Read Online Hat Trick 3: Penalty Shot by Jeff Adams - Free Book Online Page A

of our division’s games were already in progress, so Trent and Danny went to check those out as Hillary, Alex, and I took over a table to watch for our team to start trickling in.
    “Excuse me,” said a guy in a Chargers jersey, as he came up to our group. I recognized the team name as one in our division. “I was wondering if I could get you guys’ autograph. It’s not every day you see the Wolverines’ captains just hanging out here.”
    “Sure,” I said. Behind the autograph seeker I saw Scottie come in, rolling his huge gear bag behind him. “We’d be happy to.” The guy gave me a piece of paper, which looked torn from a spiral notebook, and a pen. “What’s your name?”
    “Griffin,” he said. “What’s got you guys out here?”
    “Hey, Simon, Alex, Hillary,” Scottie said, bumping fists with everyone. He sorta bounced between the three of us. “Great to see you.”
    “Scottie, you’re here early,” Alex said.
    “Yeah, I wanted to be here when the rest of the team showed. Be a good captain and all.”
    “You guys know this sissy boy?” Griffin asked, his mouth hanging open.
    I stood, and had a couple inches on the guy, even though he was in skates. Alex and Hillary circled around.
    “We coach Scottie’s team,” I said. “That kind of talk isn’t very sportsmanlike. Not only have you insulted him, you’re not exactly making friends with us either.” I took Alex’s hand for extra emphasis. “Since you asked for our autograph, I assume you know that we’re a couple, right?”
    “Well, yeah,” Griffin stumbled over his words, “but you guys don’t prance around. How’s he supposed to stop a puck? He’ll probably hide in the net when he sees what’s coming towards him.”
    Scottie spoke up while remaining all smiles. “Do we get to play you today?”
    “No. Unfortunately we don’t get the honor of wiping the rink with your…” Griffin stopped, considering his words further. Danny and Trent joined us as well. “…team. We see you in two weeks.”
    “I can assure you I won’t be hiding in the net. I’ll be out front, waiting to knock down anything you send my way.”
    “And I suggest your team take a good look at league rules,” I said, “which covers in detail that there’s no unsportsmanlike conduct tolerated.”
    The guy looked dumbfounded. He searched the rink, maybe looking for some of his teammates to back him up, or for a way to get himself out of this situation.
    “You can’t tell me,” he said, finding a defiant streak, “that if you two acted like fairies that the Wolverines would’ve given you a look.”
    “Given how good they play, I wouldn’t hesitate to recruit them.”
    Whoa. Coach Rapp, decked out in his Wolverines jacket that clearly said who he was, managed to come in from nowhere. Griffin turned, seemingly ready to say something, but stopped when he saw who it was.
    “And I’ve seen Scottie between the pipes,” Coach continued. “He’s good. Someone I’ll be keeping tabs on. Now, young man, who’s your coach?”
    The guy turned white as a ghost. I thought he might pass out.
    “I haven’t seen him this morning,” Griffin said, the bluster of a few moments ago long gone.
    “I didn’t ask where he was. I asked who he was.” Coach Rapp’s voice was chilling, and I was glad I wasn’t the one he was talking to.
    “Greg, it’s good to see you. What brings you in today?” It was Coach Larson, the league director. He joined our circle and shook hands with Coach Rapp.
    “Ray, it’s been too long. I came out to support these guys. Rainbow High’s had some practices at Yost and since some of my guys are coaching, I wanted to be in the stands for their opening.”
    “That’s excellent. Mr. Polan, it’s good to see you. Your team ready?”
    He was certainly more pleasant than when we filed the paperwork. No doubt because of Coach Rapp.
    “I think so,” Scottie said. “We’ve had some good practices.”
    “Good to hear,” Coach