Page 4 of The Tryout

And now, that agent is gone altogether.

"I mean, the draft isn't the only way into the League, you know."

I look at Jamie's boyfriend, skepticism written all over my face. What the hell would he know, anyway? His dad was in the League back in New York; I'm pretty sure his ticket's been written since the age of three.

"I mean, even with my dad trying to pull strings, all I got was a sixth round pick and three years in the A."

Okay, maybe he knows something.

"Sure, but you still got drafted."

He nods.

"Not everyone did, though. Played with a goalie my rookie year in Iowa who'd worked his way up from the ECHL. Got traded, and New Jersey ended up pulling him up to the NHL. Played for them for, like, seven years."

Oh. I know that can happen, in theory. But, I mean, it hardly ever does…right?

Ethan must see the skepticism on my face, charging onward.

“And, like, two different d-partners I had there went undrafted and signed straight to Iowa. Pretty sure Sokolov is still in Tampa these days.”

Evgeny Sokolov is, in fact, still in Tampa, a core piece of their defense.

Ethan’s eyes light up, as though a brilliant idea has struck him.

“You should do an ATO! I know the Pack would extend an invite. I played with one of the assistant coaches there, I could give him a call.”

An ATO…an amateur tryout? Is he kidding me?

My face must not convey the disgust I feel at the suggestion; Jamie stands with a smile.

“I’m so glad we mentioned this, E. That’s an awesome idea. Let me go get us another round while you and Avery talk.”

With that, he heads to the bar, leaving me here with this man who thinks I should call in a favor to get a tryout. I get the distinct feeling I’ve been set up.

Ethan’s eyes follow Jamie appreciatively before snapping back to me. What I see there communicates that he, at least, knows I’m not a fan of the idea. I see his eyes flick back to Jamie before he takes a deep breath.

“Look, Avery, can I be straight with you? I mean, I don’t want to get in the way of you and Jamie’s friendship, so if it’s better that we just pretend we had this conversation, that’s fine. But if you’re serious about still playing professionally, I’d really like to help.”

I run a hand through my hair and finally nod at him.

“There are guys like Jamie who just…have it. Everyone looks at them and knows they belong on NHL ice. I told Jamie once that it was the only way we were ever getting an out player drafted – someone like him who is so good that even the most backwards front offices had to wonder if maybe he was the missing piece.”

I know exactly what he means. I was never exactly a slouch at hockey, but I still remember my first time on the ice with Jamie, watching him like a kid at the glass during warmups.

I nod again, finally meeting Ethan’s eyes.

“But for some of us, it isn’t like that. The scouts aren’t sure about what they see, or they think we’re too small or too big or too old.”

“Or too injured?”

He smiles, knowing that I’m following along.

“Exactly. And for guys like that – for guys like you and me – we have to do everything in our power to make it happen. We have to grind, and we have to prove ourselves over and over, and sometimes we have to accept favors from our jackass dads.”

“Or the old man who’s dating our best friend?”

Apparently the joke lands, as Ethan laughs out loud. His eyes crinkle, and again I can see what Jamie sees when he looks at this man, ten times more handsome now that he’s smiling. Before our conversation can resume, Jamie deposits another pitcher on the table, grabbing the seat next to me. His eyes look between Ethan and I, both smiling, and a smile dawns on his own face.