Page 40 of Josh’s Play

“If it isn’t Campbell Ryan.” He looked me up and down. “If it isn’t Campbell Ryan doing the walk of shame.” I could feel the heat flooding my face. Noah bumped my shoulder. “Good for you.”

“It’s not … I was …” Noah raised his brows at me. “Okay, whatever. Good morning.”

“Good morning to you too.” He laughed.

“Hey! Those of us who made it home last night were talking about the stragglers’ party. You know, at Thanksgiving? I know your family is close by, but you’re coming back for voluntary practice that Friday, right?” Noah used air quotes on the word voluntary as if we both didn’t know that Coach expected us to be there.

“Yeah, I’m traveling up for the day on Thursday, but I’ll be back.”

“Good, because Diane is going home for the holiday, and I’ll be all alone.”

“Don’t sound so dramatic. You guys have only been dating, what, like three months?” I asked, forcing a casual tone. I knew exactly when Noah met Diane because it was the same week Josh and I had met.

“I know, man. But she’s really great. Like, ‘I think she might be the one’ great.” He popped a big piece of bacon in his mouth and spoke around it. “I don’t think I ever really thanked you for inviting her to that party. So I guess, thank you for spraining your ankle last summer.” He shoved my shoulder with his. “You bonehead.”

“Bonehead?”

“Yeah, man. You’re headed to the NHL, and you twist your ankle goofing off with your kid brothers. You need to be more careful.” He pointed down between us. “Those are golden ankles right there.”

I shouldered him back. “Your girlfriend certainly thought so when she had her hands all over them.” I raised my hands and made massaging motions.

Noah leaned in close though our teammates on the other side of the table were laughing over something on one of their phones and paying us no mind. “I always wondered why you invited her that day since you didn’t hit on her. Diane has a theory, you know.”

“Does she now,” I said cautiously.

“Don't worry, I told her she was full of shit, but she thinks the person you really wanted to invite is that short guy, Josh. The one you’re doing the project with.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I ignored it and snorted at him. “That’s one theory. Truth is, that was before school started, there was hardly anyone on campus, and I ran into two people our age. I figured some new blood at the Hockey House would be a good thing. Based on the fact that you’ve been attached to Diane’s side ever since, I think I was right.”

“Okay, so if you’re not into that Josh guy,” he said casually as if that were a possibility and no big deal, “we can try and fix you up with someone at the stragglers’ party. There are always people we haven’t met there. It’ll be fun!”

My heart was pounding at my lie, and I thought about what it would be like to just come out and say, Actually, yeah, I invited Josh because I thought he was hot. Noah started listing names of women who he thought might be at the party.

“… Oh! And there’s a girl from London in my statistics class. I’ll ask her.”

I drowned him out when my phone pinged, and I yanked it from my pocket. Part of me wished it was Josh checking in. Instead, it was Coach, asking to see me.

Since my first class didn’t start until afternoon, I visited Coach after my morning workout.

“Son, I heard from my buddy, Denny, after the game last night.”

“Was he here?”

“He didn’t come personally, but he sent a scout, and the guy has been praising you up and down to Denny. I wasn’t sure I should tell you this, but handling the pressure is all part of the game, right? Denny said he’ll be here personally for our next home game.”

I sat up straighter in my seat. My heart began pounding for the second time that day. I opened my mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

“I think you and your parents need to start thinking about your future, Cam. Maybe hire a …”

“Sir, my parents can’t afford …”

“I know, Cam. And I’ll help you out as much as I can, but this is the big game now, son. You need someone looking out for your best interests. An agent, a lawyer. You need to focus on the future.

“Talk to your parents over the holiday. I’d like the opportunity to speak with them as well if you think that’s appropriate. You’re still a junior. You have time and possibly even options beyond Buffalo. I just need you to stay focused.”

“Yes, sir,” I said firmly. In my brain I was chanting no distractions, stay focused, as I tried to push thoughts of anything, of anyone, but hockey out of my brain. I stood and turned to go.

“Oh, and son?”