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“You do that, and I’ll have to throw you over my shoulder again,” I say, lowering my voice.

What has gotten into me? Who is this smiling, flirtatious guy and where did the intolerable asshole go? I want him back.

Her dark brown eyes seem to darken further, and the look in her eyes makes a fire burn deep in my stomach. There are a lot of things this woman makes me want to do that go further than throwing her over my shoulder.

“Are you ready?” Noah’s quiet voice interrupts whatever was just happening. Andie jumps slightly, obviously surprised by his sudden presence by her side.

Feeling uncomfortable for flirting when Noah might’ve been watching, I draw a strict line between us in my mind. Which is why I bump my fist gently into her shoulder like a dude-bro.

“Later,” I barely manage to breathe out before turning and walking out to my car as quickly as I can.

I hear Noah whisper, “Why’s Coach Anderson being so weird?”

CHAPTER 9

ANDIE

Still reeling from my bizarre interaction with Mitch Anderson, I slowly turn toward my brother who's brooding beside me. “Have all your stuff?”

He tilts his head toward his gigantic hockey bag on his shoulders. I don’t know how he even carries that thing. It’s bigger than he is.

“Andie! Wait up!” I hear Steph’s voice as she runs toward us, waving me down. Dang it, all I want to do is go home, take a shower and go to bed.

I hand Noah the car keys and he walks toward the parking lot, leaving me and Steph to our conversation. “Oh, hey Steph.”

Work ran late today, and I made it to the iceplex just in time to catch the end of Noah’s practice. I’m exhausted. Also, I feel like we live here. Hopefully, Steph’s conversation is quick, as much as I enjoy chatting with her. Tori is right behind her and they both settle in front of me. Tori smiles, but Steph’s expression turns hesitant.

“Well, look who finally remembered warm clothing,” Tori teases, patting my shoulder.

I laugh and flick the yarn ball on top of my head. I’m still wearing my usual scrubs, but remembered to keep a bag in the car with a fleece jacket and snow hat.

Steph clears her throat. “Hey, did anyone talk to you about the boys?”

I feel the blood drain from my face. I’ve just gotten sort of used to parenting and adapting to Noah’s schedule. I don’t think I’m ready for altercations with other parents yet.

I swallow slowly. “Um, yeah. Coach Anderson talked to me.”

Steph’s eyebrows shoot up. “No fair! I got Coach Aaron.” She groans. “Anyway, what did he say?”

“Well, they didn’t give me any names,” I start off. “But I was told some of the boys are teasing Noah about…” I pause, wrinkling my nose at how awkward this is. “About me. And I guess it’s been really bothering him and he’s been reacting aggressively.”

She snorts a humorless laugh, clearly offended, even though I didn’t do anything. “This is ridiculous. Coach Aaron told me Declan is one of the boys teasing Noah. But Declan would never speak disrespectfully like that.” Steph eyes Tori expectantly.

Tori takes the hint and hedges before adding, “Yeah… Declan is such a sweetheart.”

“I know!” Steph says, putting her palms up toward the ceiling. “That just doesn’t sound like him at all.”

I shrug one shoulder. “I’m sure he is, Steph. I’m just repeating what I was told.” I offer her a kind smile so she knows I’m not upset. I want to tell her Noah is in therapy and working through his grief and anger, but that feels like betraying him. He might be embarrassed if his friends found out.

Steph’s eyebrows scrunch together, I’ve never seen her so serious. “Well, I’ll talk to him. But don’t you think maybe Noah is exaggerating?”

It takes all my self-control to keep my face from contorting into a scowl. I’m used to working with people who are much grouchier and more difficult than Steph is at this moment.

“Thanks, Steph. I appreciate you talking to him.”

They both stare at me, and I wonder if Steph isn’t used to people not rolling over for her. But I won't throw Noah under the bus and make it seem like this is all his fault. Sure, Noah needs to learn to control his temper and his emotions, but the other boys need to learn to keep their mouths shut.

“Right,” Steph says after a long pause. “Well, I need to get home.” She walks away almost as abruptly as Mitch did.