Page 7

Max

I stumbled around on the crutches Doc had insisted I needed as I made my way out of the locker room when he walked up behind me. “Can I help?” he asked.

“Nah, I’m just going to call for a ride,” I said after remembering I didn’t have a car here.

“Don’t bother, I can drive you,” he said and took my equipment bag from me that I was attempting to carry.

“I can’t ask you to do that,” I said and wondered if it was okay or if there was some rule about not taking a ride from someone on the staff, before I gave up and shuffled along beside him. “Thanks.”

He glanced at me with a grin. “As long as you don’t call me Doc.”

I thought for a moment before remembering his name. “Ruben, right?”

“The one and only. You wait here and I’ll pull my car around.” I stood out front and watched him jog off to the parking lot.

“Good game, rookie,” a player whose name I didn’t remember said as he walked past me with a few other players. So far everyone on the team seemed nice enough and I hoped it stayed that way. The less drama the better.

Ruben pulled up in a small SUV and got out of the car to take care of my crutches. “Thank you. Are you sure those are necessary?” I asked as I struggled to get my leg in since I couldn’t bend it. He reached across me and slid the seat back making it easier and I forced myself to ignore how good he smelled.

“Only if you want to play tomorrow night.”

“I knew that’s what you were going to say. How long have you been a team doctor?”

“This is the first time I’m actually the doctor. I was still an intern with my last team, so even though I did treat players, I was more an assistant.”

“So, we’re both rookies.”

“Yeah, I guess we are. You played great tonight. That team was very good.”

“They have a few players that are close to going pro. I think they wanted to make sure we knew that,” I said. We talked more about the team and tonight’s game. He slowed down in front of the restaurant we were meeting at and helped me out of the car.

“Wait right here, I’ll go park,” he said before rushing off again.

“Hey, Max, ready to go in?” Griffin asked when he came walking up with two other players.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right in,” I said and waited for Ruben who appeared not long after.

“Shall we?” he said and held the door as I struggled inside. “I haven’t eaten here before, have you?” he asked, and I could tell he was nervous, but then I remembered we were both new to this and I understood why.

“No, I haven’t but I overheard some of the guys saying one of the team owners had something to do with this place, so I guess maybe that’s why they chose it.” The restaurant was located on one of the streets in downtown Sacramento and was a higher-end steak house. The hostess was ready for us and seated us all in a banquet room complete with its own bar.

As soon as Ruben and I were seated a pint of beer appeared in front of us both. “I don’t usually drink,” I said.

“A drink or two won’t hurt. It might actually help you sleep,” one of the other players said.

“It’s okay, you’re not on pain meds so it should be fine,” Ruben said before chatting with one of the trainers.

The night wore on as everyone talked about the game and how well we did, and how the Blades were going to be even tougher to beat the next night. “How’s your knee?” Ruben asked as he leaned in closer to me to be heard over the raucous conversation.

“It’s okay. I guess I’ll know more when I try to move it,” I said, and once more, our eyes met. I couldn’t look away and I would have sworn he couldn’t either. “How old are you?” I asked as all the chatter in the room faded into the background.

“Thirty, I’m an old man,” he said through a smile. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

“No wonder you were able to take all those hits and still keep going.”

“He’s always been able to take a hit, right, Max?” Griffin said, breaking us out of the bubble I imagined us in for a moment.

“Well, if it’s you doing the hitting, then no problem,” I said back to him. He shoved me before pulling me in for a side hug.

“Do you think he’ll be able to play, Doc?” Griffin asked and looked at Ruben and me.

“I’ll know more tomorrow. If he keeps it iced tonight it should be okay, but he’ll be stiff,” Ruben said.

“I’ll try to keep it iced all night,” I said, but I knew as soon as I was in bed I’d be passed the fuck out.

“Make sure you do, or you’ll feel it tomorrow.” Dinner arrived and everyone settled into more quiet conversation, although not much quieter. I drank the last of my beer and was offered another and since the first one had helped me forget about the constant ache, I didn’t argue.

The sound of a knife clanking against a glass got everyone’s attention as Coach stood at the end of the table. “Everyone, listen up. Great game tonight, guys. There could have been a few less fights, but overall great job. I want you all to hear it from me that Dexter has decided not to return to play.”

Everyone started talking at once and Griffin leaned over to me. “Did you know this?” he asked, and even though he was my friend I knew it wasn’t my place.

“And Hofstedder will be moving up to second-string. Congratulations, Max.” Everyone either clapped or cheered while some slapped me on the back.

“Where’s Dexter going?” someone at the other end of the table asked.

“He’ll be helping me on the coaching staff,” Coach said with a big grin. All eyes were then on Dexter and the whole team congratulated him.

“This has been an eventful night,” Ruben said.

I thought of how bad my knee hurt and all the other aches and pains I was trying to ignore and took another sip of my beer. “I would have been happy with a few less hits.”

“I bet you would.”

“Dexter, I was hoping you’d be back in tomorrow so Leon could use you as a target and give the rookie a break,” Randall said thankfully taking the attention away from me.