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Fifteen minutes before the start time, more players arrived. We exited the ice and removed our helmets and gloves at the bleachers.
“Thanks, Coach Ethan,” Milo said. “That was fun.”
Liam walked in, coffees in hand and wearing his usual calm smile. “Starting the party without me?” He approached us.
Tommy and I simultaneously signed Liam’s words for Milo, whose phone remained on the players’ bench. Tommy’s signing continued to get more confident every day.
“These two are showing me up,” I said. “They’ve got moves we’ll need to watch out for in the exhibition game.”
Tommy and Milo exchanged excited glances. We hadn’t officially announced the game roster yet, although we planned to make sure all the campers got some ice time with the guests who were coming in.
“Get yourselves ready,” I told them. “See you back out there in a few minutes.”
They nodded and returned to the ice, leaving me with Liam.
“Here.” He handed me the second coffee. “If I’d known you’d be here so early, I would’ve shown up with it sooner.”
“No worries.” The warm drink hit the spot. “Just needed some ice time. Ended up running drills with those two.”
“While you’ve been skating, everything’s fallen into place for today’s arrivals. Caleb and Kyle are driving in from the airport together, arriving around ten thirty. Cole and Miles hope to make the opening ceremony if traffic cooperates. Everyone else comes in this afternoon and tonight.”
“Perfect. So many coaches here at once will be amazing for the campers.” I loved that friends took the time to come in for the game and to coach. Caleb and Cole played for New York alongside Dix. Kyle was in Phoenix, while Miles played for Kyle’s former team in Detroit.
“This group is certainly getting the VIP treatment.” Liam sipped his drink, then fixed me with an expectant look.
“What?” I asked when his stare lingered.
“Don’t what me. I need details about last night.”
A smile spread across my face. “It was amazing. The best date I’ve ever had.”
“Yeah?” His grin matched mine. “Tell me everything. Well, maybe not everything-everything.”
“It wasn’t like that,” I said, though memories of our time by the pond heated my cheeks. “Well, okay, maybe there was everything-everything. Far more than I’d ever considered doing with Andre Thompson.” Liam’s mouth formed an O, followed by an approving nod. “We connected. Talked a lot.”
“That’s how it is when it’s right.” Liam clapped me on the shoulder. “So what brings you here shooting pucks so early? That’s your stress reliever move.”
I sighed, watching the campers warm up. “We might be moving too fast. Plus the speech later, the festival, that the summer is short.”
“One thing at a time, E.” Liam’s voice blended gentleness with firmness. His ability to talk that way was one thing that made him a fantastic coach. “The speech will be fine. We can run through it now if you want. As for Andre…” He paused thoughtfully. “Remember how everything seemed so intense and important at their age?” He gestured toward the skaters.
His point hit home. Those intense teenage feelings had contributed to years of Andre and me being at odds. “We’re not teenagers anymore.”
“Exactly. You’re both adults who know what you want. Sometimes things move fast because they’re meant to.” He bumped my shoulder. “Stop overthinking it.”
“Rom-com advice again?”
“You know it.” His serious expression cracked into a grin.
I chuckled and drained half the coffee. “Let’s hit the locker room. I’ll practice the speech while you get your skates on.”
He clapped me on the back as we started walking.
In the locker room, I stood a few feet away while he sat to remove his sneakers. “Okay, here we go.” Deep breath. “Thank you, everyone, for that welcome. To be honest, when I was asked to be the grand marshal of this year’s Pride festival, my first thought was, you’ve got the wrong guy. I’ve always been more comfortable… skating… uhm…”
Shit. Three sentences in and already floundering.
“Hey, you were doing great,” Liam encouraged. “No rush. Remember what Elena always says about taking your time?”
