Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“We’re so thrilled you’re coming back! Why don’t you all get comfortable, and I’ll bring out refreshments.” She flits off to the kitchen.
“She’s a big fan.” Hollis leads us through the penthouse into the living room.
Postie and Malone, his rescue tabbies, come out to greet us. Alex takes a seat in one of the chairs, and Postie immediately jumps onto the arm, looking for pets.
“This guy is a bit of a lover,” Hollis warns.
“I like cats.” He scratches Postie’s head.
“Just don’t let him straddle your arm. He’ll treat it like it’s his girlfriend.”
I cough to hide my laugh and take a seat in the other chair.
“Good to know.” Alex doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest. Although I’ve read some of the things his wife says in interviews, so I doubt much shocks him.
“I’ll just go help Aurora. She kind of went all out.” Hollis excuses himself.
“Were they together at the gala last year?” Alex asks.
“Not publicly yet.” I rap on the armrest. “How’s the family? How are your kids?”
“They’re great. Lavender loves New York, and my son Maverick has really stepped up and taken an active role in the Hockey Academy. My youngest boy is working on his PhD, and he’s getting married this spring. I’m just waiting for my oldest to get tired of the West Coast and move back this way with my granddaughter.”
“That can’t be easy.” I can’t imagine Peggy being on the other side of the country. It was hard enough when she was living with Zara and they moved around for those few years before she came to stay with me full time.
“We visit them often. But I can’t lie, I’d love to have everyone closer,” Alex replies.
Hollis and Peggy reappear with a charcuterie board and an array of drinks, including coffee, beer, sparkling water, and soda.
“You weren’t kidding about going all out,” Alex says. “This looks great.”
“It’s no problem!” Peggy sets the tray of drinks on the coffee table. “I’ll leave you guys to it.”
Hollis catches her hand. “You can stay, Princess.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re more than welcome,” Alex agrees.
I give her an encouraging smile. She and Hollis take a seat on the couch.
“I’m excited about your plans for the Hockey Academy,” I say.
“We’ve been floating the idea of expansion for a few years.” Alex scratches Postie when he headbutts his hand. “I grew up not far from here.”
“In Guelph,” Peggy supplies.
“That’s right.” Alex turns his sportscaster smile on my daughter. “My parents still live there. They love visiting Pearl Lake, but they’re getting older, and I want to make it easier to spend time with them. Opening a satellite campus here is a great way to accomplish that and grow the program.”
“There’s definitely demand for it.” Hockey camps fill up quickly around here.
“There is. But to make it work, I need a staff with the same kind of passion as my team in Pearl Lake. I know you’re retiring this year, Roman, and Hollis, your contract is up, although I’m sure Toronto will want to extend. But if you decide you want to go in a different direction, we’d love to recruit you. No pressure. Just an option to consider.”
“What positions are you looking to fill?” I ask.
“Recruiting, management, coaching. We’ll need a full staff. Some are already in place, but we want to prepare for as much growth as possible,” Alex says.
“That sounds fantastic.” Peggy hugs Hollis’s arm.
This is exactly what I’ve been hoping for. “I’d love to prepare up-and-comers for the pros.” Lexi can stay with the Terror, and we can be together without bureaucratic red tape.
“This is absolutely something I would consider,” Hollis says. “You know what it’s like to have a serious injury. I won’t jeopardize my body more than I already have.”
“I get it.” Alex nods. “It’ll be big change for the team if you’re both done at the end of the season.”
“Ryker’s already in position to take over for me,” I say.
“And me leaving will give a rookie more ice time,” Hollis adds.
“Maybe Fielding and Vander Zee will be interested in picking up Quinn Romero,” Alex muses.
“That kid’s got skill. I’m surprised I haven’t seen him on a roster yet.” He’s the son of Lance Romero, another legend in hockey and one of Alex’s good friends.
“Fingers crossed. I’d take him on as part of my team at the Hockey Academy, but I’d hate to see that talent squandered.”
“Agreed.” My wheels are already turning. “How soon are you looking to onboard your coaching staff?”
“The sooner the better, but I’m aware you’re mid-season.”
“You’d want to start before the season ends?” I press. This could be the excuse I need.
“If you’re interested in coaching, we’ll wait for you. Having you as our lead goalie coach would be phenomenal for the program.” Alex continues to scratch Postie’s head. The alternative is being swatted.