Page 16 of Hard to Get

But I have to get through the day first.

I don’t really believe in that “message from the universe” stuff. Well, maybe I do. Stella was right; we both live in the neighbourhood and walk our dogs at the same time and place. It’s probability, not destiny, that we keep running into each other.

Or is it?

I’m definitely attracted to her. Intrigued by her. She’s pretty, yes. But also confidence and intelligence shine in her eyes, a deep chocolate midnight that’s soft and warm but also sharp.

If we ran into each other somewhere else, then I’d believe it’s destiny.

I focus on hockey during our practice in the morning. The final roster has been announced and there are quite a few changes from last season. I think management is trying to make the team better with the new additions, but I guess we’ll see. Adding the rookie Finn Kemper is a positive move. Bo Chuba, a winger from Czech Republic, is new, also Faraz Namdar, also a winger. There are two new D-men and our backup goalie is new as well.

The guys who are gone were good guys, though. They just didn’t hide the fact they had a hard time playing with Bish.

Join the club.

The dude’s got an abrasive personality, no doubt about it. He does have talent, though.

Yesterday, we spent the day doing team-building activities, first on the ice then off. We did some crazy games where we had to work together to get through a mine field (aluminum pie plates set out on the floor) and keep a bucket of water in the air with our feet. It was a good way to get to know some of the new players better. But Bish kept trying to take over and order everyone around. He’s not the captain. He’s not even an alternate. But he’s definitely aggressive.

He’s like that on the ice, too.

So today’s practice is pretty laid-back. We had the deep motivational talk yesterday and I have to say, our new coach Marc Dupuis, also known as Super Duper, or just Duper, is impressive. Something about him makes me trust him, but I’m always cautious with coaches I don’t know.

He talked about how he sees his role as coach of the team. “Coaches are supposed to draw up plays, right? Put players in the game and take them out. Call time-outs. Yell at the refs. Shout from behind the bench.”

We all chuckled at that.

He talked about how he was made captain of the Chicago Aces when he was only twenty years old. How he was known as “Captain Codger” because he was calm and focused and serious. “But I didn’t know what I was doing,” he says with apparent sincerity and honesty. “I knew I was supposed to be a leader, and I guess I did have some leadership skills at that point, but the only thing I knew for sure I could do was show up every day and work my hardest. So that’s what I did. I led by example. That’s what we all need to do: lead by example. For each other. Show up, work hard, and hold each other accountable for that. It turned out I wasn’t the only leader in that room. Everyone in that room—okay, mostly everyone—knew what it took to be a leader. What it took to be part of a good team. Everyone has a responsibility to lead by example.”

It got me thinking, and maybe some of the other guys too.

And I didn’t feel great about the kind of example I’ve been.

He even referenced Ted Lasso when he was talking about the team’s history, telling us about Ted telling his players to have the memory of a goldfish. This was when he was talking about our dismal history and how we can’t let the past affect how we play now. “Living in the past is a waste of time. You can’t change anything. You all know that already. You make a mistake on the ice, you have to forget it and keep playing. So what happened in the past in this organization is a story… someone else’s story. Even those of you who’ve been here for a while. Because none of us are the same men we were last season. Or the season before. We’re starting over. Starting now.”

I felt a reluctant tug of… what was that? Optimism?

I’m not a pessimist, but it’s hard to be hopeful about the coming season after having those hopes bludgeoned year after year.

After practice and a team lunch in the players’ lounge, LG and I head out to go shopping. There are a couple of clothing stores I really like in Gastown. I like having nice clothes; LG would rather play WWE 2K25 on his PlayStation than shop, but I’m dragging him with me. Maybe I can convince him to up his style game.

We leave my SUV in a parking garage and walk over to Urban Stride. They have great kicks. I love my Blundstones and I want a pair in another colour. I end up leaving with two new pairs of boots.

We move on to Jack and Sky, a clothing store. I turn left inside the front doors to the men’s section and start browsing through sweaters and long-sleeve T-shirts. I grab a long-sleeved polo sweater that’s super soft. “Look,” I say to LG. “It’s made of cashmere and cotton.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“Seriously. Feel it.”

He brushes his fingers over the fabric. “Okay, yeah, that’s nice. Does it come in black?”

“Probably.”

A cute sales associate appears with a big smile. “Can I help you?”

LG’s interest rises. “Do you have that in black?” He points at the shirt in my hands.

“We do.” She moves around the counter. “Right here. What size?” She eyes him. “I think large.” She pulls out a sweater. “I can start a fitting room for you.”