Jake
After a day off for travel and then a game in Canada, we’re finally on our way home for some much needed rest before the holidays and the next push of games.
Even though we were able to come back from a rocky start, our last game didn’t end how we would’ve liked, with a three to two loss on us. I think I speak for the whole team when I say we’re ready to get off this plane and have a reset before we continue on.
“I can’t wait till I’m home and can see my wife and kids. Man, I miss them so much.” Connor beams next to me. His family knows the routine of his away games, but with his wife’s pregnancy complication, he’s eager to get home to them.
The seatbelt light flashes and the flight attendant comes over the PA to tell us we’re about to touch down. There’s lots of rustling behind me as everyone starts to wake up as we prepare to land.
“How is Tasha doing? How is everything with her and the baby?”
“It’s still a waiting game at this point. We have another check up later this week, so we’ll know more then, but I’m trying to keep an open mind and be positive.” He closes his eyes, and I can see the tired stress lines starting to form.
Clapping him on the shoulder, I give him a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, I wish I could promise that it’ll all be okay, but we both know I can’t. She has you with her, and you’ll do everything you can to help her. Just know if you need anything I’m always just a phone call or text away.”
“Thanks, Jake. It means a lot to have you in my life.” He smiles at me, and I return one of my own, the feeling of family and peace washing over me.
It’s taken me a long time to finally feel like I can be myself with others, put myself out there, but Connor’s always been someone that just gets me, even when I was so closed off. Outside of the twins, he’s been the only teammate that I’ve let see my full self, and to know that he appreciates me just as much as I appreciate him means everything to me.
After a few more minutes, the plane touches down and it’s a jumble of people getting up, duffles being grabbed and everyone disembarking off the plane onto the awaiting buses.
It’s about a thirty minute drive from the airport to the arena with traffic, so I settle into my seat, watching the view change around me.
As we make it to the arena, we once again grab our bags and shuffle off the buses, walking inside to gather in the locker room so Coach can talk to us before he lets us go for our official break.
“Listen up,” Coach says as he walks into the locker room. “I know this week didn’t go as planned. But what Isaid before Boston still stands. I’m proud of you boys for showing up each and every day.” He looks around at all of us and nods, his eyes conveying everything he’s saying. “While it sucks that we didn’t win every game and had some big upsets, I know that each of you went out and played your best games. So use this weekend off to relax, regroup and hopefully we can come back stronger.”
Connor chooses that moment to also stand up and address the group as Coach walks off to the side of the room. “Coach is right. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the Blaze, and I can’t imagine playing with another team this season. So go rest, recharge, and come back on Tuesday with a fire under your asses.”
The whole team shouts in unison and then everyone’s gathering their stuff, making their way home. I scan the room for Kailyn, seeing her talking with Coach and make my way over to them.
“So, I hear you both would like to talk to Coach Johnson and I?” he asks, trying and failing to hide a smirk on his face.
“Yes, sir. I was also wondering if Emilia and Hannah could join us, too? We have a couple things we’d like to discuss with you both.” She gestures to the girls behind her who nod along.
I can see the way Coach’s shoulders bunch up with tension as he looks at Coach Johnson, before they both nod and turn back to us.
“Alright, follow us to my office.” We take off down the hall and to his office. Once we walk through the doors, he gestures to the chairs in front of his desk. “Please sit.”
Kailyn and I sit on one side while Emilia and Hannah pull up two more seats on the opposite side. Coach Davenportsits in the seat behind his desk while Coach Johnson remains standing off to the side of the room, shoulder leaning on the wall.
“So, before the girls get into everything with you, I wanted to talk to you about something important.”
Coach leans back in his chair, his gaze never wavering from mine. He nods, telling me I have the floor.
“I want to disclose my relationship with Kailyn. After everything you’ve done for me over the years and with everything going on, I wanted you to hear it from me. I know this technically goes against the no fraternization rules, but it’s different between us. We share a history, and once we reconnected, there was no denying things between us.”
He’s silent for a few minutes, his expression giving nothing away. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, and I'm becoming more nervous than I was when we walked in the room. Just when I start to feel restless, like I’m going to jump out of my skin from the nerves at what he’ll think, he stands from his chair and walks around the desk, sitting right in front of me.
“And you’re happy with Kailyn?” he asks, a gentleness to his voice.
“I am.” I turn to face Kailyn, reaching over and lacing out fingers together. “She is my person, and I don’t plan to let her go again.” Kailyn squeezes my hand in response, a soft smile on her lips.
Coach nods, smiling at both of us. “Well then, that’s all I need to hear. Jake, I have watched you for the last six seasons. You are an incredible player, one hell of a teammate, and a great man. I always knew that it would take a special person to claim your heart, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving. I’m truly happy for both of you.”
“Thank you, Coach. That means a lot coming from you.” I shake his outstretched hand, and the nerves I felt before start to fizzle out as his words settle in.
“I do need to tell you though, that Coach Johnson and I already knew about you two before this.”
