Power Play Read Online Free PDF Page B

stranger in the future. We need to get together for lunch or something,” Coach said. “Make sure you don’t forget the people who were with you on the way up.”
    “I won’t
ever
forget,” he said. “I just gotta go now and meet the guys, like I promised,” Brad said. “We’re going out for a pop or two.”
    “Or four or seven,” Coach said.
    “Could be more.”
    “Just keep it under control,” Coach said. “I can’t boss you around anymore, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still care.”
    “Sure, thanks. Pleased to meet you, boys. Great to see you, Coach.”
    He walked back through the crowd, greeting more people as he worked his way across the room and out the door.
    “He seems like a terrific guy,” Josh said.
    “He is,” Coach agreed. “Like I said, he’s special.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    D on’t screw up,” my father said, pushing a finger into my face.
    “I’m not going to screw up!” I snapped.
    “Are you giving me attitude?”
    I knew I’d crossed the line. I could see that flare of anger in his eyes. “No … no, sir.”
    “’Cause it’s not like you haven’t screwed things up before,” he said. “Should we take another look at your last report card?”
    I didn’t answer. I was passing everything so far, but only barely. And now I was just grateful for a chance to get away—not just from school but from home—and spend some time playing hockey. I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of that … not even me.
    “You go there and you don’t give anybody any attitude or any problems. You understand?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “You listen to all of the coaches at this camp, but you better be particularly respectful to Coach Connors.”
    “I will.”
    They had really got to know Coach through those weekly phone calls. Like always, he’d talk to them before talking to me. He always wanted to know how they were doing and what was new. I think my father saw him as a friend.
    “Just remember, he’s the man who arranged all of this. And he’s not just one of the coaches at this camp. Now, with his new position … who knows?” my father said.
    There was no need to say anything else. The road to the NHL ran right through Junior A, and the draft was the invitation to get on that road—the key to the kingdom. Showing what I could do at this camp was the first step to getting noticed by the Junior A scouts, and Coach was helping me take it.
    “And I’m telling you right now, if you cause trouble and get tossed out, you better find someplace else to stay because you’re sure as hell not coming back here!”
    “He’ll do fine,” my mother said.
    “Are you arguing with me now?” he demanded.
    “No, of course not,” she mumbled.
    She looked like she was trying to make herself small.She didn’t have to be afraid of him. If he even dared to put a hand on her … well … no more.
    “He better do more than just fine. It’s not like he’s going to make it on his brains or looks,” my father said. “This is the ticket to our … I mean,
his
dreams.”
    “I understand, and I’m going to do great,” I said. He was an idiot, but he was right about this. This was my shot. I was going to this camp to not only increase my skills but to increase my visibility. I was going to be
seen
. Coach Connors had made me understand just how connected the hockey community was. Everybody knew everybody else, and a good word or a bad reputation spread fast.
    My mother reached over and gave me a hug. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered in my ear.
    “Me too.”
    I slung my hockey bag over my shoulder, then picked up my suitcase with one hand and grabbed my two sticks with the other. I was ready. At least, as ready as I could be.
    “Come on, pick it up, pick it up!” one of the coaches yelled.
    My lungs were burning, but I dug deeper, going faster. I didn’t care if I coughed up a lung; I wasn’t giving in to the pain. I just blocked it out. I was already in the lead in laps, but I wasn’t