She knew he was saying it jokingly from the crinkle in his gaze, but Melanie was annoyed, especially when Abi grinned at the mention of her favorite student. Instead of correcting him on the title he had given Noah for her, she just shook her head.
"My friend dragged me to the game," Melanie said, bringing Coach Benson's attention to Abigail, who tossed Coach Benson her signature smile. "This was the friend I was telling you about. She's the fanatic."
"Thank you so much for the tickets. I'm in hockey heaven now," Abi exclaimed. Coach Benson laughed boisterously, taking a step closer into their personal space.
"Don't thank me, thank Melanie here. She's the reason Noah is out on the ice instead of on the bench." He turned to face Melanie again. "Thank you for everything."
Melanie tucked her hair behind her ear, embarrassed by the unnecessary praise. He spoke like she was out on the ice with the hockey team to help them win the game. She only helped a student out, nothing more.
"No thanks are necessary."
"Don't be silly. All thanks are necessary for you. I had my star player out there on the ice, and we won the game. And now, I really hope you'll allow me the chance to thank you properly with dinner."
"Uh, I'm not sure…" Melanie started racking her brain for the perfect excuse to get out of the situation.
"The night is young and going good. Everyone is feeling good, and there's a great restaurant on fifth avenue. I think it will be a great time to show you my appreciation."
And what type of appreciation was that? Melanie had a feeling that she would be the food Coach Benson would eat. There wasn't anything wrong with Coach Benson. He had a few years on her, but stuff like that didn't bother her. But what did bother her was dating someone in her field. He also wasn't really her type; the guy walking around screaming every day, obsessed with sports and constantly walking around in a jogging suit because it was the only thing in his closet, wasn't her type at all. So far, every time Melanie saw Coach Benson, he was wearing a damn jogging suit. Did he own anything else?
"I don't know—"
"Mel!"
Before Melanie could register what was happening, she was smothered into a pair of strong arms. When she took in the familiar intoxicating scent, warm and vanilla, she knew it was Noah. She hadn't realized he was this strong. The feel of his muscles wrapped around her was good, and though she had a feeling something about this was inappropriate, she hugged him back, feeling his heart beat against her chest, more than likely, still running off the adrenaline and excitement he had from earlier.
Melanie couldn't blame him. Noah was a beast on the ice and had done a great job. She could see why so many people loved him and believed he could go pro. He was something special.
Noah squeezed her tight before he let go, and when she looked at his face, she was assaulted with the sight of a bright smile and deep dimples that offset her own. He was very happy, and it made her happy to see him that way.
"I didn't think you were coming," he said, looking only at her, not bothering to acknowledge his coach or Abigail.
"Abi dragged me here," Melanie said. "Abi, this is Noah, my student," she said pointedly. "Noah, this Abigail, my best friend."
"So, this is the infamous Abigail," Noah said, smiling.
Abigail's eyes widened. "She talks about me? I hope it's good things."
"It's great. She tells me you're a hockey fan. At least you have taste, unlike her."
Melanie rolled her eyes at the subtle jab, not bothering to get on him about it. She couldn't necessarily say anymore that hockey was utterly boring. It still wasn't as good as basketball, though.
"I'm a big fan of yours. You're so great out there on the ice. I tell Mel all the time that..." She dropped her voice to a whisper and said something to Noah that Melanie couldn't hear.
"Abi," Melanie exclaimed, annoyed that she couldn't hear what she was telling him, and annoyed that she knew Abi wouldn't tell her at all. And from the dents that appeared in Noah's cheeks, it definitely wasn't something good.
"Thanks for letting me know," Noah told Abigail.
Letting him know what? That's it. She was definitely getting a new best friend from now on.
Some people passing by tossed praises at Noah, hyping him up, and Noah ate it all up with smiles and boisterous lines about how he would dominate in the next game as well. Once he finished, he turned his attention back on her again, a glint in his eyes that made her stomach knot up with nerves. There was definitely something in the air tonight. She felt hot.
"I won, Mel. We need to celebrate tonight," Noah told her.
Melanie wasn't quite sure why Noah wanted to celebrate this win with her and not with his friends or teammates. Yeah, sometimes they made their bets that would turn into lunches and dinners, but this definitely wasn't a bet. Melanie was going to tell him to hang out with his friends or celebrate with his teammates, but then Coach Benson spoke. She had almost forgotten he was there.
"Can't happen, kid," Coach Benson said, and Melanie arched a brow. Why was he speaking on her behalf? "Professor Bryantis going out to dinner with me tonight."
Melanie felt Abigail pinch her, but she did not respond to it but instead stared at Coach Benson as if she were looking at an alien. When did she accept his offer? Again, why was he speaking on her behalf? And why did he say Professor Bryant like that? Wait. Was he telling Noah not to call her Mel?
