He turned to me, and this was it.Coop hadn’t gotten on my case about punching Alek yet, but there’d been a lot going on, including my grandmother’s death.
“I understand why you’d be pissed that Alek was dating your sister behind your back.”
I rubbed my left hand through my hair.It was probably standing on end, since I was overdue for a cut.Coop’s hand twitched, as if he barely stopped himself from straightening it.“It wasn’t just that.”I paused, choosing my words.“It’s not his fault what his parents did, but the name brings it all back, you know?And it wasn’t just that we lost money.”
He nodded slowly.“I thought there must be more.”
I gave him the short version of what happened: losing all our money, skipping university, breaking up with my girlfriend.
Cooper’s brow furrowed.“That’s a lot.”
“The Sharleen debacle had its roots in that too.”My New York marriage and scandal page divorce was no secret.
Cooper shifted in his seat to look at me straight on.“But you’re okay with Jess and Alek together now?”
I dropped my head back, staring upward.“I’m working on it.Jess is happy, so I have to stop being an ass.”
“Yeah, you do.We need you next season.But not the guy who clocked his teammate in practice.”
My fists tried to clench and the right one twinged.“I’ve buried a lot of shit for years and thought I was good.Apparently that’s not healthy, and neither Jess nor the team are going to let me avoid dealing with it.”
“That’s what I need to hear.I’m making plans, and you’re part of them.”
Cooper was the best friend I had, outside of my twin.But I needed to hear what he had in mind before I committed myself.He was a natural leader and charmer.I was quiet, happy to be out of the spotlight.We complemented each other, but we were very different.
Coop steepled his hands together.“I’ve talked to management.This team has a solid core.Last season, making the finals proved that.This year, we kept that core together and it was bad luck that ended our playoff run tonight.Ducky’s injury, my leg, the fucking flu wiping everyone out.I want another season with this group to go all the way.”
Management were running a business.They couldn’t afford sentimentality, and the fans would want to see something in the fall to make them believe next season would be different.
Cooper looked over his shoulder at the suits in the back.“I’m setting up a two-week retreat for the team.”
I blinked.“What?”
“I’m pulling in all the favors I can, from the team, friends, sponsors, all the people I know who work with athletes.We’re going to get the best in training, nutrition, and mental health.Plus, the retreat will give us a chance to bond.We’re going to make next season the one we get the Cup.”
“When?”Right now guys would want to head home, wherever around the globe that might be, and lick their wounds before considering next year.
“July.It’s not going to be easy getting everyone together, but I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Are they keeping the team together?”After this embarrassing sweep I’d been expecting changes.
“They’re considering it.They’ve got till the draft at the end of June and free agency July first to decide.But I have to make sure I’ve got the best case to support my pitch.And part of that is making sure the team’s workhorse isn’t going to flip out again.”
I let out a long breath.I’d promised Jess, and Cooper wanted a similar guarantee.The team was watching me closely.I would do whatever they asked to make up for my mistakes.
“According to this guy I’m talking to, I need to face the things I’ve been avoiding.Jess and I need to go through what my grandmother left in the house.That’s going to bring up some of my past.I’ll talk to my parents, and maybe my ex.”
“Sharleen?”
Not my ex-wife.“Mia.”
“Mia?”
I nodded.“The one I broke up with before going to New York.”
With the time I’d had to fill since I broke my hand, I’d focused on what had gone wrong in my life.Ugly feelings I thought were long buried had surged out and propelled my fist into Alek’s face—or helmet.
There wasn’t a lot I counted on in my life, but in hockey I’d found a place I belonged.Where I was valued by my teammates and they’d put up with me even when I was a moody fucker.I wanted to win the Cup.I wanted to be a part of hockey even after I was done playing.I needed to do well enough next year that I wouldn’t be forever known as the guy who punched a teammate at practice.