CHAPTER TEN
ETHAN
The weather holdsout until the week after Halloween, at which point we’re almost a month into the regular season. We haven’t woneverygame, but the lines have continued to gel, and we’re winning more than we’re losing—a definite improvement over the last few years.
After an overtime loss at home against Detroit, I walk out of the arena to find three inches of snow on the ground, with more falling by the minute. The peaceful blanket of white feels like a bandage over the disappointment of the loss.
As I crunch my way toward the players' lot, I hear the whirring of wheels spinning in the snow. There, under a light, is Jamie Carter, trying desperately to get his Ford Focus to move forward.
Ever since that preseason game against Dallas, our relationship has thawed. After our first regular season loss — a tight one against Columbus — I could see he expected me to change my seat on the plane. But the fact of the matter is I enjoy his company — and I’m trying not to think too hard about why.
I've been trying to be his captain in the way I should have been earlier in the season – congratulating him when things go well, laughing at his jokes, and taking some of the press attention off his shoulders.
“Everything ok here?” I ask, wondering why he's even driving this car in this climate. Surely even a rookie contract is enough to afford something with four-wheel drive?
“Fine, Cap. I'll probably call an Uber and try again in the morning.” His hands are shaking, his lack of gloves and scarf as out of place as the Focus.
“In this weather, right after the game? The surcharges are going to be through the roof. I don't suppose you have chains or sand in the back of that thing?”
He looks at me, confusion clear on his face.
“Right. Cali boy. Well, Cali Boy, let me be the first northerner to tell you this is a dumb car to be driving. You should sell it and get something that's ready for the snow.”
He flushes pink, and I wonder how much of that is from the cold and how much from embarrassment.
“I...it's a rental. I didn't want to...invest.” He seems ashamed to admit this, as though he's the first rookie to drive a rental car.
“Invest?” The word seems out of place, like he's talking about more than just the monetary value of the vehicle.
“Yeah, you know...get myself a Subaru and the winter tires and whatever in case I get sent down. Or traded.”
With the confidence I've seen from Carter over the past few months, I'd never have thought that would be a concern. For all the times I wished he'd just leave, I never really thought it was a possibility.
“Are you kidding? You're the superstar, the wünderkind. You're not going anywhere.” The fact of the matter is, our record would be dismal without his offense. He's the bright light that makes the rest of us shine, and I can't think of a single person in the room who thinks we'd be better offwithout him.
“Let's just say I wasn’t always sure of my welcome here. I mean, my agent didn't even think Minnesota was interested in me. I'm honestly still not sure they are.”
Now it's my turn to blush, to realize that I have played a role in those feelings.
“I...I'm sorry about that. I should have had your back during camp. But you should know – Greg wasveryinterested in you. Talked to me about it in June, knew that you'd be what we needed. And Ramsey felt exactly the same during camp.”
He looks astonished, unable to come up with words. I leave out my own feelings in that conversation, although I'm sure he could guess them.
“I think you may understand nowwhyyou showing up here was kind of a worst-case scenario for me. But I should have handled it better. We need you here, and you should know that.”
He sniffs a little and I look away, distinctly uncomfortable with the emotions that are coming up.
“So what do you say we get you out of this parking lot?”
He looks up at me, eyes shining. “Do you have an idea? Maybe if I push and you steer?”
“In that thing? Hell no. Even if I get you out, it'll be a death trap on the roads. You can ride with me – as long as you promise to start looking at cars when you get home.” He chuckles at this, sniffling one last time.
“Deal.”
We drag our bags to the far corner of the lot, where my SUV sits. With our bags in the back, Carter opens the door and sits in the passenger seat.
“So where do you live? Downtown?” Most of the rookies choose a condo in one of the highrises there, all the better to enjoy being young and single. I wonder at what kind of guys Carter is bringing back tohiscondo.
