Jake:No, yes, yes, and yes.
Marcus:I'M SO PROUD
Marcus:See you at practice. Prepare to be interrogated by the entire team because I'm telling everyone.
Jake:Please don't.
Marcus:Too late. Already texting the group chat.
Jake's phone immediately exploded with notifications as the team group chat came to life.
Owen:COACH JAKE HAD A DATE???
Ryan:This is beautiful. True love conquers all.
Dmitri:good job Reaper
Jake smiled and put his phone away. Let them talk. For once, he didn't mind being the center of attention.
He had coffee, made himself breakfast (eggs that only burned slightly), and got ready for practice. When he walked to the rinkat 6:30 AM, the sky was just starting to lighten, casting Timber Falls in soft pink and purple hues.
The Bread Basket's lights were on. Through the window, Jake could see Lucy moving around the kitchen, already deep into her morning routine.
She looked up as he passed and waved. He waved back.
Three years of Wednesday mornings, and this was the first time they'd acknowledged each other outside the bakery.
It felt like everything and nothing had changed.
Jake got to the rink and found the team already there, all of them grinning at him like idiots.
"So," Marcus said. "Tell us everything."
"There's nothing to tell."
"You cooked her dinner. In your apartment. And she STAYED, according to the very loud footsteps I heard going down your stairs at 4:30 this morning."
"You're creepy."
"I'm invested in your happiness. There's a difference."
Practice was good despite the relentless teasing. Tommy put Jake through his paces—having him run plays while explaining defensive strategy, teaching him how to read the game from a coaching perspective instead of a player's.
It was hard but exhilarating. Like learning hockey all over again but from a different angle.
After practice, Tommy pulled Jake aside.
"You look different."
"Different how?"
"Happy. Present. Like you're finally playing for the love of it instead of trying to prove something."
"Maybe I am."
"Good. That's the Jake I remember from when you were a kid. The one who showed up to every practice early because you loved being on the ice." Tommy clapped him on the shoulder. "Welcome back."
Jake showered and changed, then checked his phone. A text from Lucy.
