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“I know the drill,” he interrupted. He put his earbuds in as soon as it was polite to do so and let himself dissociate on the drive.

He was barely in the door and they handed him a jersey. He didn’t even check what number they gave him—he didn’t care—just pulled it on and went where they told him.

“Smile!” the photographer tried, her own smile wide and bright.

It only deepened his scowl. Thankfully, she didn’t press, just snapped a few pictures and handed him off to the next person.

He was given info about housing at an apartment complex near the rink, the lease covered until the end of the season, with maps and schedules and enough team details to make his head spin. He wished these things happened in French, but if teams invested in interpreters, they didn’t seem to think he needed them. And maybe he didn’t, but he sure as hell wanted one right now.

“The team is on a road trip out east,” a staff member told him. “They’re flying back from Montreal tomorrow. You should be able to join them for practice in two days.”

Because of course he’d missed the Quebec game. And of course LA hadn’t even had theirs yet. Fuck his life. He’d put off breaking the news to his father until later.

When he finally arrived at the furnished apartment in downtown Albuquerque, he took a moment to breathe. Okay. This was happening. He was here. Time to start over. Again.

Maybe the fourth time was the charm.

CHAPTER 11

Dylan (January 2023)

Hey coach do you know what number they’re giving Baptiste?

Coach Krzysztofek

No why?

Can you get him #17?

Wasn’t he 29 on the Devils?

Yeah I think so but we should make him 17

Are you friends with him or something? You know something I don’t?

No I’ve never met the guy

I mean I’ve obviously seen him before at games or whatever

But we’ve never talked or anything

Everett. Please make it make sense. Why 17?

Well I’m #12 because I was drafted in 2012 and it was like this whole statement.

That I’m the best of the 2012 draft class.

Because I am ofc ;)

And Baptiste was drafted in 2017…

Didn’t he go fifth overall?

And I went second. Fuck that shit.

Everett. This isn’t a hockey game, it’s a text message. Language.

Sorry coach