Page 147 of No Line Change

Not you. Not Sokolov.

If his father noticed Henri was on his phone during the intermissions, he didn’t comment. He did raise an eyebrow. If he didn’t mention it today, Henri knew he wouldn’t forget it.

Henri’s prediction about the Nilsson line was correct: they were responsible for most of the Metro team’s goals in the final game. Sokolov managed to eke out two goals and an assist on his new line, and he was definitely mollified from his earlier disastrous shifts paired with Dylan. Novak got another goal, and so did Dylan, but it seemed like Dylan wasn’t trying to score. He passed to Novak and their defenseman more often than not. He even passed it to the goalie once and encouraged him to send it down the ice when the other team went empty net. No goal, but it’d been close, and the arena had screamed in excitement.

The Central team ended up winning against the Metro 9-7, much to the surprise of the commentators.

“They really had me worried at the start of the last game,” one said. “Everett made some great line changes to fix the problem before it got out of hand.”

“Is this a sign we’ll see Coach Everett in a few years after he retires?”

“Dylan Everett retire? Ha! He’s got another decade in him at least.”

His father turned off the TV and drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair. “Well, that was exciting,” he said. “Your linemates did well.”

The words hung in the air like an open door. Henri was sure there would be nothing terrible if he stepped through it, but he wasn’t ready.

“Yes,” Henri agreed. “They did.”

His father’s face flickered; Henri didn’t know if it was in disappointment or something else. “Let’s make dinner. I’ll heat up the stove. You cut the vegetables.”

“Oui, Papa.”

CHAPTER 58

Hen (February 2024)

Congrats

Dylan

lol thanks

Completely meaningless victory in a completely meaningless tournament

But it is nice to win something

Will you celebrate with your team

I think the “teams” have dissolved

It’ll be a free for all in the hotel lobby

But yeah I’ll probably have a couple drinks with nover and make the rounds

Don’t go too crazy you have a flight tomorrow

Yeah and it’s commercial

They won’t like my snoring very much

Don’t worry I only plan on a drink or two

I’ll head up to bed whenever nover taps out

Call you tonight?

Yes if I’m still awake