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)
“You have a high school and a university summer program slated?” I tap the armrest.
“That’s right. The university program begins in early May, and high school in early July,” Alex replies.
I glance at Hollis. “Ryker could handle the playoffs.”
Peggy’s eyes flare. “You can’t retire before the end of the season.”
A knock at the door saves me from answering.
“I’ll get that.” Peggy crosses the room, eyeing me as she goes.
I give her a reassuring smile, though that’s exactly what I’m considering.
“Some program graduates wanted to say hello,” Hollis explains.
Alex grins. “I was hoping to see some of the boys while I’m in town.”
Tristan, Flip, and Dallas file into the penthouse, Rix trailing behind them with Peggy.
Rix stops short when she sees Alex and grabs Peggy’s arm. “Oh! Oh my God.”
Tristan frowns and looks over his shoulder. “You all right, Bea?”
“I’ll be right back! I have to grab my Alex Waters milk ad!” She spins around and heads for the door.
“What is she talking about?” Tristan’s brow is extra furrowed.
“Didn’t you do an ad for milk back when you were playing for Chicago?” Flip asks.
“Yeah. But that was like…a really long time ago,” Alex says.
“She has that magazine,” Peggy replies helpfully.
“Since when?” Tristan asks.
Peggy shrugs. “Dunno. But she put it in a plastic sleeve to preserve it.”
“Huh.” Tristan scrubs his chin.
We spend the afternoon chatting with Alex. The guys reminisce about the Hockey Academy, and Alex talks about the plan to open a second campus here. Eventually he excuses himself, citing a late lunch with Connor. We invited him over, but while he and Flip are currently managing, he didn’t want to dredge up the past.
“Wills will be so disappointed she missed this.” Dallas pops the cap on a beer. “What a cool opportunity.”
“Callie could spend a summer there when she’s old enough!” Peggy grabs my arm. “She would love to have you as a coach.”
“I’d love to coach her.” To have a hand in helping her develop her skill set would be so rewarding.
“Isn’t her birthday coming up?” Tristan asks.
“I’m pretty sure you’re right.” I’m actually positive. It’s marked on Lexi’s calendar, which I saw when I was over there last week.
“We should plan something big for her,” Tristan declares. “It’s her second birthday with no parents. It needs to be something to remember.”
“Let’s make a list.” Rix pulls out her phone.
“I’ll grab my laptop, and we can start a spreadsheet.” Peggy rushes down the hall and returns a moment later, laptop already open.
We spend the next half hour lobbing ideas back and forth, making lists, assigning tasks, and getting things organized. Tristan is determined to go all out, as is his way when it comes to birthday celebrations. I let him take the lead, mostly so I don’t draw attention to how much I know about the things Callie loves.
When all the tasks have been allocated, we disband, and I message Lexi. She’s at hockey practice with Callie, so I hop in my SUV.
With Lexi’s permission, I stopped by the arena the day after Callie jumped on that kid and had a conversation with the coaching staff. Then I helped her mediate a discussion between Callie, the coaches, and the kid in question. The kid’s eyes seemed like they were on the verge of falling out of his head the entire time. I’m not above using my hockey fame to make an impression.
I also sat with Lexi while she called Fee’s vice principal. They had a frank discussion about the school’s responsibility to check in with a new student who’s lost both of her parents and support her during the transition. Fee finished the rest of her suspension in school.
I run into Donnie on my way into the arena. He’s toting two hockey bags and a pair of four-year-old boys.
“Coaching tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah, gotta get the experience somewhere, right?” He glances behind me. “What are you doing here?”
“Here to watch a game.”
He nods, maybe waiting for me to elaborate. His son tugs on his sleeve. “Dad, we’re hungry, can we go now?”
“I should get in there. See you tomorrow, Donnie.”
“Yeah, see you later.”
I head inside and find Callie’s rink, scanning until I locate Lexi. I slide into one of the slightly too-small seats beside her.
“Hey.” I skim the back of her hand, just for the contact.
She flips it palm up. “Hey yourself.”
I lace our fingers briefly and squeeze before I reluctantly release her hand and clasp mine together. I glance at the scoreboard. “Looks like the game is going well.” Callie’s team is up by two goals.
“It is. How was your meeting with Waters?”
“He wants Hollis and me to join their coaching staff at the satellite campus in Toronto.”
“Oh wow, that’s—wow. What did you say?”
“That I’m definitely interested.” I rub my bottom lip.
She tracks the movement. “What are your concerns?”
“About the job? None. The Hockey Academy has a great mission, they’re one of the most renowned hockey programs out there, and they’ve produced some of the best players in the league. It’ll be a pay cut, but I’ve had twenty years in the pros, so I’m not concerned about that.”