Nikki Worrell - The Enforcer (NHL Scorpions)

Well, that took Zoe back. She had no indication that Jody would consider not playing. “Why do you feel like that? Is it the trauma to your body? Does it have more to do with Lacey? Or is there something else involved?”

Jody ran his hand through his hair thinking. “Well, it’s not one particular thing, but the hit was like the straw that broke the camel’s back. What if I got hit again, and I wind up like Lindros or Primeau? Both of those guys had multiple concussions and have never been the same since. I don’t want to live the rest of my life battling headaches, fatigue or issues with my vision. So here’s my problem, and I know it’s my pride that’s suffering. Does that make me weak?” He couldn’t imagine being sick for the rest of his time with Lacey, but if he quits, is he weak? “I plan on having a life with Lacey, and I don’t want it ruined by something I could have avoided.”

“Jody, I think you have very valid points. I certainly can’t answer those questions for you, but think about this. If a man who has already had a great career and is financially secure wants to move on to the next phase of his life – loving a good woman – how does that make him weak?” Zoe could tell that Jody had thought a lot about this.

“It doesn’t, and realistically, I know that. I mean I’ve been in the league for fifteen years. I’ve had a great run, and I’m getting too old to be an effective enforcer with all these new, strong kids coming up in the league.” Jody laughed. “And hell, I don’t want to get shown up in every fight. Sometimes I think I should just quit while I’m ahead. I’m starting to lose fights here and there. I don’t want to be that old guy that gets his ass handed to him by some twenty-five year old kid night after night.”

Zoe shook her head. “Well, for what it’s worth, it sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I think you’ve got your head on straight here, Jody. At the risk of sounding condescending, I’m proud of you. It takes a big man to address issues that he’s not comfortable with. I think you already know what you do or don’t want to do. My advice is to listen to your gut. And I’m always here if you need to talk or vent or anything else.”

Jody stood up and walked around Zoe’s desk to give her a hug. “I’m sure this isn’t proper protocol either, but let’s face it, you’re Lace’s best friend, so you’re kind of like a sister to me. Thanks for listening to me, Zoe. It felt good to voice that out loud. I’m not going to say anything to Lace yet, though. I want to think it through some more.”

“You do that. It’s a big decision.” Zoe walked him out to the door, and they said their goodbyes. She had high hopes for Jody. He was thinking things through carefully, and she was sure he would make the best decision for himself.

Jody’s first game back wound up being a week before Thanksgiving. He stayed out a bit longer than expected, just to err on the side of caution. His headaches hadn’t gone away until three days earlier. Finally, he was cleared to play.

They were playing Chicago, who was at the top of their game. Chicago was currently in first place in the Western Conference, with the Scorpions in second. Chicago didn’t have a true heavyweight, who Jody would need to go up against, but the Scorpions had suffered a few injuries, and Jody was in the lineup.

Vlad was the starting goalie. He’d been in a bit of a slump for the past week. Two games ago, he was pulled in the second period. He was so pissed at himself that he broke his stick over the crossbar of the net before he skated off the ice.

Amid pats on the back as he took his seat near the bench, Vlad threw his glove down the chute toward the locker room. The trainer worked his way over to him. “You okay, Bejsiuk? Looked a little stiff out there. Anything bothering you?”

“No, I’m fine. Just having a bad run.”

“You sure you don’t want me to look …”

“I said I’m fine.” Vlad knew he was being an asshole, but there it was. He just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his own self-pity for his awful performance in the net lately.

“Well, you know where to find me.” Bill made his way back onto the bench to be available if anyone needed him.

Jody found the back of the net, late in the third, scoring the game-winning goal. He was on cloud nine. In his fifteen years of playing in the NHL, he’d only scored twenty-five goals. His first two months of the season with the Scorpions, and he’d already scored two. Being an enforcer, he didn’t see a lot of ice time, so it was especially gratifying to contribute a goal to help win the game.

Back in the locker room, Jody was getting high fives all around. Vlad, though, didn’t even offer congratulations. “Vlad, what’s up, man?”

“Look. I’m happy for you. You got a goal, great. I’m not fit company tonight, so just leave me be, okay?” Vlad slapped Jody on the back and left the locker room. On the way out, the coach stopped him.

“Vlad, it’s obvious that you’re dealing with something that you’re not letting us in on. You need to tell us what’s going on. Your behavior affects the entire team. Set up an appointment with Dr. Millis for tomorrow and then come talk to me.”

“Thanks for the concern Coach, but I don’t need to talk to her. I’ll be fine next game.” Seeing Zoe certainly wasn’t going to help him.

“It wasn’t a request, Bejsiuk. You’re benched until you figure out what’s going on in your head, or you decide to let us in on it. Make the appointment and see me after.” Sometimes the coach had to play hardball with these guys. Every single one of them thought they could do everything on their own. And goalies … well, goalies were in a class of their own.

“Great, fine. I’ll call her tonight.”

Vlad saw Zoe the next day. He was only there for about twenty minutes. When he stormed out of her office and slammed the door on his way out, Lacey jumped up and walked into Zoe’s office.

“Everything okay?”

“No. And I wish I could talk to you about it, but I can’t.” That was probably one of the hardest parts of her job. Lacey was her best friend. Vlad wasn’t just another patient. She wished she could talk to Lacey about what he had told her. “Do you have plans with Jody or do you think we could go get some drinks?”

“Sure I’d love to do that. We should go now. Since it’s Saturday, everything will be getting packed soon. Let’s beat the crowds. Just give me a sec to change, okay?” Lacey ran upstairs to text Jody. They actually did have plans but nothing that couldn’t be done some other night.

Lacey: Hey babe. Bad news. Can’t make it tonight. Zoe needs me. Vlad drama.

Jody: I’ll miss you. Hope everything is okay. Vlad’s been acting like an asshole lately. What’s his deal?

Lacey: No idea. Zoe can’t talk about it. He was here for an actual appointment.

Jody: That’s got to be hard for her. Not to be able to talk to you about it.

Lacey: Yup, she asked me to go get dinner and drinks. I’ll call you tomorrow.

Jody: Okay Lace. I love you, Angel.

Lacey: :) :) I love you. Xoxo

Lacey ran back downstairs, and the girls left for their night on the town. Zoe got trashed, and Lacey made sure she didn’t go home with some random guy. Zoe was going to have one hell of a rough Sunday.

Lacey’s mother called her late on Sunday afternoon. She was at Jody’s when she got the call, along with Zoe and Izzy. Lacey’s parents and Jody’s mother and sister were all going to be in San Diego for Thanksgiving.