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Coach glowers at him. Van has been banned from referring to Coach this way while we’re at official team things. Clearly, Van doesn’t value his life.

But I’m still stuck on Coach’s words—no matter what happens next.

What’s happening next? What does he know that no one in this room seems to?

Except maybe Alec. Beside me, he is utterly calm. A knowing kind of calm.

“I’ve loved getting to see some of you grow up. Dominik—you’ve shown an enormous amount of character growth this year. I’m proud of you, kid.”

The guys all clap, and Dominik’s cheeks flush. He mutters something about how he used to act, switching to Russian for what sounds like calling himself a nasty name.

“And the twins—you’ve been a piece we didn’t know was missing from our team. I don’t think it will be long before you get your call-up. I know you’ll be ready for it when you do.”

Theo and Carter, who have been very vocal about their long-term NHL goals, look ecstatic and practically glow under Coach’s praise.

“And the rest of you … you’re pretty okay too,” Coach says with a smile. It fades faster than the guys’ cheering. When he continues, his voice is much more somber. “One big change this year was losing our captain, so let’s get Alec up here one last time.”

Last time?

I mean, yeah—Alec is no longer captain. But he’s been very involved and often shows up to practices, conferring with the assistant coaches and our special teams coach.

Is Alec leaving Harvest Hollow? Is that why this feels like an ending?

With all the nerves I’m already feeling about later, I don’t need an extra dose.

I tune out most of the lineup, which is as expected. My mind is racing through things that could go wrong later and on whether or not I’m reading into everything Coach just said. I can’t stop wondering if all the tense conversations I observed over the past few months and the rumored visits from the AHL have something to do with his mood.

I’m dragged back to the room when Tucker says, “What about our other defenseman? You only called out one. Are we playing short tonight, cap?”

“I’m not your captain anymore, Tuck.” And with that, Alec pulls his jersey over his head.

I’m not sure why it’s so dramatic, but Dumbo gasps.

Alec grins. Then he turns to me.

“Your second D-man tonight is Cole—your new captain.”

Everything goes dark for a moment. Not because I pass out but because Alec has tossed his jersey in my face.

I pull it off, taking in the pandemonium in the room. The guys, most of whom don’t seem to share my shock, are on their feet, smiling and clapping.

This can’t be right.

I turn the jersey over, prepared to throw it back and tell Alec he’s lost it, when I see the name and number on the back. When I saw the C on the front, I assumed Alec was wearing his old jersey.

But it says Cole 11.

My mouth goes dry as I stare down at the letters stitched on the back. The clapping and cheers fade into a dull white noise in my head.

They wantmeto be captain?

A hand touches my back and Coach sits down beside me, leaning close so I can hear him over the noise.

“I can see the doubt written all over your face, son, which only confirms my choice. Some men lead by sucking up all the attention in a room. Some keep people in line by scaring them into action. You have a quiet influence I’m not sure you even notice.”

I’m set to argue, but he continues on.

“I’ve watched this year while you’ve battled whatever demons you’ve had. You fought, and these guys were ready to go into battle with you. I saw the turning point when you realized it was better not to do it alone. You are a strong, quiet leader who inspires men to be better. And the fact that you’re too humble to realize it is another point in your favor.”