Third call: Tommy.
"Morrison. What's up?"
"I'm turning down Nashville."
"Good."
Jake blinked. "Good? You're not going to try to talk me out of it?"
"Why would I? You've been miserable for three years waiting for a call that was never going to make you happy. Now you know that. That's growth."
"I want to talk to you about coaching. Really coaching. If you're serious about retiring—"
"I'm serious. My knees are shot and my wife wants to travel while we're still young enough to enjoy it. The Wolves need an assistant coach next season, head coach the season after when I'm done." Tommy paused. "Job's yours if you want it."
Jake felt his heart stutter. "Just like that?"
"Jake, I've been waiting for you to wake up and realize you're meant for this. You're a natural teacher. The kids love you. The team respects you. And you know hockey better than anyone I've coached in thirty years. This isn't charity—this is me giving the job to the person who deserves it."
"I don't know what to say."
"Say yes. Then show up to practice Monday ready to start learning the business side of coaching. The paperwork, the parents, the politics. It's not all fun and games."
"Yes. Absolutely yes."
"Good. Now go call that bakery owner and take her on a proper date. And Morrison?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm proud of you, kid. You made the hard choice. That takes guts."
After they hung up, Jake sat in his apartment for a long time, holding his phone, letting the reality sink in.
He'd done it. He'd turned down the NHL. He'd chosen Timber Falls. He'd chosen coaching. He'd chosen Lucy.
He'd chosen himself.
His phone buzzed with a text from Marcus.
Marcus:So? What'd you decide?
Jake:I'm staying.
Marcus:HELL YES
Marcus:Does Lucy know?
Jake:I'll tell her tomorrow night. We have a date.
Marcus:A DATE. An actual, official, non-muffin-related DATE?
Jake:Yeah.
Marcus:I'm going to cry. Character growth. It's beautiful.
Jake:You're ridiculous.
Marcus:I'm proud of you man. This is the right call.
