Sent from my Android Smartphone
The inbox on my phone dings.
TO: Cecelia Carter
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 9:46:12 AM CST
FROM: Matthew Wakefield
Subject: RE: So this is awkward...
Smudged eyeliner.
MSW
Sent from my iPhone
Then, just as I’m about to get pissy and send him a tart reply, my inbox dings again.
TO: Cecelia Carter
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 9:48:45 AM CST
FROM: Matthew Wakefield
Subject: RE: RE: So this is awkward...
I bet that last message pissed you off, didn’t it? LOL. I think I have you all figured out by now – Are you an only child by any chance? One hundred buck says that you are. Oh wait – you already owe me one Benjamin, you probably can’t afford to pay me two.
MSW
Sent from my iPhone
TO: Matthew Wakefield
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 9:53:09 AM CST
FROM: Cecelia Carter
Subject: RE: RE: RE: So this is awkward…
Wow, you think you’re pretty clever, don’t you? Never mind, don’t answer that. Actually, smart ass, I am NOT an only child. I have a younger sister who’s going to be an incoming freshman at Nebraska (Go Cornhuskers!). So now the parents have one daughter working on her Masters and one just entering another Big 10. My dad’s pretty excited about that. PS: You’re never getting your money so you might as well give up. - C
Sent from my Android Smartphone
TO: Cecelia Carter
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 9:55:49 AM CST
FROM: Matthew Wakefield
Subject: WHOA
Holy shit, another actual paragraph. Don’t stop, you’re on a roll today. And I’m impressed – you’ve only been bitchy once today, which is a vast improvement from the other night at Rangers.
MSW
Sent from my iPhone
TO: Matthew Wakefield
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 9:58:04 AM CST
FROM: Cecelia Carter
Subject: Kudos to us both.
Yeah, and you’ve managed not to be a complete ass. Still an ass, of course, but maybe not so douchie… don’t you go changing my mind either. I’m a tough nut to crack. - C
Sent from my Android Smartphone
I am laying on my bed now, spread out on my back, phone propped in the air. I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but I have such a big grin on my face I have to bite my bottom lip to suppress a giggle.
TO: Cecelia Carter
DATE: September 16, 2014 at 10:01:12 AM CST
FROM: Matthew Wakefield
Subject: Tough nut?
Challenge accepted.
MSW
Sent from my iPhone
Oh shit.
CHAPTER 5
MATTHEW
“How do you stop from choking on the bullshit coming out of your mouth?”
– Weston McGrath
I watch the puck wiz by me through the glass, letting the whistle between my lips fall out of my mouth and hit the front of my sweatshirt with a soft bounce. Leaning against the short wooden wall of the rink, I prop my elbows and let my eyes roam the ice, impressed with what I see. From my vantage point on the bench, the young players skating laps in front of me are in top form today, each member transitioning from forward skating to backwards skating with ease.
I keep my eye trained on Elliot Nelson, an eighth grader with a lot of talent for both defense and offense, but who might be a little too passive aggressive to pull off a starting position in the center of the rink when the puck drops.
Weston skates circles around them all, his skates slicing the ice in fluid movements, shouting out critiques and encouragement. I hate to admit it, but he’s a damn good player and is turning into a damn good coach. He glances over at me and taps his wrist.
I nod and grab the whistle, raise it to my lips, and blow hard to emit a shrill shriek loud enough to garner everyone’s attention, forcing them to look over.
I take my forefinger and circle it through the air, my sign for “let’s wrap it up and bring it in.”
I’ll be honest: When Molly offered Weston and I up for this volunteer position - coaching at-risk middle school boys enrolled in the after school program where she works - at first I balked. Actually, Weston and I both did because we just had to be difficult assholes; you know, not thinking of anyone but ourselves… No way did we want to spend any more time with each other than we already had to: Shit, we see each other enough. Plus, didn’t I already mention that I’m stuck with him on any road trips I’m available to take?
Yeah. Exactly.
We’re selfish bastards.
But. After countless lectures from my sister (she made some pretty valid points) we both caved. Me because she had a point about giving back to the community that was so supportive of my hockey career, and Weston…
Well, he caved because he’s a goddamn pussy, but mostly because Molly threatened to cut him off - if you know what I mean…
Long story short: We’ve been coaching this group for a few weeks now – the Madison Lightening – and not to brag, but they’ve gotten pretty damn good.