Chapter 47: Chapter 48

Chapter 48

The realization strikes me like lightning. It all suddenly seems so clear. I turn to Aiden, feeling a need to help mend our misunderstanding.

“I don’t think they’ve been slacking off, Aiden, I say sofily. I gesture toward Aiden’s teammates. “They’re nervous.”

Aiden blinks at me. He follows my gaze. “You think so?”

I nod with certainty. “Think about it-they’ve never had high rankings before you joined the team. The pressure they’re under must be immense.”

Aiden’s eyes light up with realization. “Right,” he murmurs. “And the next game…”

“Is against the Capital, I complete the sentence for him. “Your old team. Sure, they’ve probably seen the Capital in action, but they’ve only experienced you. They might be expecting a team full of Aiden Cruzes.”

Aiden chuckles quietly. “That’s hardly the biggest concern, but I get your point.”

“It’s true. I insist. “The Capital team definitely has intimidation on their side. Their record precedes them, and you’re a part of that. They’ve probably built it up to be this terrifying thing.”

Aiden sighs and nods. “I can see why. They’re intimidating, but they’re not invincible. They have plenty of flaws.” He gets a faraway look in his eyes. I nudge him gently

“Is that why you left?” I ask.

“In part,” he admits, “but it was mostly to get out from under the shadow of my father. Either way, they’re not perfect.”

“They don’t know that,” I point out. “The Capital is like the boogeyman to them.”

He thinks pensively for a moment, a hand running through his tousled hair. Thank you, Carol. Truly. I think I may know what to do now.”

Emboldened by his newfound clarity, Aiden spreads the word that he’d like to gather the team together. He nudges one of his teammates, who looks excited at the prospect. The teanimate makes a lap around the bar in order to gather as much of the team as he can

Aiden’s teammates happily oblige. Within a few minutes, the team is crowded around the largest booth in the bar, shoving together as many tables as they can manage.

A few of the players have clearly been celebrating a bit too hard. Some are having trouble sitting up, while others can’t stop laughing and playfully fighting amongst themselves. A few teammates actually had to be dragged away from women that had taken an interest in them. Nonetheless, they all gathered.

Aiden stands at the head of the table, a motion which encourages his teammates to slowly settle down. Coach He Whitlock join as well. They seem interested in what exactly Aiden has gathered everyone for. I sit in the chair nex and nudge him encouragingly. He shoots me a grateful smile.

“You have all done an amazing job, he starts. “The Statford Freeee has progressed further into the competition this than they ever have before. You all deserve to be proud of yourselves for getting this far.”

The table breaks out into whoops and hollers of excitement. A few pound on the table and chant drunkenly. Aiden waits until the group quiets down again to continue.

“Our team has done well Very well, he continues, “but our work is far from over. Our next game is up against the Capital tram. We’ve come so far – our fans would understand if that is where we love. It would still be impressive that we’ve achieved as much as we have. We should be proud as we are.”

H

Chapter 481

The team nods, although their expressions are more wary. They don’t seem to know where Aiden is going with this. Mr. Whitlock folds his arms and sits back in his chair. It’s clear he’s curious what Aiden is going to say.

“But that’s not where we’re going to lose. No.” He takes a deep breath. “My goal is for us to win the championship this year,”

he declares.

I can immediately feel the energy at the table shift. Every team wants to win the championship, of course. Still, public opinion toward the Statford Freeze has always been mixed. They haven’t won a championship in years. Most had completely given up hope. This year, especially, with its rocky beginnings, was a long shot by all estimates,

The team begins to murmur amongst themselves. Doubt is evident in their expressions, their confidence wavering in the face of such lofty expectations. I catch the snippet of a few mumbled conversations.

Not worth betting on…”

…against the Capital? Really?”

“What is he thinking?”

Aiden’s expression, however, only becomes more firm. “I can see that you don’t believe me,” he says, “and that’s the problem. If you’re afraid, then there’s no way that we can win. The game has ended before it has even begun.”

The team falls silent, their shame evident in their lowered gazes I hesitate as their discomfort becomes more and more evident. Even Coach Henry seems a bit off put, Part of me wants to interject. If Aiden is too harsh on the team, their insecurity will only become stronger,

Before I can cut in, Aiden continues. Now, instead of his voice being firm, it’s soft-almost tinged with vulnerability. His countenance is much more open than it normally is.

“I know what it’s like to face challenges,” he says quietly. “I know what it’s like to fail. I failed when I was a member of the Capital team, unable to make it to the championships) I failed my family when I chose to continue my dream of hockey instead of dropping it all for them. Worst of all, I have failed myself time and time again, unable to show this team how much faith I have

My eyes grow wide. Aiden has always been a fairly private person, as far as I can tell. He isn’t one to admit weakness. Hearing him speak on his own hardships is sure to bring the team closer together. I glance over to see their reactions.

The team is completely silent as Aiden speaks. Their faces begin to morph into a sort of understanding. The knowledge of where Aiden’s words comes from helps their faith slowly return.

“I know what it’s like to fail,” Aiden reiterates quietly. “But I also know that together, we can overcome anything. Even the Capital. Especially the Capital”

The players begin to nod, small smiles tugging at their lips. I can see the effect his words have on the team their resolve strengthening with each passing moment

“I know my old team. I know their strengths. I know their weakness. I know that they care more about t do about teamwork. And I know that we can defeat them.”

The team erupts into cheers at Aiden’s inspirational speech. I smile softly, knowing that in this moment. A the team together at a new level. As the players celebrate, Aiden eyes turn to me. As always, it feels as thou away around us. My heart leaps

His gaze shines with gratitude. I can’t help but smile back just as widely. I know now just how powerful the word

and how by my side, he will be ready to speak them

tan be

–

han they