“Thank you,” he sighed. “Let me get them all on the ice and get them warmed up. If you want, give them fifteen minutes and you can come and watch them.”
“That sounds great,” I said, as he left.
The door to his office was left open and I could hear the guys in the locker room. They were rowdy, crude and it made me miss my college days just a little. I waited twenty minutes until I made my way down to the rink. It was chaos as they warmed up and poor Coach Dalton looked stressed out. After a few minutes they all gathered around the coach, and I took that as my cue to come down. Coach Dalton looked over his shoulder as I skated onto the ice, stopping right next to him.
“Hey guys,” I said, smiling at them.
“Holy shit,” one of the players said, before too many of them started talking all at the same time.
Dalton blew his whistle..
“Yes, this is Webber who played for the Colorado Yetis,” he said. “He’s going to be practicing with us today.”
“Why would we want some washed-up player?”
“Parker,” Dalton snapped, as some of the other players ooohd.
“I might not be playing right now, but if you can make it past me three times and score in ten minutes, I’ll leave,” I said, standing to my full height.
Parker looked like a cocky shit who needed to be brought down a few notches.
He scoffed. “That’s too easy,” he said skating away.
Dalton looked at me with a concerned expression, but for once, I wasn’t worried. I knew kids like Parker had talent, but they rode on that too hard and not on discipline.
“Alright, Coach. You do the honors.” I gave him a puck skating in front of a goal.
“You sure about this?” He raised his brow.
“Definitely,” I grinned.
Parker and I stood in front of each other as Coach stood in between us. I smiled at Parker who only looked more annoyed. The moment the puck dropped everything ceased to exist. While Parker was really fucking talented, he was too emotional and by the third puck drop he was making rookie mistakes. When I scored the last goal, he glared at me, but gave me a nod.
“Alright, guys. Anyone else want a go?” I asked, watching everyone nod their heads. “Great, let's play some hockey.”
After Dalton blew the whistle for showers, I hadn’t felt this good in months and a part of me hoped this wasn’t the last time I would be on the ice.
21
jude
The Rodeo Circuit came through Monroe and if it had not been for Forest, I would have had no idea it was such a big thing. When he found out about it, he ranted about it until he got Sam and I to agree to go with him. The rodeo never appealed to me, but seeing all those men in tight jeans, leather and fringe, how the hell had I never seen the appeal?
“Next up, ‘Nash Yarbrough!’,” the announcer called.
“Oh man, this guy is amazing,” Forest said, looking towards where they had the riders. “He came out on the scene when I was working the rodeo, and he was damn good.”
“You worked the rodeo?” Sam asked. “Or did you ride?”
His voice grew husky, making me picture Forest riding Sam.
“Oh yes, please tell me you rode,” I said, putting my hand on Forest’s thigh.
“Would you like me to ride you, Princess?” His voice grew extra husky.
“Please, Daddy,” I groaned, leaning against his shoulder so no one would hear me.
“Goddammit guys, not here,” Sam snapped. “These wranglers are already snug. I don't need to give them a reason to be even tighter, but please ride one of us.”
