Page 142 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"Then why are you acting like the only thing you ever brought into that locker room was a hockey stick?"

I don't answer. Because I don't have one. Coach softens his voice. "Jamie, I can replace a center for a few games."

He pauses. "I can't replace the man that room follows."

The words settle somewhere deep.

Annette would probably tell me I’ve been measuring the wrong things again.

She’d probably be right.

I stand there for another moment, phone still in my hand. For weeks I've been wondering how to become Captain Walker again. Maybe Annette has been trying to teach me the wrong lesson.

Or maybe I've been learning the right one all along. Maybe today I don't have to become the captain again. Maybe I just have to remember how to be Jamie.

***

The familiar hallway smells exactly the way I remember. Fresh coffee. Stick tape. Equipment that has seen one too many road trips. Home. I stop outside the locker room just long enough to hear the voices inside.

Laughter, someone arguing about fantasy football, a roll of stick tape bouncing across the floor. Normal.

For the first time in months, I realize how much I've missed ordinary. I wrap my hand around the handle and push the door open. Nobody notices me right away. A conversation continues near the equipment shelves.

Someone laughs. Then Toby looks up. His eyes widen and he nudges Caleb.

Within seconds the room grows quieter, one conversation at a time. Liam leans back in his chair, folds his arms, and grins. "Well..." he says. "...look who finally remembered where we keep the coffee."

The room immediately relaxes. Laughter breaks out, and I shake my head. "I was hoping you'd matured while I was gone."

"Terrible disappointment, isn't it?"

"I'd call it tragic."

"You wound me, Captain." He points dramatically above his locker. "You notice anything?"

Against my better judgment, I look to see a brand-new poster hanging proudly on the wall.

Across the top, in enormous letters:

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Underneath is a heroic photograph of Liam standing on top of the Zamboni wearing aviator sunglasses. And next the next caption reads: Someone has to.

I stare at it for several seconds. Then back at Liam. "You've got entirely too much free time."

He beams. "I've missed you too."

I bump his shoulder gently with my good one. He bumps mine back just as carefully. The room erupts again. Even Coach, walking through with a clipboard tucked under one arm, glances at the poster.

"Liam."

"Yes, Coach?"

"If that thing survives the day..."

He pauses just long enough. "...I'll assume you're paying for everyone's eye exams."

Coach disappears into his office while the room explodes with laughter. Liam sighs dramatically. "My genius continues to go unappreciated."