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commended as Jason headed toward the shower. He patted Jason on the back.
    â€œThanks, Cap.”
    â€œYou and Eric always go at it like that?”
    Jason shrugged. “Yeah. It’s been that way since we were kids.”
    â€œHey, I know. My brother and I still lock horns. Something about sibs, I guess.”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œWell, keep up the good work,” said Michael.
    â€œWill do.”
    Jason watched his captain walk away. Michael Dante had never had speed or great skills, but he was relentless and never backed down. If Jason showed half the grit and determination Michael did, he’d make his mark on New York.
    â€œYo, country boy.”
    Jason turned at the sound of Denny O’Malley’s voice. Malls, as he was known, wasn’t the sharpest tack in the box, but he was a nice guy, and he knew how to have a good time. Jason had already been out on the town with Malls, Eric, and a couple of other guys before the season started.
    â€œA bunch of us are going over to the Chapter House for a few brews. You in?”
    â€œDefinitely,” said Jason.
    â€œMeet me in the Green Room, and we’ll split a cab.”
    â€œCool.”
    Jason continued on to the showers, grinning like a fool. He’d heard about the Chapter House; it was the Blades’ unofficial bar, a place where they could shoot pool and sink a few drinks without being hassled. Jason had yet to set foot inside. That was about to change.

CHAPTER 04
    â€œWhat a dump!”
    Jason was delighted with the Chapter House. The jukebox was older than dirt, the windows hadn’t been washed since Prohibition, and none of the rickety tables had matching chairs. But that was its charm; besides, not one head turned when he and a few of his teammates strolled in. Jason wouldn’t have minded being recognized, but he knew the other guys relished the bar as one of the few places they could drink without hassle. His ego could deal with anonymity for one night.
    â€œTotal shit hole,” Denny O’Malley agreed in a voice laced with affection. “But to me, it’s a second home.”
    â€œThat doesn’t bode well for your first home, dude,” quipped Barry Fontaine, who’d tapped Jason to pay, since he was “one of the new guys.” Jason didn’t mind. Ulf Torkelson would pay next, and besides, it all evened out in the end. What mattered was hanging out with these guys here. If it wasn’t so dorky, he’d pull out his cell and call Guillaume Steves, his buddy back in Minnesota who was still playing for the Mosquitoes. “Guess where I am?” he’d say. “At the Chapter House!” Guillaume, who worshipped Ty Gallagher like a god, would understand.
    Ulf slapped him on the back. “So, how are you liking New York?”
    â€œHow are you liking it?” Ulf played for Ottawa before being traded to New York just before Jason.
    â€œAmazing.” Ulf shook his head in wonder. “The food, the people . . .”
    â€œThe women,” added Thad Meyers.
    â€œThat, too,” said Ulf with a grin. “So many babes, so little time.”
    â€œHear, hear!” said Malls as they all raised their glasses high.
    â€œYou got a girlfriend?” Ulf asked Jason.
    An image of Delilah flashed in his mind. “Not right now. You?”
    â€œDivorced. Finally. Thank God.”
    Jason didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know Ulf’s wife, but judging from the approving nods of his teammates, Jason gathered Ulf was better off sans Mrs. T.
    An hour and a half passed in the blink of an eye. Talk became decidedly more raucous as booze and increasing familiarity loosened their tongues. Malls, Thad, and Barry were cracking Jason and Ulf up telling them about their adventures on the Blades. Malls looked pissed when Barry reminded him of the time he’d told a magazine he liked women with “Big kazungas” and Ty’s wife, working PR for