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Luca
I drank too much the night before a game day. Alcohol is still swirling around in my stomach while we have a short early morning practice.
“Pick up the pace!” Coach yells out, and he’s looking right at me.
Somehow, I got through it without puking my brains out.
Coach has us gather around after our showers. We all know what’s coming. In the past few years, they announced captains before the first game, but Coach Renan said he had to do more thinking.
“Alright men, that was a sloppy practice and I expect more. We lost the championship last year, but this year we’re going to come back better than ever.” He pauses and looks over all of us as we nod in agreement. “That being said, I'm naming some captains that will help get our team in shape. This year is going to be a little different. First up, our captain and leader, number twenty-two, Alex Briggs.” Everyone cheers. We all knew that was coming. The obvious choices would be him and Finn. They give their heart every time and get us all pumped for training and games. “First alternate captain, number nine, Finnegan MacLan.”
Some jokes were made, but we all clapped and cheered for Finn.
“Finally, your second alternate captain,” he yells out, keeping our attention on him. We’ve never had a second alternate. At least not in the two years I’ve been here. “Number thirteen, Luca Kingivson.”Fuck.
I’m in shock. The team rallies around me with shoulder pats and cheers, and I can’t fucking move.
“Alright men, get lunch and some rest before we meet back here for warm-ups.”
Everyone mills around talking about a team celebratory lunch, but I head straight to the bathroom and vomit up all the contents in my stomach.
Fuck.
I never thought this was possible. I stopped believing it could happen, but it’s something I’ve dreamed of the moment I stepped my skate out on that ice.
I’m on cloud nine after the initial shock of learning I got an A on my Jersey.
It was stitched on and waiting for me at my locker before warmups. I sat there stroking it for ten minutes before throwing it on. Tracing the smooth lines and tapping each bump of a stitch that holds it on.
Fuck, I’m in love.
This is the start of a new me. No more binge drinking like I did last night, regardless if we have a game the next day. I’m going to be there for my team. I’m going to make things right with Kandace. All is looking up.
This semester is my chance to get my shit together before it’s too late.
We even won our game after I made some amazing blocks, feeling more and more like my old self.
“How about I go to her with flowers and say let’s cut the bullshit? Only nicer than that.”
“No.” Alex turns my idea down immediately.
“C’mon Cap, I need your love expert guidance.”
Alex is already in bed. It’s a weeknight, and we have practice early in the morning. I’m too wired after the game we just had. Another win against the Hawks.
I hop into bed with him to give him a good spooning. He’s much too ripped, no love handles for me to grab. Not as much fun to spoon as Finn is. I should’ve asked him to be my roomie.
“Luca,” Alex says quietly, gritting my name out. “If I feel anything poking my back, I swear you’re finding a new roommate. Get the fuck off of me.”
I laugh with a roll off the bed and start jumping up and down. Anything to get my energy out.
“I’m too pumped to sleep.”
“Go for a run. It’s what Nick used to do.” He’s right, and I quickly get my shoes on to go for a run around the block. “Stay off of sorority row!” He calls out to me, but I’m already down the third-floor steps. I pass a few guys that look at me like I’m nuts, but I don’t stop.
I think Finn calls out to me, but I have my earbuds in, and I’m on a mission. A mission to run and sweat out my adrenaline. There were times I’d drink to bring myself down and be able to fall asleep, but that was the old me. The new me runs and sweats it out.
I’m already at sorority row when I feel the wind in my shorts. Yup, I ran out in my boxers. No pants. Just a pair of thin boxers with an open flap in the front. They’re light blue with bright yellow bananas wearing sunglasses all over them. Very comfortable to sleep in, and surprisingly, not bad to go for a run in.
