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A pat on my back is strong enough that I lurch forward. That or I’ve suddenly grown weak.
“Not gonna question it this time?” Coach Young smirks at me, but not in a mean way. Her eyes glint.
“Uh, matter fact, I will. Why me?”
“Because of this.” Coach Young takes another jersey, calls the name, and makes another throw. “It’s kind of annoying, but there’s value in you questioning things. Just learn when to do it and when to stay mum.”
“Uh… yes, ma’am.”
“Besides,” Coach McDonald adds with a little laugh, “it was kind of funny to see how you neutralized the Bolts’ captain and stole the foam roller from him.”
My eyes are probably wider than pucks.
“Wait. You saw that?” I shake my head hard. “Cassiano is their captain now?”
“Brewer,” Coach calls and throws.
One second later, JT hoots. “Aw yeah, baby. Alternate captain!”
Well, we’re certainly a choice. JT, who is extravagant. Chelsea, who is sly. And me. The most impulsive person on earth.
I wait until everyone is suited up and we’re about to make the trip out to the ice. Deliberately, I slow down until I fall back with the coaches.
“Coach Young, I—don’t get me wrong, this is a great honor. But I’m not sure I’m the right person for the job.”
It’s dark out here in the hallway, but her eyes can probably see right through my helmet and skull. I bet she can read all my insecurities, my fears, all the bravado I put out to hide them.
“I appreciate you bringing up this concern. One of the reasons I chose you is because you’re not afraid to speak your mind.” She pauses to take a pack of gum from her pocket. “You’re part of the first-ever class of Strikes. The team needs to be memorable. You, Brewer, and White will make sure of that.”
I cringe. “What if we make it memorable the wrong way?”
“Then the team crumbles, we get our budget cut even more, and maybe I’ll lose my job.” I can’t believe she can say all that with a brilliant smile. She puts her hand on my shoulder pad. “So don’t screw up, all right?”
“I—yes. I mean no, ma’am.”
“Good. Now go give us our first W.”
On that note, I march like a stiff robot to join the team. My heart pounds like I’m in the third period already, even though I’m stepping onto the ice for the first time.
The arena looks different lit only by strobe lights. I skate around, doing basic drills in a trance. The added responsibility feels like I just put on ten extra pounds in the span of minutes.
Well, I didn’t come here to fool around. I came here to win. That hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s more important now. And the only way I can do that is by focusing on the game.
By the time the lights are on, I’m ready. I sing the anthem with a bit more passion than usual. Who would’ve thought a Venezuelan American girl would be the captain of her Division I hockey team? Not me.
Or that a girl who once lost her ability to walk would play again? Definitely not me. But I’m a tough girl. A little responsibility won’t crack me.
I faceoff with a girl from the opposite team. She gives me a weird look, probably because the grin on my face is some villain type of shit.
The ref drops the puck, and it’s showtime.
There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of sticks slamming against each other and against the ice. It’s the soundtrack of my victory as I steal the puck and pass it over to Brit. I don’t know if it’s that we’re all giddy about having just gotten jerseys and we’re feeling like we’re finally on a team, but we play like our moves have been choreographed.
Not even two minutes into the first period, and we have our first goal. I throw myself into the mass of bodies celebrating. We’re gonna pulverize this team.
Play resumes, and I return to the bench for a line change. I spot something familiar in the scarce crowd. My brother’s face. And my sister’s. And her best friend’s.
It’s the latter who waves his arms at me and claps like a proud parent whose child just scored a buzzer beater. Very on brand for Brooklyn. Meanwhile, my siblings look disinterested to the naked eye. Aran, the middle kid, is probably watching our every move like a hawk. But Olivia, the youngest, couldn’t care less about hockey and was probably dragged here by the other two.
