Brown, switch teams. Conway, Jacobs, both you two." Lizzy sighed but swapped scrimmage jerseys with her cousin as Portman and Brown did the same. Eventually a whistle blew and they all stopped. Both Orion and Wilson came down out of the stands. "The lists will be posted on Monday and then varsity practice directly after school. JV will practice right after that," Orion said.
"If you're not up for it, let us know. I don't have time to waste on those who can't hack it. It's varsity high school hockey. For some of you, this is the last stop before you hit the pros. We have to focus on that and school's reputation. You make varsity, you show me you want it," Wilson said.
As they walked from the locker rooms back towards the dorms, Kyle stepped up next to Lizzy. "You did well today," Kyle said.
"Thanks, but that was easy stuff. So what do you think? Any of them good enough for varsity?" Lizzy asked.
"In my opinion, which doesn't count for all that much, most of them, of course."
"Like you'd say any different when we're surrounding you," Charlie scoffed. Lizzy looked around and saw most of the people around her were the old Ducks.
"No, really," Kyle said. "Unlike my brother who has a hard time admitting when he's beat or someone measures up, I know good when I see it. There's a reason why the Goodwill Games committee didn't put up much of a fuss when Bombay wanted to take his team to the Games. A bunch of one-time state winners or a team with a nearly 20-year streak, choice is usually obvious. But you're good. With Wilson, you could be even better."
"You really think that Wilson is going to give us that chance?" Lizzy asked.
"Honestly yes. He'll gripe about it, but if you work for it, he'll come to respect you for it. For about four of you Ducks, he has to take it," Kyle said.
"Has to?" Kenny asked. Though they had already heard it from Dwayne, they wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
"Look, best way to learn things is keep an ear out when people think they're alone. Wilson and my dad go way back, almost to school here and when my dad became the head of the school board they got even closer. If Wilson doesn't take at least four ..." Kyle shifted nervously as everyone came to a stop around him, "Ducks," he said as though there were a lack of a better term, "he'll be fired. Got to change with the times, my dad says. He doesn't like it any more than Wilson does, but he admits that some of you have potential. He's also under the delusion that I'm going to go on to college or pro hockey, so I'm not sure how much trust to put into his ideas, but he has a point."
"If you had to pick four, who'd it be?" Fulton asked.
"How did I get in the hot seat?" Kyle asked. Most of the Ducks laughed.
"Come on, none of us will be offended," Lizzy assured him.
"Banks, Germaine, Portman, and ..." Kyle trailed off and looked around. "Jacobs. It's a tough call between you and Conway, but you have a more even attitude."
"You mean because of Matt?" Lizzy asked.
"Because of Seth. I'm sure Matt's great, being on a Pro team is amazing but Seth's the best goalie this school has ever seen and if you really can get goals past him, there's no doubt you're good."
"Thanks, Kyle. You're not so bad." Lizzy smirked and everyone continued to the dorms.
"So you and Riley?" Connie asked shortly after they split from the boys and entered their hallway of the dorms. The boys had continued up to the second floor.
"No, he is very cute though. I'll give him that," Lizzy admitted.
"You want to?"
"I don't know. Would that be shallow of me?"
"Not shallow, just unexpected given your history with Portman," Julie spoke up.
"Maybe, I don't even know if he's into me."
"Oh, come on," Connie protested, "look at you. You're hot in your own right, and the way he was just flirting with you? Even attitude my butt. He was looking to score some points by choosing you over Charlie. Don't get me wrong, your cousin has his temper flare ups, but you put him to shame when you get angry and be honest, it happens more than Charlie gets angry."
"Maybe. You really think he's flirting?" Lizzy asked.
"That was total flirting," Julie confirmed.
"Didn't Port or Dwayne flirt before the two of you got together?" Connie asked.
"Dwayne and I were too young to know what flirting was the first time around, plus he's just generally that nice and Port and I knew each other over a year online before we met in person. Didn't know I was a girl so no real flirting. Maybe my other boyfriends after Dwayne flirted but it's different when they come from high class backgrounds and when they aren't supposed to be flirting."
"Aren't supposed to be flirting?" Connie asked.
"Bro code," Lizzy said simply.
"Bro code?" Connie asked.
"Hold that thought," Julie said. She slipped out of the room and headed for the bathroom and Lizzy took that moment to drop her hockey stuff in her room and spray on some deodorant before returning to Connie's doorway. The other brunette pulled her inside and shut the door so she could quickly change. By the time Julie got back, they were both sitting on the bed.
"Bro code?" Connie asked again.
"Male code? The set of rules all men are supposed to live by, see also: bros before hoes. Cannot believe I just said that," Lizzy explained.
"Essentially the rules when it comes to girls and relationships. One of the biggest pertains to sisters, exes, and girls they call dibs on," Julie added.
"You can't call dibs on a girl. Don't they know what dib stands for?" Connie asked outraged. "Dealer Identification Book. As in what they used to keep track of the cows at auction."
"I don't make the rules, I just know them from growing up with an older brother," Julie said.
Connie's gaze swung to Lizzy. "Growing up with six, I can confirm this. Anyway, like Julie said, The rules when it comes to male code is you can't flirt with, date, or call dibs on another girl that is your best friend's ex or sister or a girl they've called dibs on," Lizzy explained.
"But Kyle isn't a best friend to any of those boys," Connie said.
"I know, but he and Adam are kinda close which means the rule still applies and would you like to get your head bashed in if you didn't know how things were between the toughest enforcer this school has seen and the girl you have feelings for?" Lizzy asked.
"Okay, point taken. We should get to dinner," Connie agreed.
As they walked, Lizzy looked them both over. "Be honest, would either of you be upset if you didn't make varsity?" Lizzy said.
"A little bit. I've worked hard for this, it's all I've wanted and to know that he doesn't think I'm good enough, it hurts," Julie admitted.
"Like she said but I could live with it," Connie said.
"Would you stay?" Lizzy asked.
Both girls nodded. "What about you?" Connie asked.
"If I don't make the team? It's fine by me. I'm here on a baseball scholarship anyway. I don't need to play hockey," Lizzy answered.
"Maybe you don't need to but something tells me it's what you want to do," Julie answered. Talk died off as they entered the cafeteria and got their food.
"So I have this idea," Lizzy said as they all sat down. All the Ducks turned to look at her. "Once a week, no matter what happens with hockey or any other sport, we, the 14 of us, have lunch to touch base and make sure we're all okay. I know you guys have other friends, girlfriends, projects and everything, but once a week we all have lunch."
"That's a good idea," Guy said.
"I'm into that," Fulton added. Slowly everyone agreed. At least up to Charlie. "What gives, Conway, you should be the first to jump on this," Fulton prodded.
"There isn't a single day of the week we all have the same lunch hour," Charlie said. "Though it's a good plan."
"I can think of two," Adam said.
"I can think of four," Lizzy said. "First, Tuesday and Thursday, though half the time Portman takes that time to eat with his new shop buddies, and second, Saturday and Sunday."
"Name a day and I'm there," Portman said. "We should definitely integrate with these preppies, half of them aren't so bad, but we're a team, we'll always be a team, and sometimes being together slows things down and brings up things we wouldn't notice otherwise."
"Like Lizzy's crush on Riley?" Adam suggested.
"Jerk," Lizzy said without bite. "And it's not a crush. Crush implies that my heart's out there enough to get hurt and it's not." She smirked. "I just said he was cute."
"So, day?" Charlie pushed.
"How about Tuesday?" Lizzy answered.
"Why Tuesday?" Dwayne asked.
"Well, Friday varsity has its games so some of us are going to spend a lot of time together that day and waiting a whole week to talk about it isn't cool, Saturdays are sometimes reserved for family, and Tuesdays just seem right. Middle of the week, essentially and not much else is going on," Lizzy explained. The team seemed okay with that.
The one thing that surprised Lizzy was when Kyle showed up Monday at lunch. She was talking with Charlie, Goldberg, Fulton, and Connie when he grabbed the back of her chair, dragged it backwards and turned it a bit so he could stand in front of her.
"What do you want Riley?" Fulton asked.
"You saw the lists, didn't you?" Kyle asked as he focused solely on Lizzy.
"Yeah, Portman, Germaine, Banks—"
"You and Gaffney," Kyle cut her off impatiently. "Rick was home this weekend and the both of us overheard my dad on the phone with Wilson. I didn't hear the entire conversation but heard enough to know that Wilson just wanted the three boys until Orion reminded him that he needed one more. He was all set on taking Tyler but Orion would only offer up you or Averman. Tyler played the wrong side. That and you'd help bring the team together. Wilson tried to get Conway based on that thinking, a kid can be just as good a winger as a center and he's done it before, but like I said, Orion was only willing to part with you or Averman. No offense to him or anything but I'm sure the only reason Orion picked him is to guarantee that Wilson would take you. I mean, I'm sure Averman is great but—"
"Kyle, why didn't he just take Julie? Three others besides Banks and having a back-up goalie that's a girl isn't going to kill her. More acceptable to put her on the bench because your current goalie, what's his name?"
"Thomas Harkins."
"Right, he's a senior and played back up to Scooter last year, he needs all the playing time he can get so he makes her number two and then he's got his Banks plus three."
"I think ... Like I said I didn't hear the whole story but I think he was set on that but Orion pointed out his roster still needed another winger."
"Right, so you had a point to this story, didn't you?"
"Right, so Dad told Wilson you must have had some potential being able to take over for Banks last year but Wilson deluded himself into thinking that maybe it was more about the guys you were playing with and to make a longer story shorter, he took you and Gaffney because he had to and he's not going to let you play."
"Just me?"
"You and Gaffney both. Wilson is a hard core misogynist and will do almost anything to keep the two of you down. He thinks all sports should be men only and when it comes to hockey especially, girls shouldn't be anywhere near the rink. He even hates that we have cheerleaders."
"That doesn't sound so bad. Maybe sexist but definitely misogynistic."
"Just trust me."
"What do you suggest I do—Julie and I do about it?"
"Getting the team on your side is a start. As for the rest, well, we called you the puppet master for a reason," Kyle shrugged. Lizzy shook her head. He had definitely given her a lot to think about and she knew that she'd have to talk it over with Julie and see what the blonde wanted to do. It'd be a lot of work if they decided they needed to take on Wilson and by extension any part of the board that sided with him, but she knew if he refused to let her play at all and did the same with Julie, it wouldn't fly with either girl. Julie was too good to ride the bench all season and Lizzy would eventually feel useless not helping.