Chapter 4: Room 311

"Early skate, Cap?" Brody asked.

He did not take his eyes off Ty.

Lars stepped away from the boards without hurrying.

"Extra ice with Ingram," he said. "Captain's call."

"Since when does the captain run extra ice for Prince?"

"Since he's the fastest man on the roster and he can't backcheck."

Brody's grin slid back into place.

"Funny. I never noticed."

"That's because you watch the puck," Lars said. "Go warm up."

Brody went.

Ty's shoulders sagged as he picked up the cold coffee with a hand that was not quite steady.

Lars did not look at him again for three days.

Thursday night, the team bus pulled up outside a hotel in Bemidji.

Ty took his key card from the equipment manager.

Room 311.

The name on the list taped to the lobby wall read INGRAM / HOLMGREN.

Ty read it twice.

Behind him, Cullen Pratt slapped a hand on his shoulder. "Cap swapped me out. I'm with Hanratty now. Pray for me."

"I'll light a candle," Ty said.

Cullen laughed and shuffled off toward the elevator with his bag.

Ty stayed where he was for another second.

For two years he had slept alone on every road trip. He had never once thought about why.

Now he did, a little.

Then he went upstairs.

Room 311 had two double beds and a window over the parking lot.

Lars stood by the window with his jacket still on.

"Lock it," he said.

Ty shut the door and turned the deadbolt.

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