Page 12 of Dark Tangled Truths
I turn off all the extra shit going on and concentrate on the ice, my stick, the skates, and the puck. This is my future and I’m going to play like it’s for keeps.
My hair is stillwet from my shower when I pull out my phone again and check on Evan. The ring and phone are still together in the black box theater room. Good.
“Don’t worry. I’m heading there now.” Cam grabs his backpack from his locker and claps me on the shoulder. “Let me know how it goes.”
I nod and drop my phone into my pocket before grabbing my bags and heading to Coach’s office. Laughter carries into the hallway from the office as I approach the open door.
Coach grins when he sees me and gestures me in. “There he is.”
I walk in and drop my stuff beside the door before turning to greet the man sitting in what’s affectionately known as Coach’s hot seat. If you’re sitting in it, you’re usually in trouble. When he stands and meets my eyes, this man needs no introductions. Hewas a legend in the NHL before he retired. He’s also the current coach at Crowne Mawr.
Andrew Mitchell offers me his hand. “Damon Storm.”
“Coach Mitchell.” I try not to go all fanboy on him, but it just slips out. “That goal in 2015 for the Cup runs on repeat in my brain when I’m trying to bring in the puck. Your career is what I aspire to.”
He grins and releases my hand. “Good, because I know you’ve probably got recruiters coming out of your ass trying to get you to come play for them. I’ll use whatever leverage I can get.”
Before the accident and injury, I had plenty of interest in my career. I had a plan for my future. When I glance at Coach, he leans back in his chair and puts his hands over his stomach with a satisfied smile. Apparently, he’s taking a backseat on this one.
If Andrew knows I don’t have a lot of options, it wouldn’t put me in a great negotiating position.
“Maybe.” Part of me doesn’t want to admit it will be a struggle now. I would have had more options if I’d attended the USHL like I was supposed to. Options that might have included a contract for an NHL team. Last year, Crowne Mawr never would have been a contender. We were talking with quite a few recruiters unofficially, but knowing I was in an accident and had injured my leg made them leery. If I’d still attended the USHL, I could have shown them I healed, but Dad didn’t want me to go. Which made it seem like the leg was going to be more of an issue than it is.
“Let’s talk.” Andrew smiles and offers me the seat next to him.
I perch on its edge, too anxious to relax. My knee bounces a couple times before I force it to settle. Crowne Mawr is Cam’s school.
Last year this wouldn’t have been an option, but I also didn’t have Evan, Cam, and Hawk to think about. If this is a real opportunity, it could work for all of us. It wasn’t on Evan’s list of places she’d already applied to, but she mentioned it to my dad as a potential. And it’s not a party school, even though Cam claims it is. It’s a well-known school with a rigorous curriculum for Hawk.
“I recently took over coaching the hockey team at Crowne Mawr.” Andrew gives me a cocky grin. “I know we’re fresh on the D1 scene, but we’re doing our best to compete with the big dogs. We’re building a team to get us trophies and impress the NHL with our talent.”
I straighten and keep my expression pleasant. “My coach thought your scouts might come to some games this season.”
But that he came to practice to see me, that’s a fucking honor.
“And we will, but there are some players we want to look at first, before they make their commitments.” Andrew gives me a look like I’m going to have multiple offers coming in.
Last year I would have. Now, I’m not so sure. Deimos isn’t a boarding school that usually gets hockey recruiters to come to it. Other sports, yes. And while our team is good, I’m definitely an outlier when it comes to the sport. We get a lot of recruiters from D2 schools though.
But that’s not what I want.
“We’ve set up an invitation week for a few players to come and try out for the team before the season begins. See how you interact with our current players and each other.” Andrew leans forward. “I know this is last minute for you, but when I found out you hadn’t committed anywhere, I came to invite you personally. I want to start next year right. I’ve got players who will help us make waves this year, but I need to continue to develop fresh talent if I want to stay at the top.”
Before this year, I could have gone to any number of colleges to sit on their bench for a year before having an opportunity to really play. I would have gotten ice time, but during games, it would have been short and far between. I don’t know if Crowne Mawr will be settling, but if it is, I want something from it.
“What kind of playing time do you offer your freshmen?” I have nothing to lose by asking.
He smirks. “Honestly, I don’t play by the old rules. If you want to fight to start as a freshman, I’m all for it. I want to build a team that can crush the competition. I don’t want seniors pulling rank on my new players. I want everyone to try their hardest to be the best.”
Satisfied with the answer, I say, “What are we looking at?”
CHAPTER 5
Damon
I’m waitingat the dinner table when Dad and Heather walk in. Dad’s eyes widen in surprise to see me, but he doesn’t say anything as he takes his seat. Heather sits on his other side. Monday night isn’t our typical night for family dinner.
Evan walks in next. She freezes for a moment. After Sunday, she was supposed to take it easy, but I know she still pushed through rehearsal today. They cut it an hour short though, so I figured she’d be here too.
