Read Online Off the Crossbar by David Skuy - Free Book Online

his teammates pounded him on the helmet.
    “Perfect pass,” he yelled in Nick’s ear.
    “Perfect play,” Nick enthused, adding a whack on the back.
    Hilton blew his whistle and waved for all the players to join him at centre. Charlie took a knee next to Scott, Zachary and Nick.
    “That was great, guys,” he said. “I saw a lot of skill and heart out there. Of course, this is the tough part. I really think all of you could contribute, but like I said, we can only register fifteen skaters and two goalies. I’m going to talk with Coach Tremblay for a minute. Head in to the dressing room, and we’ll call you out with our decision.”
    Charlie reviewed the practice in his mind as he undressed. Obviously, the fight was the low point. But hopefully, he’d redeemed himself during the scrimmage. He had the feeling Coach Tremblay was on his side. He was the one who’d moved him to forward. Hilton had been pretty angry, though … It wouldn’t be long to wait, anyway.
    Mike walked into the room and practically threw himself down on the bench beside Charlie. “Totally bogus,” he fumed. “Ref drops the puck before I’m ready. Did that the entire game. You gotta admit the ref was totally lame.”
    Charlie shrugged. What could he say?
    “My stick wasn’t even down on that last play. You saw it,” Mike continued. “And as if the ice time was fair. This team is totally messed. I mean it.”
    “Tough for everyone,” Charlie managed. He began wondering if he would have been better off sitting next to Jake. He looked around for a place to move, but the room was jammed. He had to endure one complaint after another from Mike who ran down Hilton and Tremblay and practically every player.
    The door opened and Hilton walked in.
    “Dylan, Pudge and Zachary, can I please speak to you in the hall?”
    The three players returned a minute later. Charlie was sure Zachary had made it. That Dylan kid was okay too. Pudge was a solid defenceman, and even though he hung out with Jake and his crew, he seemed different from those guys.
    The process was repeated, with another group of three. Charlie did his best to look cool when his turn came, along with Scott and Nick’s. The two coaches waited in the corridor, a few dressing rooms away.
    Hilton’s serious expression changed into an expansive smile when they got near. “Congratulations, fellas, we’re going to need all three of you for the team.”
    Scott gave a loud whoop and clapped his hands. “Awesome,” he shouted.
    Hilton laughed. “Scott and Nick, we’d like you to team up as a defence pair. You played great today, and I think your styles compliment each other. Nick, we like youroffensive ability, and we’re going to exploit that. Scott is solid defensively, which will let Nick wander a bit more. As for you,” he said, turning to Charlie, “we think the move to centre fit your game perfectly, and that’s where you’re going to stay. How does that sound?”
    “It sounds good,” Charlie said, still overwhelmed.
    Scott was not so subdued. “It sounds better than good, Coach. It sounds totally good!”
    “Just one thing,” Hilton said, pointing at Scott and Charlie. “I can’t have a repetition of the … scuffle. Tryouts are over, and I appreciate that it’s a stressful experience. I am counting on you to put all bad feelings aside, and work together as a team.”
    “You can count on me for that,” Charlie said earnestly.
    “Ancient history,” Scott concurred.
    “Good to hear that. Now, can you ask Mike, Richard and Jonathon to come next? I think they’re in your dressing room.” Hilton asked.
    As they made their way back, Scott elbowed Charlie and pointed to Nick. “Can you believe I gotta watch this pretty boy prance around the ice every shift, while I do all the hard work?”
    “Doesn’t solid defensively really mean can’t skate?” Nick asked Charlie.
    These two were never serious. Why should he be?
    “I’m kinda surprised either of you made