“November sucks, doesn’t it?” Mikal adjusts his suit jacket and grabs my whiteboard for me. “Everything is wet and dreary. The sun sets too early. Not a lot of redeeming qualities. Especially in Minnesota.”
“Could be February.” I gesture Riley’s way, giving him the okay to gather up the guys for our pregame talk. He’s still a part of this team even if he’s not wearing the jersey, and he’s slipped into the role of “extra assistant coach” well. “I’m making a lineup change before we submit tonight’s roster, by the way.”
“You are?” Mikal frowns. “Who’s getting the boot?”
“I’m replacing Mulligan on the first line with Everett. Figured we could mix things up. Everett’s passing has improved. His defense is some of the best on the team, and I need to reward the guy for working so hard.”
“I support that decision,” Parker Barnes, my other assistant coach, chimes in. “His effort has been great lately. First one to morning skate. Last one to leave. No harm in trying something new.”
“Listen up,” I say, breaking away to address the locker room. Everyone quiets down and looks my way. “We had a rough night last night with that loss at home, but the slate is clean this evening. The Loons are last in the league in points, so expect weak defense and fewer shots on goal. We want to focus on our efficiency. Making the extra pass to someone who has the open shot instead of trying to be the hero. Starting lineup is Sullivan, Richardson, Hayes, Maverick, Fitzpatrick, and Everett.”
Grant drops his stick and stares at me, mouth open. Ethan wraps him in a hug and shakes him, grinning wildly. I look over at Maverick and he nods, silent in his agreement with my decision.
“Ten minutes until showtime, boys. Do what you need to do to set yourselves up for success,” I say. Everyone turns their attention to their stalls and the last minute superstitions they like to go through, but Grant pops to his feet. He hurries my way, clutching his gloves tight to his chest. “What’s up, Everett?”
“Coach. Are you, ah, sure about this? Mulligan has more experience, and I?—”
“Experience doesn’t win games. Heart does, and you have a lot of heart.”
“Okay. Okay. Yeah.” He dips his chin, mumbling something to himself. “Thank you, um, for this opportunity. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” I say, and when he moves back to his stall and accepts another hug from Ethan and Maverick, I almost smile.
“Think you just made his year,” Mikal says. “Look how excited he is.”
“Let’s hope he delivers.” I fix my tie and turn for the small office my bag is in. “I need to grab my marker. I’ll see you out there in a few.”
I rifle through my backpack, finding my favorite dry erase marker. I slide it behind my ear, frowning when my phone rings. It’s buried under my stack of game notes on the Loons, and when I pull it out, I see that Kali is calling.
“Hey,” I say, answering quickly. “Everything okay? I only have a second before puck drop.”
“Brody Saunders,” she says. “When were you going to tell me that Hannah Everett isgorgeous?”
“Fucking hell, Kal. I thought this was an emergency.”
“I was picking up our daughter this afternoon and saw this stunning woman with golden hair spinning in the middle of the ice, and I realized it was Livvy’s coach.”
“How are you just realizing this? They have been working together for two weeks.”
Two weeks of seeing Liv and Hannah together on the ice. Two weeks of hearing them laugh and wondering what’s so funny. Two weeks of listening to Liv talk nonstop in the car about the new ways Hannah is challenging her, and two weeks of silky ribbons I want to tug out of Hannah’s hair and keep for myself.
“And I hadn’t met her before this afternoon. Now I understand why you were blushing when you mentioned her to Liv the first time.” I know Kali is smirking even though I can’t see her. “Because she’s hot.”
I unfasten the top button of my shirt, glad I’m hidden away from everyone else. The last thing I need is an audience for this conversation or something to be taken out of context.
“I didn’t hire her for her looks,” I say, keeping my voice low. “I hired her because she’s good at what she does.”
“And she’s also nice to look at.”
“I’m hanging up. I have a game to coach.”
“All I’m saying is Hannah seems fun. You could use some fun in your life.”
“Appreciate the insight. Can I help you with anything else?”
“No.” Kali laughs. It feels like she knows I’m hiding something, but I keep my mouth shut. “Have a good game, Brody.”
“Coach.” Mikal pops his head into the office when I hang up. “Waiting on you.”
