“Have you seen Andre’s tux?” I ask.
Oli looks at me through the mirror as I ask.
“No. I told him to pick whatever color he wants. It doesn’t matter anyway. It’ll be in shreds by the end of the night.” He grins like a cat. “Vanessa won’t even tell me. She is a steel trap.”
My phone rings in my pocket and I pull it out, seeing my agent. “One second. I have to take this.”
I step out of the dressing room to answer the call. “Hey.”
“Hey, I’m just checking in after your call. I know you’rebusy right now with Oli’s wedding, but do you have a moment?”
“Yeah, shoot.”
“Colton talked to me the other day. Liberty State needs a new hockey coach. His brother goes there. I remembered our talk and called the head of the sports department. We talked for a bit. They’re looking for a head hockey coach for the next school year.”
My agent is also Colton’s agent. Landon might have said something to him about it. Still, I’m surprised. Coaching was just a passing thought. “Really? Wait, where is Liberty State?”
“New York. Upstate, about an hour and a half from Albany.”
New York? “That’s all the way across the country.”
“They were very interested in having a retired pro hockey player coach at their college. I won’t lie, though. The pay is shit compared to what you’re used to, but?—”
“I don’t care about that.”
He chuckles. “I knew you’d say that. I think you should consider it. The guys have had a bit of a losing streak, and they’re looking for the right leadership to pull them out of a rut. They have a new captain, new batch of players, and they’re hungry.”
I’m not sure. All the way across the country. “That’s a big move.”
“I know it is. That’s why I’m calling you now, to give you some time.”
“How much time?”
“Two weeks.” Not much time at all. “I need a definite answer. You’re their pick, but if you don’t want it, they’ll have to start looking.”
It’s a huge move. Then there’s my sister and niece. My friends. My team. And Felix. “I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know.”
“Take the two weeks. I told them you’re busy with a wedding right now. Just let me know when you decide so they can formally start looking.”
“I will.”
“I know it’s not the big leagues, but this could be big for them. Just give it a thought, Grey.”
“I will.” I hang up, my mind racing. I have so much to consider and think about. For those who can’t do, teach. Landon was right, something I’ll never say out loud. I can coach because I can do. I know how it feels to want it desperately. Maybe I can make a difference.
I think back to the rink with those kids. Watching that boy score his goal. How happy he was when he finally got it. I’ll be teaching kids through milestones, helping them become the athletes I know they can be. The more I think about it, the more I’m excited for this opportunity.
It’s in New York, though.
I think about Felix and his ex. Maybe this could be a fresh start for him also. Maybe this is the break we need. I know he’ll have to get divorced. That’s something we can think about later. Some distance might be great for us.
I will miss the hell out of my niece, but like everything else, shit is changing. When she was little, before Landon, I tried so hard to fill a role that was left wide open by her birth father. I don’t need to do that anymore, and the shift into a lesser role has been hard. Landon has stepped up; he’s her father now.
They’re moving on. They’re a family.
Me? I’m tired of being alone.
The door opens, startling me. “Hey, everything okay?” Felix peeks his head out then shuts the door behind him, walking to me.
