Rebel Power Play (4 page)

Charlie pulled his collar tightly around his neck to keep the rain from running down his back. School had just finished, and he was waiting for Matt. Matt had missed homeroom, the only class they had together, and Charlie hadn’t seen him the rest of the day. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen him around much at all lately.

Finally, Charlie caught sight of him running out the doors.

“Hey, Matt!” he said.

Matt didn’t stop. Instead, he sprinted off down the street. Charlie groaned and took off after him. Ten minutes standing in the pouring rain and now he was going for a jog! Charlie screamed his name several times. Finally, Matt turned around.

“Didn’t know you could run like that,” Charlie said, breathing heavily. “You should go for track this spring.”

Matt didn’t laugh. He looked at his watch. “I’m a little late for something. Sorry, but I gotta get going.”

“I just wanted to fill you in on the Hawks.”

The rain continued to pour down. Matt ran his hand across his face. “I don’t know about that. It’s been kinda crazy for me. School’s intense. Don’t care about hockey
so much at the moment. Maybe I’ll get back into it next year …” He broke off and looked at his watch again.

Charlie’s mind flooded with questions. This wasn’t the Matt he knew. Since when did he not care about hockey? What was the big hurry? And since when did he wear a watch? Charlie had to get to the bottom of it.

“Why were you so late leaving school? I nearly caught pneumonia waiting for you.”

“I didn’t get my book report done for English. Hilton made me stay after school to finish it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Charlie was even more bewildered now. Matt was a straight-A student. He never missed an assignment.

“Hold on. What’ve you been up to? You missed the first tryout, and the team’s been picked. I could speak to the coach. You should see the equipment we got — it’s unreal. Easton composite sticks, pro gloves, just incredible stuff.”

“That sounds great, Charlie. But I don’t feel like playing. No big deal. I appreciate you telling me and calling … I’m just busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

He shrugged. “Got a job, which is why I’m in a hurry. It starts in ten minutes, and my boss said I’d better not be late again or he’d take it out of my pay.”

“Where are you working?”

“With a roofing company. I help rip the shingles.”

“You’d rather work than play hockey?”

“Some of us don’t have a choice.” His tone had an edge to it. He looked at his watch again. “I really gotta go. I’ll catch up with you later. Good luck with the — ”

“Roscoe, let me introduce you to the two biggest
losers in Terrence Falls.”

The voice filled Charlie with dread. Jake was crossing the street towards them with his buddies, Liam and Thomas. The big new kid was with him too.

“Great,” Matt growled. “Now I’m definitely going to be late.”

“You can get going,” Charlie said. “I’ll tell these guys to buzz.”

Matt folded his arms across his chest, his eyes narrowing.

“We really miss seeing you around, Matt,” Liam said. “You run off after school every day. I wonder why.”

Jake had a big grin on his face.

“We gotta go,” Charlie said. “We’ve got no time for this. Bye.”

“Why the hurry?” Jake sneered. “Oh, I forgot. Matt’s gotta make some cash for his old man. How’s the roofing business?”

Liam and Thomas snickered. Matt flushed and balled his fists.

“Did I tell you boys that Matt’s dad is doing some yard work for my dad?” Jake continued. “My dad got him a few other jobs too. I think he’s cleaning out our garage. Didn’t do a good job raking our leaves — missed a few — but I let him off the hook. I even gave him a two-buck tip.”

“Maybe it’ll be enough for Matt to buy a lollipop,” Liam said.

“Or a bag of chips,” Thomas said.

Charlie didn’t understand. Why would Matt’s dad rake leaves for Jake?

“We gotta go, so later,” Charlie said.

Jake stepped closer. “Joyce, I understand you’re trying out for Dunn’s new team. What’s it called?”

“The Hawks,” Liam said.

“With the guys on that team, they should call it the Flops,” Roscoe said.

Jake laughed and gave Roscoe a high-five. “It’ll be fun when we play you. You might learn something — like the meaning of pain.” He lunged forward and punched Charlie’s shoulder with his palm.

It hurt, but Charlie didn’t show it. He moved back, keeping his eye on Jake.

Thomas chuckled. “We promise to take it easy when it’s 10–0 after the first period.”

“Matt, you didn’t show for the Wildcats practices. I hope our little fight at the tournament didn’t scare you off,” Jake said.

“Dudes, look. I think Matt’s crying,” Liam said.

“I’d be crying too if my dad was such a loser,” Jake said.

Matt’s face was so pale Charlie thought he might be sick. Matt didn’t react to Jake’s taunting, however. That surprised him, since Matt had a temper. Why would he just take this from Jake?

Charlie wasn’t about to let Jake get away with it.

“I guess you all think you’re being tough, but this act is beyond lame. Without Matt, you’ll be lucky to make the playoffs. Just watch — it’ll be the Hawks vs the Snow Birds for the championship.”

“Listen to that,” Liam howled. He was bent over laughing. “The dude’s delusional.”

“The dude’s pathetic,” Roscoe said.

“The dude’s a dead man,” Jake said.

He lunged at Charlie again. This time Charlie was ready and blocked Jake’s punch. He followed up with a double forearm to Jake’s chest.

Jake fell back a few steps. “Guys, get a shovel, ’cause by the time I’m finished with this guy you’ll have to scrape him off the sidewalk.”

“Take him down, Jake,” Thomas said.

“Hammer time,” Liam said.

Charlie circled to his right.

“Here’s an interesting situation,” Charlie heard someone say.

He lowered his fists and relaxed. His friends had appeared out of nowhere.

“Why can’t you little boys behave?” Scott continued.

“Don’t you know four against two is not a fair fight?” Nick growled, looking straight at Jake.

Pudge placed his hands on his hips and stood next to Charlie.

“You guys just finished choir practice?” Jake said. “Or were you doing flower arrangements after school again?”

“Doesn’t Hilton teach that class?” Liam asked.

“You’re a tough talker when Hilton’s not around,” Charlie shot back.

“I forgot,” Jake said. “Joyce is in love with the great Hilton. Sorry for not dropping to my knees and praying to that jerk. One day maybe you’ll be lucky enough to play for a real coach.”

“One day maybe you’ll be lucky enough to play for a real team,” Charlie said.

Jake twisted his mouth to the side. “Have your fun now, Joyce. It won’t be fun when the Wildcats beat the
Hawks to a pulp. Let’s space, dudes.”

They crossed the street. Jake turned around. He pointed two fingers to his eyes, and then at Charlie. “Matt, tell your old man he can clean our toilets tomorrow,” he said.

He and his friends laughed uproariously.

“I’m going to crush that guy when we play against the Wildcats,” Scott said. “He’s going through the boards, I swear it.”

“What was that all about?” Pudge asked Charlie.

“Don’t know exactly. Me and Matt were just talking and they come up and started messing with us. No reason. Right, Matt?”

Matt didn’t reply. He looked dejectedly at his watch.

“Typical Jake — chickens out once the numbers aren’t on his side. Never one for a fair fight,” Nick said.

“We owe you guys,” Charlie said. “Lucky for us you showed up.”

“You could take them, easy,” Pudge said. “They’re full of hot air, that’s all.”

Charlie sighed. “Something tells me I’ll get the chance to test that theory. What’s Jake’s problem anyway?”

“He was the best hockey player in school — until you came,” Pudge said.

“I’m not sure about that,” he replied. He didn’t want Pudge saying that in front of the guys. “There’s a screw missing in his head, that’s all I know.”

“We were on the way to my dad’s for dinner,” Pudge said. “You want to come?”

“I’m not gonna pass up a chance to scarf at Bruno’s Bistro,” Charlie laughed. “Can we cruise by my house
first, so I can drop off my knapsack and tell my mom? It’s right on the way.”

“No problem,” Pudge said. “You up for it, Matt?”

“Thanks, but I gotta go. I’m really late now.” He turned to Charlie. “Sorry about that. It’s a weird situation … I have to be more careful … and … I gotta go. Bye.”

He ran off down the street.

Charlie cupped his hands around his mouth. “I’ll call you later,” he yelled.

He turned to face his friends. “Does anyone have a clue what’s going on with Matt? He said he was working for a roofing company — and that he’s not going to play hockey. Jake was also saying some random stuff about Matt’s dad. Pudge, you know anything?”

Pudge didn’t answer at first. He looked uncomfortable. Then he said, “I know Matt’s job is taking up a lot of time. Maybe he wants to focus on school the rest of the time.”

“He’s the smartest kid in school as it is. He could cut his marks in half and they’d still be higher than mine,” Scott said.

Pudge was the type of guy who always seemed to have the inside story. Charlie had a feeling he knew more. “You got any info?” he persisted.

“It’s not really for me to say,” Pudge said.

“We can’t help if we don’t know,” Charlie said. “And it seems like Matt could use some help.”

Pudge nodded. “You know most of it, so you may as well get the rest of the story. My dad told me yesterday. Matt’s dad worked for the same building company for years. He’s a carpenter. The company closed down in the
summer, and he hasn’t been able to find a new job. I understand the family’s hurting financially … and, well, Matt’s trying to help out.”

“So that’s why he’s working for the roofers — and that’s why there’s no time for hockey. He’s also messing up at school,” Charlie said. “Hilton kept him after class to finish his book report.”

They turned the corner onto Charlie’s street.

“Is Matt’s dad a good carpenter?” he asked Pudge.

“My dad told me he did an awesome job for him at the restaurant a few years ago,” Pudge said. “Built an entire set of cabinets in, like, two days.”

“My mom’s been saying she needs a ton of stuff for the café. I could put her in touch with Matt’s dad.”

“We should all ask around,” Pudge said. “Maybe we can drum up some business for him.”

“Good idea,” Charlie said. “Ask anyone you know — parents, relatives, friends — anything’s better than yard work for Jake!”

Pudge snapped his fingers. “Why don’t I see if I can get Matt a job at the restaurant? He’d make good money, and pick his own hours too, like only work on weekends.”

“Which would leave time for hockey and school,” Charlie said. “I definitely need to speak to Dunn about Matt. If this works, and Matt’s available to play, I’m sure he’ll give him a spot.”

“Worth a try,” Nick said.

“Gentlemen, prepare to be amazed by my blazing speed,” Scott said.

He took off towards Charlie’s house. His friends followed in hot pursuit. Charlie usually relished these
little challenges, but this time he was too preoccupied by Matt’s situation to enjoy the race. Matt must be feeling humiliated. If Jake ever said anything like that about his dad, Charlie didn’t know what he’d do. And the idea of Matt not playing hockey was impossible. He had to try to help him — but was there really anything he could do?

Why were things always so complicated?

“Let’s go, driver. What’s the hold-up?”

The team bus jerked forward at Dunn’s command, and slowly pulled out of the parking lot. “Listen up,” Dunn said. He stood next to the driver, facing the players. “I’m gonna call out the lineup for today’s game. After I’m done, I want you to move so you’re sitting with your linemates or defence partner.”

Charlie expected Mike to be centre on the first line, so it was no surprise to hear his name called first. Then Dunn announced Zachary and Pudge as his wingers.

Pudge elbowed Charlie. “Is this for real?” he whispered. “I figured our line would be together.”

What could he say? “Season’s just started. Probably going to try a bunch of different line combos.”

“Second line — Sean is the pivot, with Jacob and Wesley on the flanks …”

Charlie pushed back into his seat. He was on the third line — the third line!

Dunn dropped his clipboard onto his seat. “It’s about a thirty-minute drive to the Tornadoes’ rink,” he said. “I wanna hear some hockey talk. Figure out what you’re gonna do on the ice. Work out some plays. I’ll
give you ten minutes, and then I’ll pull out the whiteboard for a strategy session.”

Charlie dug his fingernails into the armrest. Third line — on
this
team!

“Move back, Joyce.” Mike was standing in the aisle. “Pudge is on my line,” he said.

“Okay … right,” Charlie stammered. He felt as if everyone on the bus was looking at him. To make things worse, he didn’t even hear Dunn call out his line. Was he even centre? He stood to let Mike sit next to Pudge and looked out the window, pretending to see something interesting. He’d let everyone else find his seat, and then he could figure out where he was supposed to sit.

“Hey, Charlie. Over here.”

Jonathon waved and pointed at an empty seat next to him. Charlie sat down, grateful for the invitation, but still reeling from being put on the third line.

“I think we were on the white team together, for the tryout,” Charlie said. “You and me played centre. I’m Charlie Joyce.”

Jonathon shook Charlie’s hand warmly. “I know. And I feel weird that I’m supposed to be centre. You played centre on the school team, right?”

Charlie nodded.

“I was at the tournament final — awesome game. And you played great. We should’ve won.”

“Thanks. It went down to the wire. I still can’t believe how it ended.”

“The whole team was bogus!” Sean glared at Charlie from where he was sitting, a couple of rows in front. “Chelsea totally dominated us. Hilton is clueless. He made the most stupid, brain-dead cuts from the team,
and it was his fault we lost. He cut me after the first tryout, and Mike too! Totally lame.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to fire back that Hilton’s mistake was even letting Sean and Mike try out. Instead, Charlie said diplomatically, “Picking a team’s tough, especially when there isn’t much time. Hilton even said that he may have made some mistakes.”

“Tell me about it,” Sean fumed. “Doesn’t matter now anyway. We need to focus on this season, and not some bogus high school tournament.” He turned around and settled back into his seat.

Jonathon rolled his eyes and nodded towards Sean. Charlie had to force himself not to laugh.

Charlie’s other linemate leaned across the aisle. “Hey, guys. I’m David Simpson. Right wing on your line.” He paused and continued in a whisper. “I was cut after the first tryout for the school team too, but I deserved it.” He started laughing, which set Charlie and Jonathon off.

Sean glared at Charlie again. “I can tell you guys are thinking about the game like Coach told us! Time to get serious. I want to win this game — big time. We need to establish our rep early. The Tornadoes finished last in the league last year. Our first two lines are totally stacked. You guys on the third line need to make sure you don’t blow it and give up cheap goals. It’ll be 5–0 before the first — that is, if you guys focus.”

“I don’t know about that,” Charlie said. “We weren’t even in the league last year, and we’ve hardly practised. Besides, for a lot of guys this is their first triple-A game. I think we’re in for a serious battle.”

“First triple-A game!” Sean said. “You and your friends are all up on yourselves because you played triple-
A last year. The rest of us can play too, dude. You guys act like you invented the game.”

“That’s not it at all. I didn’t say me … I mean … what I meant was …”

“Hey, Mike,” Sean called. “Joyce thinks we’re gonna lose today. Thinks we don’t have enough talent, except for him and his buddies, of course.”

“I didn’t say that. Give me a break.”

“Tell Mr. Superstar that he’s on the third line for a reason,” Mike said. “Just watch and learn, and maybe I’ll let him touch the championship trophy.”

Dunn poked his head around. “Joyce, I couldn’t help hearing what you said. I will not accept defeat. I’m a winner, and so are my teams. If you’re not that kind of player, you won’t be around for too long.”

Charlie gritted his teeth and kept quiet, staring intently at the back of the seat in front of him. He was too angry to speak. He was supposed to play with Mike and Sean? He’d rather pound them into the boards! Thankfully, Sean and Mike began a heated debate over who should be on the power play.

“Forget them,” Jonathon said quietly. “You’re twice the player either of them are, and they know it. That’s really what it’s all about.”

“He totally twisted what I said.”

“You don’t have to convince me. Both of them are out of control — especially Mike. He wasn’t that easy to deal with before this team. Now he thinks he’s in the NHL.”

“I guess we have to make the best of it,” Charlie said, glad for the sympathetic words.

“I’m under no illusions,” Jonathon said. “Me and
David were talking about it before we got on the bus. I admit I’m glad to try triple-A hockey — it’ll be a learning experience — but I doubt I’ll ever be more than an average player. I consider myself lucky to even get the chance. To play with you, on the same line, is awesome. I just hope I don’t slow you down.”

Charlie knew Jonathon worked hard and was unselfish with the puck. He wasn’t the best player, but he contributed to the team.

“You’re being hard on yourself. I thought you earned a spot on the team. Besides, the first game is always the toughest. Even if our line has some problems today, things will start clicking once we play together a few times.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said. “By the way, I forgot, a mutual friend told me to say hi.”

“Who’s that?”

“Julia.”

Charlie flushed slightly. He hoped Jonathon hadn’t noticed. “Julia?”

“You know — Julia Chow.”

Of course he knew her. Julia was in his homeroom class. She was also a terrific athlete, and had been captain of the girls junior hockey team in the school tournament. She was a very popular girl, had lots of friends, and was smart too. They’d spoken a few times, and for some reason a few of his friends liked to pretend there was a thing between them. He knew they were only teasing. Anyway, ever since he’d seen her hanging with Jake, he’d avoided talking to her.

“Of course — Julia,” he said, as casually as he could manage. “How do you know her?”

“Next-door neighbour my whole life. She’s like a sister — we practically grew up together. Anyway, she told me to say hi.”

“Hi back, I guess.”

Jonathon grinned. “I’ll deliver the message.”

They were interrupted by Dunn telling everyone to be quiet.

“Eyes front and centre, boys. Time to get serious. I wanna go over our forechecking. We’re going to be the most aggressive team in the league, slam some bodies, force turnovers, and intimidate. That’s Hawks hockey. So listen up and learn. First line will start, with Richard and Samuel on D.”

What a contrast to Coach Hilton, Charlie thought, as he listened to Dunn drone on for the next twenty minutes. Hilton simplified the game, explaining everything so clearly that you knew exactly what to do. Dunn did the opposite. The whiteboard was soon covered in a confusing mass of lines, dots, and arrows going every which way, and Charlie had a hard time making sense of any of it. He stopped listening after five minutes — and wondered if Julia had really said hi.