“Coach Bergeron left the team.” Sax’s voice is urgent as he stands beside me in the locker room reading on his phone. “They’re bringing in somebody new. Today.”
I hear him talking, but my mind is miles away, thinking about last night with Dove. She scared the shit out of me sitting in the dark like that, near tears.
So much fear was in her eyes. I’ve never seen her that way. Dove Rhodes is one of the most determined, positive people I know, but not last night. Last night she was devastated, and all I could think was,Who do I need to kill?
Then she said the trees were dying.
She didn’t have to say any more. My mind went to our last afternoon together years ago, the way she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the top of the hill. I knew at that moment, she could drag me pretty much anywhere, and I’d go willingly.
If I could find someone who loved all this as much as I do…
“Hey.” Sax gives me a shove, holding his phone in my face. “New coach.”
I glance up, frowning. “What are you talking about? Where’s Coach B?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He left. Something about his family or his dad or something, and now we’ve got this new guy, Stellan Leek from Toronto. Starting now.”
“Stellan Leek?” I take the device from his hand. “Stellan Leek was on the All-Star team for the Leafs. He’s a badass.”
“Yeah, well, this badass is our new head coach.”
“Dang.” Excitement and intimidation mix in my chest.
I’ve never had a legendary player as a coach, but I’ve been around one. My uncle Jack was a high school football coach after being a legendary quarterback in Texas, and I remember how much he cared about his players.
Every summer, he took his time selecting the team, doing his best to be fair. He wanted all the players to succeed. He even went to bat for them more than once, defying state officials, school administration, even overbearing parents.
It gave me a real appreciation for a coach who understands what it’s like to be in our shoes.
“We’re at the halfway point.” I nod at the phone, handing it back to him. “He’ll take us all the way.”
“I hope you’re right.” Saxon’s mouth pulls down. “Sometimes these guys come in with a chip on their shoulders, like they have something to prove.”
“Nah.” I wave that away. “This guy’s already proven himself.”
Standing, I rub the ache out of my stomach. I love hockey. Playing in the league is all I’ve ever wanted to dosince I was a teenager. But now that Dove is here, I can’t help feeling like every day I’m here or out of town, is another day I missed with her.
It’s a silly thought. What am I going to do? Retire? Shit, no.
I huff a laugh at that thought, ready to head out of the locker room in all my gear, when Haddy meets me in the hall.
“You’re not returning my calls.” My cousin is dressed in a gray power suit, her dark hair smoothed back in a professional ponytail.
Haddy’s always been hot, but in this getup, she looks like a ball-buster as well. Very much like management.
“I don’t check my phone when I’m at practice.” I’m walking to the arena, and she’s right beside me, keeping pace in her stilettos.
“You’re the star of the Los Angeles Champions, Mav. I have to make sure you don’t miss your endorsement events.”
“When have I ever done that?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice is low. “I’ve just started keeping track of you.”
“Never. The answer is never.”
“So you’re all set for the photo shoot this afternoon?"
I stop in my tracks, eyes narrowed, and I study her. “What photo shoot?”
