Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey 5)

“So, uh, I know this is probably not the best time to bring this up,” Coach says beside me.

“What’s that?” I don’t take my eyes off the ice as Buffalo wins the next face-off.

“It turns out when you’re a multiple-time Frozen Four winning coach, you basically have your choice on schools you want to work at.”

I slowly turn toward him. “What are you saying?”

“Canisius in Buffalo offered me a position, and I’m taking it to be closer to Kole and Asher.”

“You’re leaving CU?”

“Yep.”

Jasper grasps my hand. “Who’s taking over head coach position at Colchester?”

Coach Hogan is the best boss I could ask for. I don’t want to think about having to coach under someone else’s regime.

“That’s what I wasn’t sure if I should bring up here or not.” He looks me dead in the eyes as he says, “I want you to take over.”

“M-me?” I croak. “Do you think I’m ready?”

Coach smiles. “I look forward to playing against your guys in the Frozen Four one day.”

“Oh, bring it.”

Coach Hogan shakes my hand. “And don’t worry about your boy. You know Kole’s mom will fuss over Asher as much as she fusses over Kole.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. For giving me a job, watching out for Asher, for just … everything.”

“You earned it, Head Coach Dalton.”

Suddenly, what’s happening out on the ice doesn’t matter. Because in this box, with Jasper next to me, my dream job being handed to me on a platter, I have everything I could ever want.

Jasper wraps his arm around me. “Head Coach Dalton has a ring to it.”

I smile at him. “Professor Dalton is more impressive.”

Jasper’s left hand runs up my chest, his wedding band shining under the lights. “Together, we’ll be running that school someday.”

“Ooh, Dean Jasper Dalton. Nice. Though, no, I don’t want to know what you’d do with the hockey budget if given free rein.”

“The math department does need a desperate upgrade.”

I lean in and whisper in his ear, “What do I have to do to get some funding, Dean Dalton? I’m willing to do annnnything.”

“Damn it, West!” He pulls away. “Not here.”

I can’t help laughing. “Later, then.”

“For the rest of our lives?”

“That’s what our vows said, right?”

“Yep. You’re stuck with me for life.”

I press my lips to his. “That’s a life sentence worth living.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just compare our marriage to a prison sentence.”

“A prison sentence of loooove.”

Jasper shakes his head at me. You’d think after five years he’d be used to my shit by now, but apparently it’s going to take his whole lifetime to do it.

That’s okay with me.