Page 53 of Betrothal or Breakaway

“I’ve been watching game footage, and I think we need to switch up our first line.”

His expression turns thoughtful. “Really? The first line? Why?”

The first line includes me as center, Colby as right-winger, West as left-winger, then Mitch and Rasmussen, two of our best defensemen. So, I understand his confusion. Our first line is solid. Why would I pick it apart? The five of us have played together forever. We know each other’s moves and tricks. We move like a well-oiled machine.

But just because you’ve done one thing for a while, doesn’t mean it’s the best thing. That’s something I’ve learned tenfold these past few weeks. “We’ve got a good thing going, but I think changing it up would spice it up. Make us more alert, more aware. And we have the rookie…” I trail off, trying to remember his name.

Coach Young smiles. He knows I don’t forget names because I think I’m better than anyone else. He probably thinks it’s a personality quirk or something. He doesn’t know it’s just that my brain gets overwhelmed and shuts down.

“Thomas,” Coach Young offers. “You wanna give him a try on first line? Rasmussen might not be thrilled with this change.”

“Rasmussen has great energy, and he’s been with the Eagles for five years now. I think he’d do well on second line, and it would give him the chance to lead and work with some of the younger guys.”

Coach Young brings a hand up and rubs the back of his neck. His eyebrows are drawn like he’s deep in thought. “I don’t think it’s a terrible idea, maybe worth trying. I’ll talk to Tom and see what he thinks too. I appreciate your input. This is what makes you a great captain, you know?” He smirks. “Not every captain would take the time to troubleshoot an issue like this or be willing to switch up his own line.”

I huff a laugh, not wanting to accept the compliment. Half the time, I think West would make a better captain than me. He’s confident and charismatic, and everyone loves him. He’s great at public appearances, and in interviews. Also, he probably never has to watch what everyone else is doing to know how he should act in social settings.

Maybe I’m too distracted by trying to be normal to have the focus it takes to lead an NHL team.

And now I have two brand new, totally wonderful distractions on top of that.

“Hey, I heard you got married?” Coach’s comment draws me out of my own head. “What the hell? You didn’t even tell us.”

“Sorry.” I grimace. “It happened kind of fast.”

He frowns at that; he knows me well enough to know I never jump into things without thinking.

“But it’s a good thing,” I say, hoping to reassure him. “Amber and I have been best friends since second grade. I can’t imagine being married to anyone but her.”

He grins. “Happy to hear it. And she has a baby?”

“Nella.” I smile.

“You look happy.” He sighs. “But you should know that Knight is planning a very large, very ostentatious party for you guys.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not surprised, but thanks for the heads up.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

AMBER

I’m sitting on the large white sectional downstairs with Farrah and Sally while we watch Ford’s game. I’ve got my sketch book and some pencils, needing to do something creative after sitting so much. The Eagles are playing against the San Francisco Lions. Nella is lying on her pink playmat on the floor and batting at the toys that dangle above her face. The teams are tied 2-2 in the second period, and I’m hoping it’s not a repeat of the Anaheim game. I can’t stay up that late again. Especially since we’re Eastern time and these games are at 7pm Pacific time.

I also hated how bummed Ford sounded on the phone today. For someone who won a game the night before, it was obvious he still feels something is off with the team and wants to fix it. I wanted to be there beside him, to wrap my arms around his big body.

A week and a half of fake marriage, and I don’t know how I went months without seeing him in person. All we had was phone conversations from September when pre-season started to November when I came to visit him, and it was fine. But now I miss him so much, I feel wholly unsettled. I wonder if I need another heart procedure, or if this is just what it feels like to miss someone so desperately your chest aches. And we still have three days to go.

Farrah squints at the screen where Ford, West, Mitch, Colby, and a guy I don’t recognize are on the ice. “Did they change the first line?” She asks, turning toward me and her mother.

Both of our eyes snap to the screen, studying the players.

“You’re right,” Sally says. “Rasmussen is usually on the first line, but now it’s Thomas. The new kid.”

I feel my lips move up in a smile. I just know Ford did this, trying to mix things up and see if it helps them get their mojo back. And I adore him for giving the rookie a chance. That’s so Ford.

“I bet they’re mixing it up to get out of the funk they’ve been in,” I say, and the other two women on the sofa nod, agreeing with me.

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