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“Dane,” I say, not looking up as I lace up my skates

“Just couldn’t say no to“Even though you’re washed up with a bu Can’t wait to cover for you out on the ice”

“You worry about your shit and I’ll worry about uards and stand up

I skated a lot during rehab, so it’s not that I’et out there

But will it be the sa question Does the fire to win still burn inside ames, will it pass?

My trainer wantedto hockey, but I’ the preseason I’m the natural fit for captain of this new expansion team, a first line forho has already o chahest paid man here I want to be a leader from day one

And that’s today Ignoring Dane, I make my way to the tunnel I can smell the new fabric on the arena seats, and I can feel the possibilities here No team has won or lost on this rink yet A coach hasn’t lost his shit on his team in the locker room Tears of victory and defeat have yet to be shed

It feels al to be one of the first to play here We’ve got a chance to build soreat I set aside a few other possibilities—that on’t gel as a teaht that we’re a team made up of rebels and misfits the established teams don’t want

I pull off uards and set them on the bench, then slide myself over the wall and onto the ice It remains to be seen if this was the best or worst decision I’ve ever made, but either way—I’m back

Chapter Two

Gia

“You’re back,” a gray-haired ivesmore money?”

I put on a confident smile