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

Larson said.
    “Listen, Ray, this young man,” Coach Rapp said, putting his hand on Griffin’s shoulder, “isn’t exactly welcoming to the new team. I heard some disturbing remarks as I walked up. Maybe you can connect me with his coach.”
    Coach Larson glared at Griffin, which caused him to wither even more. “His coach is Mike Donaldson. I can get you in touch…”
    “No need,” Coach Rapp interrupted. “Mike’s a friend. We played together back in the day. I’ve got his number.”
    Coach Larson nodded. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee, Greg? I’d like to talk to you about an idea I had for league-wide trainings.”
    “Sure. Let me talk to these guys a second and I’ll catch up with you before their game.”
    “Of course. I’ll be around, or the front desk can page me.” Coach Larson walked away and in no time was intercepted by a parent.
    “Can I go now, sir?” Coach still had a grip on Griffin, so he was trapped.
    “Sure. Remember what we talked about.” Coach let him go.
    “Yes, sir.” Griffin grabbed his bag and headed into one of the rinks as fast as he could. I still had his paper, which I crumpled up, and his pen, which I pocketed.
    “I hope you don’t have to put up with that all season,” Coach said.
    “He’ll probably send a message that it won’t be a good idea to mess with us,” I said. “You’re not really going to call his coach are you?”
    “No,” Coach Rapp smiled. “Implying that I was should be enough. Especially since Ray heard me. I know you guys are more than capable to fight your own battles. But I wasn’t going to let my recruitment methods be questioned either.”
    “Thanks for what you said,” Scottie said. “That meant a lot coming from you.”
    “You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to seeing you out there. Now, if you guys will excuse me, I’m going to see Ray and check out the games in progress. The recruiting never stops.”
    “You okay?” I asked Scottie as he watched Coach Rapp walk away.
    “Yeah, sorry. Sometimes this still surprises me. It was a long shot that I’d get you guys to coach. Now we’ve got two of your teammates and one of your best friends. Even Coach Rapp is on our side. It just proves that it never hurts to ask for help.”
    “Very true,” Hillary said. “If these guys hadn’t asked me, I wouldn’t be in on this adventure.”
    Someone else came up with a piece of paper, and all four Wolverines signed that one. This conversation focused only on the Wolverines’ outlook for the season and the win we’d already posted last night in a pre-season exhibition.
    “I didn’t think this was going to turn into autograph day,” Alex said.
    “You guys are co-captains, and these guys are super great players,” Scottie said. “Of course everyone wants your autograph. Most of them want to be you in a couple years.”
    “I ‘spose,” Alex said. “We sign stuff sometimes, but I’m still not used to it.”
    “I think it’s cool,” Scottie said. “I hope I get to do it one day.”
    Alex chuckled. “Who wants hot chocolate?” A chorus of “me” went up from the coaches.
    “Okay then. Five it is. I’ll be right back.”
    He walked away and teetered after a few steps. He grabbed the back of a chair to steady himself. I stepped up to his side and offered some support, which he shrugged off.
    “You okay?” I asked.
    “Yeah, yeah.” The frustration wasn’t directed at me, but I hated hearing it.
    “I’ll help you with the drinks.”
    Alex sort of limped to the concession stand and I stayed at his side.
    “Was that like the other ones?”
    “No, it’s like it went to sleep all of a sudden.”
    Alex sighed. “It makes no sense. This is the first flare up since I started seeing Kirk.”
    “Maybe he should refer you to someone else?” We stared at each other as we waited in line. “I don’t know. It scares me to see you have to catch yourself.”
    He nodded. “Me, too.” He took a moment to order the cocoa.