Chapter 315
Enzo
The ambient noise of the party surrounded me, conversations melding together into a soft hum. But as I held up my glass, ready to make my announcement, my mind started to wander to a time not too far back. I felt a lump forming in my throat, knowing how much this particular revelation would change things. For everyone.
...
A couple of months ago…
The cafe’s familiar bell chimed, announcing another customer’s arrival. My focus was solely on the steaming cup of coffee in front of me, and the textbook sprawled open with notes scattered everywhere.
But that focus wavered when a stranger approached, his sharp suit contrasting against the sea of college hoodies.
“Enzo?” The voice, firm and deliberate, pulled me out of my studies.
I glanced up, immediately wary. “Yeah?”
“Tim Malone.” He extended his hand. “Hockey recruiter. I caught your game last week. You’ve got some skills on the ice.”
I shook his hand, still processing the introduction. “Thanks. What can I do for you?”
He slid into the chair opposite me, his demeanor all business. “Your style of play, your leadership... It’s what my team needs. We’ve been struggling, and I believe someone like you can turn things around.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You want to recruit me?”
“Not as a player,” Tim corrected. “As a coach.”
I blinked, taken aback. “A coach? I’m still in college.”
“Enzo,” Tim leaned forward, his gaze intense, “this is a chance for you to use your skills off the ice. My team needs a mentor, someone who’s been there, played the game, knows the ins and outs. And after seeing you play and lead, I believe you’re that person.”
It was a lot to process. My whole life over the past several years had been about pursuing my degree and playing hockey. But coaching? It had never crossed my mind.
“How would this work?” I asked, intrigued.
Tim smiled. “I’m glad you asked,” he said. “In August, we would hope to see you come and stay in our town for six months while you train the team. After that, if you do as well as we think you will, I’ve got plenty of other jobs for you. Lots of other hockey teams around the country who need help from a pro like yourself. It’s a significant opportunity.”
I hesitated. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ve still got two semesters left before I finish my degree. I would have to drop out to do this.”
Tim nodded understandingly, but there was a gleam in his eye that spoke of determination.
“Just think about it,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity, and I can see how much passion you have for the sport. I’ll be looking forward to your response.”
...
“Enzo, you’ve been given a chance not many get. It’s a door opening just for you,” Nina said later that day.
“But I can’t leave my team,” I argued. “And what about my degree?”
“Since when do you care about your degree?” Nina asked. She came closer, her hands capturing mine. “And besides, sometimes, life throws us a curveball. And sometimes, that curveball is a blessing in disguise.”
We had gone back and forth, weighing the pros and cons. Nina, being the voice of reason she always was, made me see the bigger picture.
“You love the game, right?” she pressed.
I nodded. “Of course.”
“And mentoring young players, seeing them grow and succeed under your guidance, wouldn’t that make you happy?”
It was undeniable. The thought did excite me. But the decision wasn’t just about me. “What about us? I’d be away...”
Nina smiled gently. “We’ll figure it out. We always do. But I don’t want you to miss out on something that could bring you so much joy.”
Weeks slipped by after that initial conversation with Tim, but the proposal to become a coach hovered in my mind like a persistent fog. Every corner I turned in the university halls, every practice on the rink, every late-night study session, Tim’s offer loomed large. It was a tantalizing dream, dangled just out of reach, but with a string of uncertainties attached.
One evening, Nina and I took a walk along the university's old bridge, the water below reflecting the soft hues of sunset. The picturesque scene should’ve eased my mind, but instead, it felt like every step echoed the beat of my internal struggle.
“You’ve been distant lately,” Nina remarked, her fingers interlacing with mine, as if she was trying to physically pull me from my reverie.
“It’s this coaching thing,” I admitted, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “On one hand, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But on the other…” My voice trailed off, but the unspoken words hung heavily between us. The thought of being apart from Nina, even if just for a few months, was agonizing.
She sighed softly, turning to face me. “Enzo, remember when I took that internship in New York in January? We were apart for a whole month. It wasn’t easy, but we managed, right?”
I nodded slowly, memories of those lonely nights flooding back. “It was tough, Nina. And now it would be six times that amount of time.”
She paused, searching for the right words. “But wasn’t it worth it? The experience I gained, the growth I underwent? This is your New York, Enzo. You have a chance to shape young minds, share your passion, and make a real difference.”
Her words resonated deep within me, but the fear of regret was paralyzing. “What if I fail? What if I realize that coaching isn’t for me?”
She chuckled softly. “What if you fly? What if you discover a side of yourself you never knew existed? Life is full of ‘what ifs’, but you can’t let them dictate your path. Besides,” she added with a wink, “you’re Enzo Rivers. You have a way of turning challenges into gold.”
Despite her comforting words, doubts still clouded my judgment. We continued our walk in contemplative silence, each lost in our thoughts.
The next few days, sleep eluded me. I found solace in late-night skates on the rink, the cold air sharp against my face, and the ice providing a blank slate to etch my thoughts on.
One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, I found an old photo of a younger me, holding my first hockey stick. That memory jolted something in me. The sheer passion, the joy, the hunger to learn and excel; it all came rushing back.
I remembered my first coach, Mr. Matthews, and how he had shaped my early years. I owed so much of my success to him. Wasn’t this my chance to give back, to be someone’s Mr. Matthews?
The realization hit me with the force of a slapshot.
This was what I wanted. Not just a job, but a chance to impact lives, to share my love for the game, to build something from scratch. It was a challenge, yes, but one I was eager to take on.
And with Nina by my side, even in spirit, I felt fortified.
With that newfound clarity, I picked up my phone, my fingers trembling as I dialed Tim’s number. As it rang, I took a deep breath, drawing strength from the memory of that young boy with the hockey stick.
“Tim? It’s Enzo. I’m in.”
His voice, filled with relief and excitement, echoed my own emotions. “You won’t regret this, Enzo. Welcome aboard.”
...
Back in the present, the weight of the silence in the room was palpable as I took a deep breath, the memories of the past few months culminating in this very moment.
“Hey, everyone,” my voice was steady, but the fluttering in my stomach was undeniable. “First off, thank you all for being here tonight. It means the world to both Nina and me.” I looked around, meeting the eyes of my teammates and friends. “But there’s something I need to share…”
I paused, glancing at Nina for support. She gave me a reassuring nod, her hand squeezing mine.
“I’ve received an offer to coach a hockey team out of the area,” I started, noting the mixture of surprise and curiosity that spread across the faces before me. “After a lot of thought, and with Nina's unwavering support, I’ve decided to accept it.”
There were murmurs and exchanged glances, but I pressed on, feeling the need to explain myself.
“This decision wasn’t easy, and it’s one that I’ve been grappling with for months. But it’s an opportunity for me to mentor and help shape the next generation of players.” I paused, allowing the weight of my next words to sink in. “So, I’m stepping down as captain. For good.”
The room went utterly silent, the air thick with shock and surprise.
