All of us gathered together in the locker room when there’s no game means bad news.
They all stand in a semi-good half circle around Aaron, Colin, and me, but their eyes stay locked on me. The fuck did I do?
Luan and I have not made our relationship public, although his comments under my social media posts leavelittleto people’s imagination. I don’t mind it as much as I thought I would.
Plus, after years of being harassed by homophobes, the insults have finally died down and I only receive about a hate-package a month. I’m pretty sure they’ll come right back the second I confirm a relationship, but I’m prepared this time.
“Davis,” Coach Carter says in his usual snappy and grumpy tone, telling me little about what the fuck I have done.
“Coach?”
Coach Carter looks at Nolan May, our team captain, nods at him as if to give him the go to speak.
Nolan clears his throat and looks right at me, but while he looks at me, I turn my head to see if either of my best friends haveanyclue what this is about. I find them suppressing smiles.
“The team has decided something,” Nolan begins, his voice monotonous, not giving anything away. “As you may know, this is my last season.”
Yeah, he’s retiring next year.
I nod, still a little unsure of why he’s talking tomelike I didn’t know that.
“A couple of days ago, I asked each member of this team who they think would make a great new captain. Someone who’d be willing to go the extra mile, but not just that. I wanted my follow-up to be someone the team can go to, who’d be supportive and still make sure to kick their asses if needed. I wanted someone whodeservesto be captain of this team not just because he’s great on the ice, but because he’s a great person.”
I don’t want to assume where this is going because imagine it’s not going where I think this is going. But it does sound like it, doesn’t it? It’s far too early to decide on a new captain. Nolan still has a whole year left, the season just started.
“Davis,” Nolan says, his voice now a whole lot friendlier. “I’d like to ask you, in the name ofeveryone, to become the next captain of the New York Rangers. I’ll still finish the season, but as soon as the season ends, weallwould like to have you take over the title.”
Oh, my god. I think my heart just stopped beating. Am I still alive? I don’t think I am.
Colin wanted to be the new captain, he’s great at being one, too. I know because he’s been the captain of our college team since our sophomore year. I, on the contrary, have no idea what captains do. Do they even do anything really?
Shit.
Wow. I… Wow.
I look at Colin, then back at Nolan just blinking and barely understanding what the hell is happening. This has got to be a mistake, like an error in the matrix because there is no way I was asked to be captain.
“Davis?” Nolan waves a hand right in front of my eyes, making sure I am still alive. But am I really?
“Captain?”
“Unless you don’t want to.”
“What?! No, yes, of course!” Freaking Captain.
“Well, then Davis…”
Before anyone can talk to me any further, I get up from the bench and excuse myself. I’m sure Colin and Aaron are cracking jokes about me leaving to cry, and honestly, I might, but I’m actually leaving to call Luan.
I stand in front of the empty ice, blinking away a few tears that I blame on missing my boyfriend, for sure. Pulling out my phone, I instantly dial Luan’s number and wait until he picks up.
I know he’s at soccer practice right now, but I’m still hoping he won’t let my call go to voicemail.
Come on, baby, pick up.
Just when I think I’ll get sent to voicemail, Luan does pick up the phone. “Now, Grey Davis, if you missed me so much that you call me while you know very well I’m busy, you could’ve at least FaceTimed me.”
He’s right. “Colin is getting married,” I say, starting off with anything but the news about me.
