Page 183 of Slapshot Baby

He pops it out. "Jordan hates the C."

"He's doing fine."

"Didn't say he wasn't." Wyatt cuts hard on the turn. "He's actually annoyingly good at it."

I glance over.

"He handles the media. Gets on guys when they're fucking around. Nearly took Theo's head off after he showed up late to practice Tuesday." Wyatt grins. "Which, for the record, was entertaining as hell."

"Sounds like he's enjoying himself."

"That's the thing. He's not."

We circle back toward center ice.

Wyatt taps his stick against the ice. "Watch him next time someone calls him Captain."

I don't answer.

"He gets this look on his face like somebody just insulted his mother."

"Maybe he doesn't like the responsibility."

Wyatt snorts. "Jordan? The guy's been bossing everyone around since I've known him. He loves telling people what to do."

Fair point.

"It's not the job he hates," Wyatt continues. "It's why he has it."

Something in my chest tightens.

"After Columbus last week, he tore into us for ten straight minutes. Told Theo his defensive coverage was shit. Told me if I turned over the puck at the blue line one more time, he'd personally staple my ass to the bench."

"Sounds like Jordan."

"Yeah. Then everyone left, and I heard him talking to Coach. Told him they needed to reinstate you. Brennan said Hargrove would never go for it."

I don't say anything.

"So yeah. Jordan hates the C." Wyatt says it like he's just presented irrefutable evidence.

The drill rotation pulls us apart before I can respond.

Thirty seconds later, he's back, slightly out of breath.

"Jordan can do the job. He just acts like he's filling in for somebody who's running late."

My stride falters.

Wyatt keeps skating. "Team dinner Thursday? Jordan's at the center of the table, giving Theo shit, buying a round for everyone, making the rookies regret sitting within hearing distance."

"Sounds like Jordan."

"Exactly. Then Brennan asks him something about next week's schedule and calls him Captain." Wyatt glances over at me. "Whole fucking mood changes."

I say nothing.

"He answers him, but five minutes later, he's gone."