Page 48 (1/2)

"Morning, Sunshine," he mumbles "Please tell me you made some coffee"

I point to the counter "Go nuts"

He pours himself a cup and plops down on one of the stools "Did cartoon chiprurumpy Smile, dude It’s our favorite day of the year, remember?"

AKA the first day of open tryouts for freshh school The upperclassmen crash every year to scope out the prospective talent, because sadly, losing talented players is a fact of life when you play Briar hockey Guys graduate, drop out, go pro And since the teaer to check out the incoems on the ice today, because the team’s in a world of trouble We lost three of our best forwards--Birdie and Niko, who graduated, and Connor, who signed with the Kings Our defense lost Rogers to Chicago, and two of our senior defenseraduation, which er shifts, at least until sogest hit we took?

Losing our goalie

Kenny Siic in that crease He was a freshman when Coach naoalies were already on the roster--the guy was that good Now that he’s graduated, the fate of our team rests in the hands of a senior named Patrick, unless this freshmen crop somehow produces another Kenny Simms

"We should’ve bribed Sih, and I realize I’ about Simms’ departure

"We’ll be okay," I answer, rather unconvincingly

"No, on’t," comes Dean’s voice, and then he enters the kitchen and heads for the coffeemaker "I doubt we’ll even make it to the post-season Not without Kenny"

"Ye of little faith," Tucker chides, waltzing through the doorway

"Holy shit," I blurt out "You shaved the beard" I glare at Garrett "Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve thrown us a party"

Dean snickers "You mean thrown him a party"

"No, he means us," Garrett replies forfor half a year"