The next morning, Stacey slipped on her sweatpants and Rangers sweatshirt. They had an early practice that morning due to the season starting in three days. Coach Boedka was putting the finishing touches on the roster and making cuts so every practice was crucial. Of course, Stacey would be making the team. She was captain and she usually lead the team in scoring. Coach would also be designating a second Alternate Captain on account of A.J. Montego, the team’s former second-line centre, had transferred to another school. In fact, she had transferred to Notre Dame, the team Boston U was set to play in the season opener. Stacey slid on her shoes and peered into Sammie’s room. Sammie had apparently already left, since her bed was made and she was nowhere to be seen. Stacey grabbed her keys and drove to the practice rink.
“Good morning.” Kassidy called, hopping out of her Jetta. “Nice day for a skate.” she smirked
Stacey smiled “It’s always a nice day for a skate.”
“Uh huh. So you and Seguin?” Kassidy asked, not wasting anytime.
“What about me and Tyler…” Stacey stammered, confused on how Kassidy even knew.
“Jade says you ran into him at the arena and Sammie said he messaged you last night. What’s the deal?” Kassidy pushed the door to the gym open and headed towards the locker rooms.
Stacey caught up with her and nodded “Yeah that’s all. He just messaged me to say ‘hi’ nothing more.” she had never lied to a teammate before, but she didn’t want rumors going on about her and Tyler Seguin, when nothing had even really happened. They didn’t even really ‘talk’ it was more of a ‘small chat’ than anything else and she hated it when people made a big deal about her and her personal life. To her, ‘personal life’ meant just that. Personal.
Kassidy looked at her skeptically “Alright. If you say.” The girls got into the locker room, where the Coaches and the other girls were waiting.
“Thank-you for joining us girls.” Coach Boedka started, “As most of you may know, we lost A.J. this past weekend to Notre Dame and as a result, we will be naming a new Alternate based on the performances of today’s and Thursday’s practices.”
Coach Lynne smiled as she added, “We will not only be looking at on ice performance, but also off-ice. We will be checking grades and keeping small tabs on you. We want our team to have a good reputation, not a negative one. On-ice conduct will also be crucial. Our goals for the season will be to keep penalties at a minimum and scoring at a high.” she said marking something off on her clip-board.
“Exactly. Another goal we have is of course, winning the championship and you can only do that by scoring. Today we will be focusing on scoring drills, faceoffs and power plays.” Coach Boedka explained before pulling off his glasses and wiping them clean. “Sammie, you and Kassidy’s goals will be to stop them.” he said with a laugh
“We want to keep goals allowed at a low number.” Coach Lynne added. “Alright, ladies, let’s head out there and remember this is practice, have fun, but play hard.” The coaches headed to the ice and the girls followed.
“I can’t believe A.J. actually went to Notre Dame.” Sammie mumbled in disgust.
“I heard she was forced to by her dad. He made her leave Boston U because she was sleeping with one of the teachers.” Randi Gregory, a winger, said as she skated by.
“Bull-shit rumors.” Jade snapped back. Jade and A.J. were close friends and Jade took it the hardest when A.J. announced her departure. “The reason she left was because Notre Dame was her first choice and when she started, they had no room for her on the team, but they recently got an opening and she took it. So you can take those rumors and shove them up your ass.”
Randi blinked at her “Well sorry.” she replied sarcastically.
Sammie shook her head and took her place between the posts. Stacey skated to center ice, taking her spot at the face off dot against Madison Frederique, the third-line centre. She took a deep breathe and expertly won the faceoff, sending the puck to her winger, who took it down the ice, passing it to Trischa, who sent it flying towards the net. Clink. The puck nailed the post and Stacey quickly retrieved it from the rebound, firing back towards Kassidy’s net and the puck went sailing in. Trischa skated to Stacey and wrapped her in bear-hug, along with Jade and the rest of the line.
“Excellent play, ladies!” Coach Boedka called from the bench. “Bring it here.” The girls skated to the bench “Alright, I want 3rd and 4th lines on the ice. 2nd and 3rd pairings for defenseman. After this play, shootout.” Coach called out. The lines headed to the ice, while the other sat on the bench.
Stacey squirted some water in her mouth, slouching it around before spitting it out and wiping off her mouth. She loved watching her teammates play just as much as she loved playing. Hockey had been the one thing in her life that remained constant for her. Her dad always had a new job or a new girlfriend, but her love for the game never changed. She and her brothers watched every Rangers game they could and when they worked, they’d DVR them.
Her brothers, Jacub, Kevin, Henry, Ryan, Benton, and Colton, had all played hockey at one point, but had each moved on to different careers and hockey was more of a pleasure than a life for them. Her oldest brother, Jacub was in Veterinary school. Kevin was a travel agent. Henry had moved to Africa, where he helped build homes, schools and hospitals. Ryan had played minor league baseball, but after tearing his left shoulder, he could no longer play and he opened up a restaurant with his fiancé. Benton and Colton were younger than Stacey and both were still in high school. Benton was a Senior and Colton a Freshman. They both had minimum wage jobs and had never expressed playing hockey outside of fun and high school.
To Stacey, hockey was everything. Practice continued on for an hour or so. Jade won the shootout. The girls headed back to the locker rooms and started getting undressed. “Who do you think they’ll name Alternate, Sam?” Stacey asked pulling her gear off.
“I don’t know. I don’t think we even need a second one. Trisch does a good job with you and her alone.” Sammie remarked, laying her stick against her bench.
Stacey shrugged “It’d be nice to have back-up help.”
“Yeah I guess. I just don’t like change. I mean I know A.J. was given better opportunity at ND…but I feel like she fucked us. We have to get everyone used to new lines and just new everything. Change is never good…” Sammie sighed. Sammie was rather superstitious. She was the kind of player that did the same things every game day and ate the same things every game day. Change was something that set her off.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure Coach will figure it all out and it will be like she had never even left.” Trischa joined in with a smile.
“But she has left. She left us alone and we have to go up against her. It’s fucking bull shit.” Sammie exclaimed punching her bench, grabbing her bag and leaving.
“She needs to calm the fuck down.” Jade said folding her arms “I for one am not going to take people talking shit about A.J.”
“Give Sam a break.” Stacey pleaded “You know how she is. I’ll talk to her. She’s just really hurt and needs some space and time to heal.” Stacey grabbed her bag and headed to her car, she grabbed her phone and saw she had a new text.
Unknown number-Hey, this is Tyler.
Stacey-Hey. Sorry it took so long to reply…practice.
Tyler-It’s ok:) Good practice?
Stacey-Yeah, I guess. My team is arguing, though…lots of things going on…Coach watching our every moves.
Tyler-Wow…that’s bullshit. I’d hate it if my coach watched me like a hawk…I think I’d be suspended…lol;)
Stacey-Oh yea? Why’s that?
Tyler-Parties and stuff. So r u busy tmro?
Stacey-Idk…I’d have to check my planner.
Tyler-Okay cool. Because I’d like to take you out for Chinese. Do you like Chinese?
Stacey-Yeah, I love it!:)
Tyler-Sweet. I’ll let you go for now. Have a good day:)
Stacey-You too…ttyl.
Stacey smiled and sat her phone down before buckling her seatbelt and driving home. When she got inside, she could hear Sammie yelling on the phone in French, “C'est conneries et tu le sais. Je ne vais pas mentir pour Jade et A.J. plus. Je ne suis pas ... Non, je suis foutu ... Eh bien va te faire foutre aussi.” Sammie slammed her phone down on the table and screamed. “Oh shit. Sorry, Stace…I didn't notice you there…”
Stacey had taken French in high school and could understand a portion of what Sammie was saying. She looked at Sammie and cleared her throat. “What do you mean you won’t lie for A.J. and Jade? What lie? What’s going on?”
Sammie’s eyes widened “Nothing…it’s nothing.” she stammered nervously, heading towards her room.
Stacey grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Tell me, Sammie! What lie? What the fuck is going on? Who was that on the phone?” Stacey demanded.
Sammie sighed “I cannot tell you, Stacey. I would if I could, but I cannot.”
“Why not?! They’re my friends too! I think I deserve to know, Sam, and you even said that you don’t want to lie, so why are you lying to me? Don’t even give me that bullshit that you are not lying, because keeping something from me is lying!” Stacey could feel her cheeks getting hot.
Sammie’s face filled with hurt. She hated keeping things from her friends, but she was sworn to secrecy. “Stacey…I just can’t, OK? I can’t. I fucking want to, but I can’t! I made a promise and no matter how pissed I am, I can’t…no I won’t break it. Sorry.” she pulled her arm away, retreating to her room and closing the door.
Stacey felt the first few tears fall and she ran into her own room, slamming the door and locking it. She flopped down onto her bed, pressing her face into her pillow and sobbing. Her and Sammie had always told each other everything and Stacey knew she was being ridiculous, but she wanted to know. She wanted to help her friends. Stacey wiped her eyes and her phone rang. Without even looking at it she picked it up.
“Hello?” she sniffed.
“Is this Stacey Summers?” and unfamiliar voice asked
“Yes…may I ask who is calling?” Stacey sat up, confused.
“Miss Summers, I am sorry to be the one to inform you, but you were listed as an emergency contact for Mr. Kevin Summers…” the voice trailed.
Stacey felt her heart drop “And…”
“Miss Summers, there has been an...accident.” the voice told her.