Everett moves around the ice with such ease, and it’s clear every child there looks up to him. The four practicing keep looking in his direction for approval, and the others watch his every move. He’s incredible with the kids, and my heart swells as I watch him.
The girl catches the puck as it passes by her, ending the game, and Everett claps his hands. “Good job,” he calls, blowing his whistle again. “Alright, that’s practice. Everyone help pick up the equipment.”
The team does as they’re told, and when everything is put away, they all meet him in the middle of the ice.
Huddled around Everett and Joe, each one puts a small hand outward. “Polar bears on three,” Everett shouts. “One, two, three.”
“Polar bears!” they all yell together, breaking away toward the entrance to the ice where their parents wait for them.
I wait patiently for Everett to finish gathering his things, and I can’t take my eyes off of him. He greets a few of the parents as he steps off the ice and walks over to a bench. Sitting, he begins to change his shoes, and I walk over to meet him.
His whole face lights up, and his eyes seem to twinkle when he sees me. “Hey, Sugar.”
“You looked good out there.”
“You were watching me?”
“Not for very long.”
He stands then bends down, kissing me.
“You hungry?” he asks.
“Starving and a little drunk,” I say as the effects of the wine swirl around my head.
“You had fun withthe girls then?”
“I did.”
He throws me a reassuring smile as he stands, swinging his bag over his shoulder and taking my hand.
We begin to walk back down the street toward the house. The sun has dropped even lower in the sky, and a dusting of snow falls around us. The streetlights are casting a soft glow on the snow beneath. It’s quiet, with most of the people dispersing to other ends of town away from the main square. The cool air burns my nose, filling it with the scent of fresh snow.
We walk in silence for a while before I hear him clear his throat.
“Tonight was strange,” he says as we pass by The Chocolate Bar.
“What do you mean?”
“Coaching felt natural, like I’ve done it forever, and Joe kept talking to me like he was one of my oldest friends.”
“My night was similar.”
“Yeah?”
“It was weird. I felt more included in that group of women, who should be strangers, than I’ve ever felt with anyone else. I don’t have a friend group like that back home, and it was nice to pretend like it did.”
“Does it make you want to stay?” he asks.
“God, no,” I say, shaking my head. “My family is in New York, and so is my career. It was just nice for tonight, that’s all.”
Everett hums to himself. He stops walking and pulls me into him, his mouth finding mine.
“What was that for?” I ask, pulling away slightly.
He shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you since you walked away earlier, and I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Pushing up on my toes, my lips find him again. He kisses me hard as the snow falls around us, and I allow myself to dream about what a life with Everett in New York could be like.
