Baden (Pittsburgh Titans 1)

Before I get out of my rental, I lean back against the headrest and think about my lunch with Sophie. The time went by so fast, and I was sincerely disappointed to leave. Sure, a lot of my motivation in inviting her to lunch was to help her push past her fear-driven boundaries, but by the time I had to go, I wasn’t interested in just our bond born of shared trauma. I found her to be more charming, witty, and kind than I thought possible. She’s like the girl next door who happens to be gorgeous too.

I’m definitely thinking about her differently, and I sigh because I shouldn’t be thinking about her at all right now. I have a job to do.

I put on my coaching hat and exit the vehicle.

The rink has three levels of stadium rows rising upward and outward in a typical oblong bowl fashion. On one side, you’ll find the locker rooms and exercise facilities. On the other side are the coaches’ offices and media room to watch practice and game film. Everything is built to luxurious standards, an homage by a grateful Norcross family to a driven, hardworking team over the decades. The Titans have numerous championships to their name, and when Norcross Bank Arena was built, they were given the best of everything in appreciation.

It’s weird having an office. I want to head to the locker room on the other side of the building. I should be in there, not in an office with plush carpeting, built-in shelves, and high-end furniture.

This is going to take some getting used to.

I walk into my office and look at the blank walls and shelves. A laptop sits on the desk, provided by the organization. I guess I can bring some of my awards and put them on the shelves. A few photos, maybe.

Chuckling, I move around my desk. I know I’ll never bring a damn thing in here because I don’t care what this office looks like. My new job is going to be working with the goalies, and this place is just a spot to sit on occasion.

I glance at my watch and settle into the wheeled leather chair. Drake should be arriving in about an hour. I offered to pick him up from the airport, but he insisted on taking an Uber. I have a feeling he’s sending a clear message that he’s an island right now, and he’s not accepting anything from this team. He’s suspicious and guarded, and he has every right to be. This league was not kind to him when the Wolves blackballed him. Not one team—including the Titans—showed a lick of interest in him, despite the fact he’s an amazing goalie.

Not many are privy to what really happened with Drake. They only see what the media reports and pass judgment based on that. But Drake had my ear when the world went to shit, and I was one of the few who fully supported him. The rumor passed along the grapevine was that the Wolves’ GM had been looking at a young draft prospect who he wanted in the primary goalie slot, and he knew Drake would never accept the job as a backup. But deals were being made, and the GM was to trade a dead-weight forward on the third line in exchange for a solid backup goalie from another team.

With those ducks in a row, the GM and the team owner released Drake because of the horrible allegations his bitch of an ex-wife had made against him.

Drake and I have stayed in close contact since I left the Wolves in the expansion draft for Arizona. He was the primary goalie there, and I was the backup, but we had a tight bond. He even came to visit me in the hospital after the attack.

So when I called him yesterday after picking up the rental car but before visiting Sophie, I fully expected him to hang up on me once I made my pitch. Although we’re good friends, he’s so bitter against the league, I knew I would be the enemy in my new capacity as a coach with the Titans.

To my surprise, Drake listened, not necessarily with interest but at least with polite curiosity. He made no mention of what happened with his former team or that he’s been persona non grata with the league. I didn’t waste my breath assuring him that nobody would remember those things, because it was sure to be big news if he came on board. All that shit will be dredged up again, and we both know it.

Drake wasn’t even offended when I explained that the offer was merely an offer to join the team but that the starting goalie position would be determined via tryout between him and two other prospects. I mean, in my opinion, he’s going to get the nod because he’s that good.