“So yeah, y’all are in good hands and I’m done. See you guys on the flip side and hopefully in the NHL.”
With that, Coach walks toward the exit and we all tap our sticks to the ice. Coming to each of us, he taps us on the head and wishes us luck in a very fatherly way. He has been the only father figure some of us have ever had. He’s coached my family since we were kids. It’s sad to see him go.
When he comes to me, he hugs me tightly and says, “You go into the NHL, and I’ll scoop you up, got it?”
I grin as I back away and nod my head. “Yes, sir.”
“Good, now help this schmuck coach and make sure we don’t lose,” he says, tapping me on the head one last time. “And keep your boneheaded brother in line.”
Jace grins as we both nod. “Yes, sir.”
Sending me one last grin, Coach heads off the ice just as Coach Moore blows the whistle.
“He looks familiar. Do we know him?” Jace whispers to me, but I shake my head.
“Don’t think so,” I say with a shrug, but then I do start to look at him and maybe he does.
Where though?
“Maybe that’s the coach’s son? That’s the drama behind him?” Jace asks, and again I’m shrugging.
“I have no clue, but if I get in trouble because you keep talking to me, I’m gonna stuff your balls down your throat,” I warn in a whisper, causing him to glare as he presses his lips together.
“Okay, boys, as Coach Moss said, I know my hockey,” Coach Moore says, his voice booming and filling the rink. “I don’t fuck around. I win,” he says, letting that sink in and all of us start to nod. “I have studied all of your files. I know you by name; I know your game. I’ve watched tapes, and I can promise you, I know you. I’m ready to watch what you can do in front of my face, but more than that, I’m ready to see you impress me, like I know all of you want to do.”
Nodding, I meet his gaze and he grins.
Clearing his throat, he says, “But first, we need to address the elephant in the room.”
Elephant? What’s he talking about?
Then the dude who was standing by the boards is skating toward him and stops beside him, still not looking up.
“Is that his kid, you think?” Frayer whispers to me, but I shake my head.
“I have no clue.”
Leaning against his stick, Coach Moore doesn’t even look at the guy beside him as he looks at all of us. He then says, “My daughter has played since she was old enough to skate. She did that before she walked, by the way.”
“Oh fuck,” is all I can say.
“What?” Jace whispers as Frayer looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
But I can’t move.
“She has won more medals and cups than I know I have, and than most of you, since I’ve had a look at all of your files. The only person in this room who has more hardware than she does is Jayden Sinclair.”
My teammates all reach over, tapping me, but my eyes are trained on the person standing by coach.
Coach nods his head at me as he continues. “I know you are going for captain, eh?”
Oh, fuck me.
Clearing my throat, I nod, trying to find my voice. Finally, I say, “Yes, sir.”
“So is she,” he says, cocking his head to the person beside him.
The room falls silent, confused, but not me. I know exactly who that is, but still when she looks up, my jaw goes slack. She sucks in a deep breath, her shoulders moving with each inhale as she looks everywhere but at me. She then pulls her cage up before taking her helmet completely off and shaking her hair out, the long, blondish brown strands falling along her shoulders. Her lips are painted the bright red I’ve been dreaming about for months, and when her eyes settle on mine, I can’t breathe.