Liam’s throat tightened. He hadn’t expected this. His mind reeled with what it meant—what the coachreallysaw in him.
“You are what people look for,” Captain Starnes began and chuckled. “Just look at you. You’re the whole package. You’ve got the whole ‘Captain America’look to you – blond hair, muscles, that proud stance without coming off as egotistical… and people respond to that. You’ve encouraged players on the ice, and you don’t yell or get upset. You have your own way of rising to be seen without making a scene – and when you realize that, you’ll be unstoppable.”
It was as if the coach saw right through him—past the practiced calm, the forced humility, straight to the doubts Liam had buried deep. He’d always tried to lead quietly, to prove himself with action, not volume. But to hear it called out so plainly?
“But, but Boucher or…” Liam tried again, reaching for logic, for an out that made more sense.
“Once you realize that you are the captain of this team, you will be unstoppable,” Coach Starnes repeated, his tone firmer now, with no room for argument. “You aren’t the coach, you aren’t a pushover, you aren’t their buddy… you are their captain, their mentor, and you will be fine.”
Liam’s chest felt tight. He wanted to believe it, but it was a heavy mantle to wear. One that came with expectations he wasn’t sure he could live up to. “Are you sure?”
“Yes – but you have to believe it too,” the coach said, a deep frown creasing his brow. “Now, why don’t you go meet the guys who have arrived. We’ve got several others that are showing up this week and should have our team here by Saturday. We’ll be having a get-together to meet everyone, and I want you there. Bring your wife. Kiss a few babies, shake hands, and be present as our captain. Keep that whole fear tucked deep down inside, young man,” Coach Starnes said in a hushed voice, giving him a knowing look. “Everyone has doubts and fears, but I will tell you now – it spreads and willdebilitateour team before we hit the ice.”
The weight of his gaze made Liam shift and made him swallow again. The coach’s tone hardened, cutting through Liam’s hesitation.
“Fear is contagious – but so is confidence,” he said firmly. “I want you to put a mask on your face, puff up your chest, and strut out of this room as my captain.Do you hear me?You, Liam Savage, are thecaptainof Quebec’s Wolverines –and we are going to win the Cup!”
The words lit something inside him. A spark. A dare. A belief he hadn’t fully let himself feel.
“Yes, sir.”
“I cannot hear you…”
“Yes, sir!”Liam said louder, squaring his shoulders, letting the words take root. “I’m your captain – that’smyteam – and we’re going to clean up this season.”
“That’s my boy,” the coach chuckled, his features softening with pride. “Good job. Now, I want you to do that again in the mirror tonight and practice looking tough, large, and in charge. You got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Welcome aboard, Captain Savage. I’m glad to have you here.”
The words echoed in Liam’s ears long after Coach Starnes had turned and walked away. He stood there, motionless. His heartbeat thundered in his chest like a drumline; each beat marking the beginning of something that felt monumental.
Captain.
It wasn’t just a title. It was a mantle. A declaration. A silent vow.
He swallowed hard, the weight of those two syllables pressing down on him, sinking into his bones. This wasn’t just about wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey or giving locker room pep talks. No, this was about stepping into something far bigger than himself—becoming someone his teammates could count on. Someone they would follow. Trust. Look up to when the game was on the line, and everything felt like it was falling apart.
It was a pledge—to them and to himself—to rise above the chaos swirling inside him. To drown out the doubts. To hide the gnawing insecurities that threatened to surface with every passing minute. He didn’t feel ready. Not even close. But that didn’t matter now.
He had to be ready anyway.
There was so much to learn.Too much.And it's not just about being captain, either.
He had to figure out how to be a friend to Ashley—how to truly know her, listen to her, and support her in ways she didn’t even know she needed. He had to somehow become a husband, at least in name for now, and hopefully, something more in time. He had to navigate this strange and fragile connection between them without pushing her too far or retreating when she pulled away. And she pulled awaya lot.
He wanted her to see him.Really see him.Not as some contractual obligation. Not as a convenient name on a piece of paper for the next ninety days. But as someone who might be worth falling for. Someone who might be worthy of her trust. Of someone to turn to, to hold hands with again, to someday want to hold close. He wanted so many moments like that simple breakfast they’d had together this morning. That quiet peace and strained conversation had felt so good deep down inside.
And if that weren’t enough?
He also had to learn how to be the guy who led the charge on the ice. Who skated out front with confidence burning bright in his eyes and steadiness in his hands. Even if inside, he felt anything but that.
“I am so screwed,” he whispered to himself, the words barely audible over the hum of the rink as he walked down the hallway toward it. For a moment, he let the doubt devour him, let it whisper all the ways he might fail, all the places he might fall short – and paused.
Coach Starnes had said something that stuck with him like a burr under his skin. “Fear is contagious, but so is confidence.”
Liam clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe deeper and stand taller. He wasn’t fearless. Not by a long shot. But maybe… he could fake it long enough for it to grow into something real for all of those who would depend on him. Maybe if he believed in himself, even a little, then perhaps the team would support him… and maybe Ashley might believe in him, too.
