Page 24

West lifts his eyebrows and smiles. “You’re willingly coaching this kid one-on-one? I think we’re all just surprised.”

“It’s not like I have anything better to do with my time.” I shrug, then lean against Remy’s SUV that’s parked beside my car.

“Is it because his sister is hot?” Bruce asks, causing me to bristle. He sits beside her one time and talked to her enough to know she’s Noah’s sister? Now I know how Colby felt when Bruce teased he was going to get that blonde at the party to go out with him. My teammates share amused glances.

“Interesting,” Colby says, bringing his hand to his chin and rubbing it conspiratorially.

“You guys are ridiculous. I’m not working with Noah because Andie is hot.” I push off the car and unlock my vehicle with the key fob in my hand.

“Oh, we know her name, do we?” Bruce teases. “I sat next to her during the game. She’s a sweetheart.”

I scoff. “Are you kidding me? Sweet is the last word to describe her.”

Bruce’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“She’s the crazy lady who yelled at me on my first day of coaching!”

All four of them erupt into laughter. Bruce and Colby have literal tears streaming down their faces.

Remy shakes his head, smirking. “Mitch ‘The Machine’ Anderson.” He pins me with a serious look. “I think you’ve met your match.”

CHAPTER 11

ANDIE

Noah is quiet on the drive home after the game. But his shoulders are straight and proud, and a very faint smile pulls at his mouth. It’s not a bad quiet, I think he’s just reflecting.

When I pull into our designated parking spot in the garage and we begin walking down the street to our townhouse, Noah surprises me by starting up a conversation.

“So,” he starts.

“So… what?” I tease.

“Do you have any idea who those guys were?”

I look down at him. “What guys?”

He gives a subtle shake of his head. “The four guys who sat by you at the game. The ones you were chatting with.”

My brows knit together as I think about it. They were all broad shouldered, I assume from muscle, and quite good looking. Especially the one with dark hair and dimples. But pretty boys aren’t really my type.

“No. I guess I thought they were there watching their kids.”

He laughs and it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. I want to bottle it up and listen to it over and over. It sounds just like my dad’s laugh, except not as deep.

I nudge his shoulder playfully. “Are you going to tell me who they were?”

He rolls his lips with his teeth, contemplating. “Nah. I’ll let you figure it out for yourself.” Then he takes off in a run toward the front door of our house.

“Hey! Not fair.” I chase after him, huffing and puffing when I catch up to him. I really need to start working out again, I miss feeling strong.

I unlock our door and we tumble inside. Noah is smirking, obviously amused by my ignorance.

“Give me one clue.”

“Hmm.” He looks up at the ceiling as he shrugs out of his coat and hangs it on the hook. “Hockey.”

“That’s my clue? That’s worthless!”