“She won’t leave me alone.” Mr. Mac wobbled again, laughing, but Lucy gripped his arm to steady him.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, Papa,” she teased.
“Don’t go soft on me now, Luce.”
I left them and skated back to the locker room to change out of my skates. As I walked toward my office, I noticed thelight on in Sullivan’s office. He was sitting at his desk, watching something on his laptop.
I paused in the doorway, smirking. “You shouldn’t be here.”
Without looking up, he responded, “Neither should you.” It was a joke we’d both embraced. For two people who weren’t the head coach, we were both oddly invested in our jobs.
“I’m not the one with a perfect wife at home, probably cursing the day she chose to marry a Cassidy brother.”
He scribbled something down in his notebook and finally glanced up at me. “She is perfect, isn’t she?”
“Whipped,” I teased.
“Proudly,” he said with a grin.
I couldn’t help but envy what he and Sam had. It hadn’t started easily—especially since she had dated his twin first—but now it was exactly what I’d always hoped for. Their relationship was filled with adoration, and it made me realize just how empty mine with Travis had been. I had once convinced myself it was love. Maybe it was, but there had never been that pure affection. I doubted Travis had ever smiled just at the thought of me.
Sullivan closed his laptop and stood up. “I probably should get home. You heading out?”
I nodded, though deep down, I wanted to skate some more. But if anyone understood how important family time was, it was someone who had none of their own.
He took my bike from me, and I let him—Sullivan had that old-school gentleman thing going for him. It was one reason we were friends. He was a good guy, and unlike most of the men I’d tried to be friends with over the years, he didn’t cross lines with me. He respected his wife too much for that.
“Rowan and I are working on some adjustments to his game for the road trip. I’ve been watching video of him testing them out to see what needs fine-tuning.”
“You’re a good coach.” I meant it. Compliments weren’t really my thing, especially the kind that didn’t feel real, but Sullivan knew I wasn’t just throwing out empty words.
“Yeah, well, I only have to keep Gonzo in line.” He paused, grinning. “You, on the other hand…”
Managing a team of hockey players was never easy, especially as a female coach, but I’d earned their respect over the years, even if it had taken time.
I shrugged. “I just yell a lot.”
A surprised laugh burst from him. “Want a ride?”
“Nah, I’m good.” We stopped by his car, and he handed my bike back to me. “Oh, before I forget, Griff wants you to talk to Ryder about cutting down on the dancing.”
A sigh slipped from me. I had a feeling this was coming. “Isn’t he your brother or something?”
“Twin, actually.” Sullivan grinned, knowing full well that unless they were talking, it was almost impossible to tell them apart.
“Oh, right.” I shook my head. “And you can’t talk to him because…”
“I’m just the lowly goaltending coach.” He gave me a playful pat on the shoulder. “You get the pleasure of his wrath, not me.”
Ryder could be… difficult. He wasn’t a jerk like some of the guys, but he was a quiet leader, the kind who kept his thoughts to himself. Unlike his best friend, Teddy, who wore his emotions on his sleeve.
“Fine. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” Even though I didn’t fully agree with Griff’s call about the dancing, it was my job to follow through on his requests.
Without another word, I hopped on my bike and pedaled toward home. The streets were buzzing with activity tonight, the restaurants spilling with people, the glow of streetlights washing out the stars above. There were times I hated the city for that—the way it felt like the night was smothered under artificial lights—but other times, it felt right, like the city belonged to me, and I wasn’t alone in it.
CHAPTER SIX
TEDDY
