Recalling what transpired after last Friday night’s hockey game, Mason fists his hand against his thigh. They’d won by a single goal, and Mason’s dad, Coach Hayes, had come down hard on all of them, pointing out mistakes that could have cost them the game. “I expect every one of you to think about what you did wrong. We got the win, but it wasn’t enough. You can and will destroy the next team at regionals.”

After Mason’s dad left the locker room, Jesse, Spencer, and a few other teammates spouted racial slurs about a Black player on their opposing team—a player with more skills, more moves than Jesse and Spencer combined. Mason stepped in and told them that they were way out of line and were better than that. When they didn’t stop, he told them to shut the hell up, that they were jealous of the dude, and to worry about their own play.

Jesse lifted his hand, sarcastically saluted Mason, and said, “Aye, aye, captain,” getting laughs from some of the guys. Spencer repeated it, then knocked his shoulder into Mason’s. Things escalated from there. They trashed Mason, taunted him, told him he was gay like Daniel Riggs.

Thinking about it now, Mason still gets pissed off. He doesn’t care about what his teammates say about him—he can deal with it. But when they make racist comments or talk smack about Daniel for being gay, it irritates him. It’s cruel. Why do they have to be that way?

Mason glances at Daniel. He’s hunched over, looking at his phone under his desk. Whatever is on the screen has his full attention. Daniel keeps to himself, never bothers anyone.

Although they’ve gone to the same school since kindergarten, Mason has never been friends with him, mainly because Daniel has never been interested in hockey. Mason got his first pair of skates at two and started youth hockey at four. So did Spencer, Jesse, and Reg, and they’ve been friends ever since. For Mason, being on the ice is as necessary as breathing air. When his team voted him captain, Mason had earned it.

Still, Jesse, Spencer, and some of the other guys thrive on giving Mason hell. Last Friday night, they went too far. Mason lost it and threw Jesse into a locker. The fight ended when their teammates pulled them apart.

Clenching his teeth, Mason replays his dad’s reaction. Coach Hayes called him into his office, ordered him to close the door. He pointed to the cold metal chair. The second Mason sat, his dad lit into him. “You’re going to apologize to the team. I won’t tolerate that behavior from anyone. Not the team captain, and certainly not my son.”