“You’re tensing as the puck comes near you. You need to stay relaxed.” I tell Jason.
Standing, he hits the puck back across the ice to Calvin.
“I don’t know why I keep doing it or where it even came from. I’ve never struggled with this before,” he mutters, frustration bleeding into his voice.
The kid is starting to feel the pressure. He knows my time is coming to an end, and he’s going to be the team’s main goalie. It can fuck with you if you let it.
“It’s fine. Just take a deep breath,” I tell him.
“If I keep playing like this, Coach is going to find a new goalie,” he mutters.
“Coach isn’t going to replace you, Jason. Trust me. We just need to work out these few kinks now before they become permanent. You got this,” I tell him.
“Okay, fuckers, your footwork was sloppy,” Kellan says.
Calvin scoffs. “Sloppy? Do you need your eyes checked, old man?”
Laughter rings out, making us look over.
Son of a bitch.
Brett is standing by the bench, hoodie on, and a sling across his chest.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I skate toward him with a smile.
“Thought I would come see what’s happening here. It’s been a minute since I stopped by,” he says as I come to a stop next to him.
“We’re practicing, Woods. So you need to get your ass out here and help or go,” Kellan teases.
Brett smirks and holds up his hand, showing off his skates. “You mean these old things?”
“Fuck yeah!” Calvin cheers.
“Can you play with a baby strapped to your chest?” I tease.
“I can, thank you very much. She comes to practice with me a couple times a week,” he says as he goes to sit down.
“No, hand her over,” I say, reaching out for the baby.
Brett sighs. “Get off the ice and take off your pads. I don’t think the sling will fit with all that bulk.”
I get off the ice and immediately start taking them off. Then I watch as he takes her out of the sling before handing her over to me.
“Hey, little girl, look how much you’ve grown,” I say quietly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him take off the baby sling before moving to me. As I hold his daughter, he straps her to my chest.
“You look ridiculous with your leg pads still on and a baby strapped to your chest,” he says once he’s finished.
“I think you said I look awesome wrong.”
He rolls his eyes and sits down to put on his skates.
“So what are you doing over here?” I ask as he laces up.
“Emery’s doing girl time with the girls.”
Just hearing him say it makes my heart race. I fucking love the fact that some of my favorite people are getting to know the woman I’m obsessed with. I should be scared of what Peyton might say, but I’m not. Grace will keep her in line. No, Lyla’s in good hands, and if anyone can convince Lyla that I’m worth the risk, it would be them.
