Last Shot Page 7
“I thought the line changes were garbage,” Chris said, his chin jutting out. He and Dawn left to speak to Gold.
Strohler beckoned Rocket and Devin over.
“Did you buddy up with Cash?” Strohler demanded.
Devin looked at Rocket.
“For sure. Yeah.” Rocket paused. “He’s a nice guy.”
“Let’s hurry,” Strohler said. “I got a call in ten minutes. You can fill me in while we drive home. Devin, can you hustle for once in your life?”
Devin tapped his right hand on his thigh and jabbed the other in the air, head bobbing. Rocket was standing next to him. He didn’t hear any music from the headphones. Strohler was already out the door.
“We should maybe hurry,” Rocket said. “’Cause your dad …”
Devin tapped away to the music.
The trunk was open when Rocket got to the SUV. He tossed his bag and sticks in and sat in the back row.
“Could you be slower?” Strohler said to Devin as he got in.
“Bryan, what did you and Cash talk about?” Strohler asked, reversing out of the parking spot.
“Not much … Hockey stuff.”
“Like?”
“I wasn’t on his line, so I didn’t really have—”
“You were on Red together,” Strohler cut in. “Did he mention anything about an agent?”
“He said he didn’t have one yet, but lots of them tried to get him to sign during the summer,” Rocket offered. That much was true.
“Interesting. Did he give names?”
Devin was right. He wanted real information. Problem was, Rocket didn’t have much.
“I said, did he give names?”
“He didn’t mention anyone specifically, more like agents in general,” Rocket said.
“Job one is to get me the names of any agents he’s speaking to. That’s critical. Can you do that?”
“I can try.”
“Make it happen. I need to know the competition. What else?”
“He worked out a lot in the summer.”
Strohler grimaced. “No kidding. I mean, what else about who he might sign with?”
“He has a stick deal with Reebok.”
Strohler slapped the steering wheel. “I knew Chris was a liar. He’s a skinny little weasel. Total snakes, the lot of them. ‘Oh, we haven’t signed any deals yet. We want to keep our options open,’” he mimicked in a high-pitched voice. “They’re playing me.”
The SUV burned through a stop sign.
“You got to try and hang with him more, buddy up to him, invite him over to our house. You can play video games. Find out his favourite game.” Strohler was getting more and more excited as he spoke. “That’s perfect. All boys love gaming. Tell him we’ve got a huge TV and a sweet game console and he can play whatever he wants. Invite the other guys on his line, too, Hoffer and Gruny. Get them all over. Then I’ll come in, do my thing, get the connections, and I’m off to the races.” He gave the steering wheel another whack and laughed.
The SUV raced around a corner. They went right, left and then whipped into the driveway. Rocket felt relieved they’d made it in one piece. The guy drove like maniac.
“Okay, my call’s here. Get your stuff out of the back and toss it in the garage,” Strohler said.
The garage door began to open.
Strohler touched his earpiece. “Gentlemen,” he said. “How are we today?”
Rocket pulled his bag and sticks out as quietly as he could and put them in the garage.
“Didn’t Carl pick you up?” Kimberly said as he walked into the house.
“He’s in the car,” Rocket said. “On a call.”
Kimberly’s eyes narrowed, but then she smiled at him. “How was your practice?”
“Good. Intense. Tomorrow will be tough. We have dry-land training and then a scrimmage.”
“I imagine you’re hungry. Dinner will be in an hour. Is that okay or would you like a snack?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Rocket said.
“Feel free to go for a swim. I turned the heat up a bit. I figured after such a hard day, you’d enjoy a little dip.”
“That’s really nice. Thanks. Maybe I will.”
“Ask Devin if he wants to join you. He’s been in the arena all day. He should get some fresh air.”
Rocket headed down to his room. Kimberly seemed really nice. How’d she end up with someone like Strohler?
Passing the movie room, Rocket heard gunshots, so he opened the door. Devin was already playing World of Warcraft.
“Yo, Devin. I’m probably going to hit the pool. You want to come?”
It felt weird asking Devin to come for a swim. It was his pool.
Devin put the game on pause. “What really went on with Cashman?”
Rocket stepped into the room and closed the door. Something told him Devin could be trusted. He didn’t seem very close to his dad. “I’m not sure I can actually do what your dad wants.”
“You mean Cashman’s not coming over to hang with me?” Devin said. The corners of his mouth moved up slightly. Rocket knew he’d been right. Devin got it.
“He’s a huge jerk,” Rocket said. “Acts like he’s in the NHL already. He spent the day chirping at everyone. Especially me.”
“Why you?”
Rocket leaned his arms on the top of a couch. “No idea. Maybe because I don’t have a stick deal with Reebok.”
“Really?”
“Well, maybe it’s more that I’m five foot six, weigh a hundred forty-eight pounds and got drafted in the last round. I’m a good target or, more like, a good joke — a good, little joke.”
Devin turned around in the chair to face him directly. “You got a goal and three assists in the scrimmage, and you had a seventy-four percent success rate at getting a shot on the two-on-ones.” He shrugged. “I figured I may as well keep the stats on you since I was there. You’re a good player — always around the puck and a good passer. Maybe you could shoot more. Your line had good puck possession — way higher percentage than Cashman’s line. You have a good chance of getting on as the third centre, behind Cashman and Bourque, although it’s still early.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.”
“My dad taught me. I do the stats at games, so he can watch the play.”
“You go to many games?”
Devin lowered his brow and looked up at Rocket.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Rocket said.
“I’ll be honest with you. Your size is an issue. Gold likes his players big. My dad, too.”
“Guess what my nickname is on the team?”
“What?”
“Little Guy — not exactly a hockey classic.”
“I looked you up. Aren’t you called the Rocket? That’s kind of a hockey classic, isn’t it?”
“Not sure Rocket is going to catch on. Little Guy seems to be driving ahead at the moment. Anyway, let’s forget about hockey and hit the pool. Your mom said you could show me how the hot tub works.”
Devin put the controller down. “A hot tub would be good for your muscles. They worked you hard today.”
Rocket was beginning to like this guy. He was kind of a geek, but he was honest and had a sense of humour. And he knew his hockey — Rocket always liked that.
“Give me a sec and I’ll throw on my suit,” Rocket said. “And is there any chance you could find an icepack?”
“Are you hurt?”
Again, Rocket decided to trust him. “I banged my hand up a few days ago. It’s bugging me.”
“I assume that explains the lack of shots,” Devin said.
“You got it. I’m going to have to fight through it. If guys figure out I can’t shoot, then they’ll play off me,” Rocket said.
“The latest research suggests that after the first twenty-four hours, you are better off applying direct heat to the injured area,” Devin said. “It’s been found to be very beneficial. We have these beanbag heating bags. I could warm one up.”
“I’ll try it. But Devin, can we keep this between us?”
“Sure.”
Devin went off to get changed and get the heating bag. Rocket went to his bedroom and closed the door.
For a moment he felt exhausted. That was a lot of hockey today. But it wasn’t his body that was tired. The mental stress was way harder than the physical stuff. He felt like a bug under a microscope: every move noticed, written down and analyzed. Even Devin had stats on him.
His laptop beeped. Maddy was Skyping. He looked at the time.
“Whoops,” he said as he answered.
“Thanks for only being twenty minutes late. I’ve got to get going soon,” she said.
“Sorry, practice went later than I thought.”
“Whatever. I didn’t want to talk to you anyway.”
“Actually, I don’t have a lot of time either. I have to take a hot tub — after I swim in the Strohlers’ heated pool.”
Maddy’s head drooped. “You’re joking, right?”
“I am a little. First I’m going to hit the sauna, or maybe the steam room, then go for the hot tub.”
“Are you staying at a five-star hotel?”
“Almost. This place is insane. Nicest house I’ve ever seen. These guys are so loaded, it’s crazy.”
“Well, we have a new air-conditioning system here — someone smashed the window in the lobby door.” She laughed.
Rocket slumped forward. “Are you serious? Who did it?” He didn’t find it funny.
“Who knows? But anyone can walk in and the superintendent doesn’t care. Your mom is freaked out, though. Maybe I am, too. Anyway, I’m not sure it beats a pool.”
“Sorry, Maddy.”
“It’s nothing. Not like this is the first time someone broke a window here.”
“I know, but I feel bad for you.” He paused. “I’m still taking the hot tub, though.”
“I figured.”
“You got to come up and stay for a night or two. They have tons of extra rooms. I even have my own bathroom, and it’s two times — no, make that three times — bigger than ours. There’s a tub and a shower and two sinks. Not sure why anyone would need two sinks. I use them both, though.”
“Good to hear you’re keeping yourself clean.”
“Ha, ha. Maddy’s being funny. Any trouble with Connor and his crew?”
“Nope. I haven’t even seen them. I’m sure they’re spreading their usual joy. Anyway, I have to go. There’s someone at the door.”
“Who is it?”
“Um, just a friend. We’re going to a movie.”
“Who is it?”
“Rocket!”
“Tell me,” he said.
Maddy had gone red in the face. “Fine. It’s André. He asked me to go to a movie tonight. I figured, why not? No big deal.”
“I didn’t say it was. Say hi for me.” He grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows a few times.
“Goodbye, Rockwood.”
“See ya, sis.”
Her face softened. “See ya, bro.”
The screen went blank.
Maddy and André were going to a movie. That was cool. Why shouldn’t they be friends?
Rocket went out to the pool and put his towel down on a lounge chair. On the other side of the deck there was a gazebo and, next to it, a big barbeque and a fridge. The deep end of the pool had an awesome diving board. It was built into a mountain of rocks and stones. This place really was insane.
He flexed the fingers of his right hand. He hoped Devin was right about the heat.
Devin came out and pressed a button. The hot tub began bubbling away. For the first time since Rocket had met him, Devin was actually smiling.
“You thinking swim or tub?” Devin said.
“No brainer,” Rocket said. “Hot tub all the way.”
CHAPTER 10
Rocket picked himself up from the gym floor. He shouldn’t have done those push-ups. He’d tried not to put any pressure on his hand, but it was impossible not to. The hundred sit-ups had been fine. He was used to doing five hundred a night, so he’d been among the first to finish, along with Kyle and Nathan. He was less thrilled that Cash had finished at the same time.
Chen hopped to her feet. She’d been drilling them with exercises for half an hour, and lots of guys were fading.
“I’m not sure if you noticed the track around the field when you came in,” she said, “but it’s there, and it has your names on it. Head out that side door, please — and move it!”
She took off like a jackrabbit to the door, beating them outside. She’d done all the exercises with the team and was faster than any of them. The boys filed out. Gold and Washington were standing on the track.
“Give me a Go Axmen Go!” Chen yelled.
A few guys offered a weak cheer.
“That just earned you twenty push-ups,” Gold said. “Next time make it count.”
Rocket groaned inside. Not more push-ups. He pounded them out painfully.
“So how about it?” Chen said.
Rocket joined in a loud cheer this time.
“Much better,” she said, clapping a few times. “Welcome to the ten-minute run, better known as the ‘Run With Death.’” The veterans groaned. “Rules are simple. Run around the track as many times as you can in ten minutes — then fall to the ground and catch your breath.”
“We’re looking to see who can fight through the pain,” Gold said. “If you’re looking to impress us, now would be a good time.”
“Hard at it, boys,” Washington said.
Kyle held out his fist to Nathan. “You ready?”
“Let’s go suffer,” Nathan said, punching it.
Rocket really hoped these guys would get a chance to make the team.
“How many laps you figure we can do in ten minutes?” Kyle said to Rocket.
The track looked smaller than an official one.
“Anything over seven would be pretty good,” he guessed.
“Line it up,” Chen called. She formed a circle with her thumb and forefinger, brought it to her lips and, when everyone was at the start line, let out an astoundingly loud whistle.
The guys pressed forward like a wave, chugging up the straightaway in a pack.
“Let’s make a move,” Nathan said, as they entered the first turn.
“Wait,” Kyle said.
The tempo remained high as they continued on to the second straightaway. Rocket settled into an even pace. His legs and shoulders were stiff from the earlier exercises, and he wanted to cruise through the first lap to loosen up. The pack was stretching out as they finished the third corner and headed back to the start line.
“You tired yet?” Kyle asked.
“You kidding?” Nathan said.
The pair shifted to the outside and motored up the straightaway.
“Run hard, boys,” Chen yelled, clapping her hands.
Gold was tapping away furiously on his iPad. Washington looked like he was taking a video with his phone.
A few of the guys gave Kyle and Nathan a hard time as they pulled ahead.
“Check out the dynamic duo.”
“Too bad you guys can’t skate that fast.”
“This is hockey, not cross-country.”
Kyle and Nathan took no notice and soon were ten metres ahead. A small group of guys began to pull away with them, and Rocket kept up. He didn’t want to lose touch with the front runners. Rocket had done his fair share of cross-country, and he ran almost daily to keep in shape. Gold had said this was a chance to impress, and Rocket wasn’t about to miss out.
Over the next five laps, the gap between the leaders and the main pack grew larger and larger until the leaders were almost half a lap ahead. All the guys were hurting, Rocket included. Sweat stung his eyes, and his chest and legs were burning. Rocket forced himself to ignore
the pain, and he pushed himself hard around the second corner. He passed a few more guys as they headed into the back straightaway.
“How much longer?” gasped Rainer, one of the defencemen.
“What lap are we on?” Glassy said.
“Sept,” Bourque said.
“In English?”
“Seven.”
Glassy moaned. “Longest ten minutes of my life.”
“Sixty seconds to go!” Chen yelled, clapping away. “You guys are awesome — amazing!”
Rocket roused himself. He’d lost focus a bit after that last corner. Sixty seconds to impress. Kyle and Nathan were still out in front by three metres. He wondered if he could catch them.
“Good day, gentlemen.”
Rocket heard a pair of shoes running up behind him.
“It’s a great, great day for a run,” Cash said in a Scottish accent.
He cruised past Rocket, Glassy, Bourque and Rainer.
“Forgot to mention I was state cross-country champ — five times,” Cash laughed.
“Fancy-pants forward,” Rainer managed.
Cash didn’t let up until he’d passed Kyle and Nathan. Rocket gritted his teeth. Cash would win, and that’s all the coaches would see — their superstar was also a track athlete.
Rocket urged his aching body onward. Metre by metre he gained ground. Soon he grew level with Kyle and Nathan.
“Let’s do this,” Rocket said.
“Catch him, bro,” Kyle said. “I’m done.”
“Bring him down,” Nathan said.
Rocket was still two metres back. The pain was almost unbearable, but not as painful as the sight of Cash’s long, loping stride eating up the track. As Cash entered the corner, Rocket pulled even.
“Little Guy, I didn’t know you had it in you,” Cash said. “I’m almost impressed. You’re not going to beat the Cash-Man, though.” He ran ahead.
Rocket willed himself to keep up. “Wait for me,” he panted.
Side by side they powered through the corner to the back straightaway. A group of stragglers were about 50 metres ahead. Rocket felt lightheaded, almost sick. These ten minutes felt like three days. The corner loomed.
Tweet!
A shrill whistle announced the end of the race. The runners up ahead staggered to a stop, hands on hips or knees. Cash didn’t slow down.
“You’re not going to beat me, Little Guy,” Cash said.