Page 249
The game starts out well enough. It’s obvious that the teams are pretty well matched, but at some point in the second period, things begin to shift in the visitors’ favor. And when Ryker loses the puck, allowing the visiting team a breakaway that results in a goal that puts them in the lead, things go from bad to worse.
67
GARRETT
Huxley and Ryker’s team lose five to one.
With every goal they concede, the atmosphere gets tenser.
Cooper is like a coiled spring beside me, and it’s got nothing to do with the score. He’d be proud of his brothers no matter what. But he’s all too aware of what this kind of loss will mean for Huxley and Ryker. Especially when Huxley spent a little more time than necessary in the penalty box, and Ryker ended up being benched after colliding with a player from the other team and needing to be checked over for a possible concussion.
Cooper doesn’t say a word as he pushes to his feet after spending a few minutes watching his brothers’ team huddle around their coach for a post-game chat.
He seems like a decent guy. Despite their loss, he’s calm and talks to them with respect. Exactly what you’d expect of a youth coach. But it’s not his opinion that Cooper is worried about.
I trail behind Cooper as he makes his way down the steps toward where his father is still sitting. His shoulders are tense, and when he turns to look up at his eldest son, I’m not surprised to see that his expression is tight.
He’s not impressed.
“Cooper,” Wayne states before pushing himself to his feet. “Good to see you.”
I fight to keep my expression neutral. I’m not sure what I was expecting. For Wayne to put on an act and try and prove to everyone that he’s the most perfect, caring father, maybe. What I wasn’t expecting was the coldness between father and son.
“Dad,” Cooper grunts.
“I messaged you last night.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You played a shit game, son.”
My breath catches as Cooper’s jaw begins to twitch with irritation.
“I’ve had better days. Huxley’s slap shot has really come on,” he says, trying to praise his brothers. “And Ryker’s edge work is incredible.”
Wayne scoffs. “For what good it did. That was embarrassing.”
Cooper’s mouth opens, but he closes it again just as quickly.
“This is Garrett Wentworth,” he says, turning to me. “He’s an analyst.”
“Ah, so someone who will agree with me about the quality of that game,” Wayne mutters.
“Actually, for their age, I was really impressed. I’ve been working with a girls’ team and—”
“Are you still taking them for lunch?” Wayne asks, as if I’m not even here.
I slam my lips together and glance at Cooper.
He looks just about ready to lay into his father with all these kids as witnesses.
I shake my head as subtly as I can. Some fights just aren’t worth it. I couldn’t give a fuck if Wayne Nash notices my existence or not.
“Yes.”
“Well, Ryker forgot his bag with a change of clothes in it, so you’ll have to get them from the house.”
“It’s okay, I can just take him as—”
