Once Brett is ready, we head out onto the ice.
Kellan whistles. “Damn, Wyatt, you trying to thirst trap? Pretty sure some women would go feral over seeing you dressed like that with a baby strapped to you.”
I roll my eyes as everyone laughs.
“Wait, let me take a picture. I’ll post it on the socials,” Jason teases.
“Get back in the net,” I tell him.
“Someone give me a stick so I can remind you kids on how this is done,” Brett says as he holds out his hand.
As Calvin gives him his stick, I move off to the side where I’m out of everyone’s way. Leaning against the boards, I look down at Alissa when she makes a cooing noise.
She’s so fucking cute.
The sounds of blades moving make me look up, and I watch as Brett skates confidently across the ice. He pulls back the stick and hits the puck, sending it right toward the net. Jason, at the last second, turns slightly, the puck going by him.
“Stay square, Pender. You got this,” I tell him.
My voice startles Alissa, and she makes a sound. Without thinking about it, my hand moves, and I begin to bounce as I pat her butt gently. Instantly she calms down.
I watch as Brett quietly begins to coach the guys, offering them all feedback.
“Your dad’s still got it,” I murmur to Alissa.
It’s nice to see my friend doing something he loves again after having an injury. It’s a shame he decided he doesn’t want to play professionally, but I get it. Besides, he’s an awesome coach, and the kids who have his guidance are lucky, even if they don’t realize it yet.
The longer Brett works with Jason, the better he becomes. It’s like he almost forgets to be nervous and becomes the hockey player we know he can be.
All too soon, they call it quits.
“See you at home?” Kellan asks as he skates by me.
“Yeah, I’ll meet you guys there,” I tell him.
I give Calvin and Jason a chin lift.
“You did good,” I tell them.
“You feeling okay? You aren’t the complimentary type,” Calvin asks.
“It’s because he has a baby strapped to his chest,” Jason teases, making me roll my eyes.
They head off the ice, and Brett chuckles as he skates toward me.
“They are a good group of guys,” he says as the door shuts behind them.
“They are.”
Brett smirks. “Still as chatty as ever.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, making him chuckle.
“So, on a scale of one to ten, how nervous are you right now that your girl is alone with them?” he asks.
“Maybe a three.” I shrug.
Brett’s eyebrows jump up. “That’s it? I figured you would be coming out of your skin about now.”
