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“That brings me to the decision of who I want to lead this team as captain,” Jakobe announces.
At that declaration Evan and I both straighten as if someone just flipped the on switch in our minds.
“You’re both captain material, but in the end I will only be choosing one of you.” Jakobe looks at each of us in turn. Whatever mask he uses to cloak his thoughts is so effective I can’t tell what he’s thinking when he looks at me.
I don’t know if he’s being the excellent manipulator I believe him to be and everything he’s said so far has been to keep me thinking I still have a shot, or if he’s really telling the truth.
“What sort of criteria will you be using to establish that decision?” Evan asks, crossing one leg over the other.
“Everything will be based on your performance on and off the ice over the rest of the season. I played with some of the best back in my day. The captain position was not one that was just handed out because you were previously captain of another team.”
His comment gives me pause because he could only be referring to Evan.
“Surely, it helps.” Evan grins.
“Not in my books.”
Now I’m really listening.
Evan looks like he’s been trimmed a notch. “I work my ass off on the ice.”
“I saw that, but you didn’t play like you were part of the team.”
That’s exactly what Heath and Jake were saying at the fundraiser.
“This isn’t the draft.” Jakobe gives Evan a hard stare, looking at him the way a teacher would when chastising a know-it-all when they’re wrong and refuse to accept it. “And you’re past the stage where you need to perform to impress potential scouts. When you get on that ice, I need you to play as a unit.”
Jakobe tears his gaze away from Evan and looks at me.
The fucking asshole.He knows I’m perfect for the job and we shouldn’t even be here, yet we are.
“But I also need you to know how to conduct yourself and represent the team.” That was directed at me. “You don’t act like a hooligan just because you have a problem with each other, ormanagement. Neither do we take off to Vegas and piss in the wind so the public can see your dirty laundry.”
I bite back a smile. “I hear you.” I clench my jaw.
“Things need to change around here. I need to be convinced you truly want the role.” Jakobe looks at both of us now. “I need to see you earn it. Earn my trust.”
That’s what I thought. And this is going to be as easy as searching for a toothpick in the bottom of the ocean.
I get why it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Like me, the fucking camel had done everything it needed to do, and that one little thing was too much. This feels like that because I know I shouldn’t have to go through this.
“Is that understood?” he asks, resting his hands on his desk.
“Understood,” I reply.
Jakobe looks at Evan now, who nods his agreement.
“I understand.” Evan glances at me briefly.
“Wonderful. The only thing I want the two of you to worry about is getting to the playoffs, then winning that cup again. Any questions, men?”
“Not from me.” I’ve said all I needed to say, and I have the understanding that I need to earn this bastard’s trust. It’s clear the way to do that is to not piss him off.
“Or me,” Evan says.
“Can I have your word that the two of you will work together, and no more fighting?”
“You have my word,” I assure him, but I’m staring Evan down.
