Page 85 of Promise Me

“Yeah. Who’s asking?”

“This is Coach Beacher, from The Rockets hockey team in Wind Valley.”

Our first and only meeting flashes in my mind. The way I hesitated to go in and how Sadie grabbed my hand until we stepped through the door. Beacher had been right there when we stepped in. He hadn’t given me time to panic; he was just as excited as the team to see me.

It was the reminder I needed to be aware that, just because the game ended for me, my memory and what I brought to the sport didn’t.

Still, I don’t recall giving him my cell phone number.

“Coach,” I say, the greeting even more familiar than his voice. “What can I do for you?”

He chuckles.

“Right to the point, huh?”

“Well, I won’t lie, I’m not sure what you could need from me.”

“I hope it’s okay that your girlfriend gave me your number before the two of you left the other day.”

My girlfriend.

I don’t correct him.

I should, but I don’t.

I like the sound of it.

I shouldn’t, but I do.

“It’s perfectly fine.”

“Good. Good. Listen, the boys really enjoyed your drop-in, and I was curious if you’d be interested in coming down for tomorrow’s practice and teaching the boys a few things I don’t know. I’m aware that it’s last minute, and I apologize for not calling sooner.”

I move out to the kitchen and grab a glass, filling it with water from the fridge.

Me, coach?

The idea of being back on the ice again, even for a day, sends an uneasy feeling to my gut. Yeah, I did it with Sadie, but that wasn’t even on the actual ice and was mostly so that I didn’t look like a fool in front of her,andto get her to go to her dad’s house. Hell, she wakes up every single day and pushes through, but not me. I’ve been dwelling on my past for so fucking long, I’m not sure how to live life any other way at this point.

“Hudson? Are you still there?”

“I’m here,” I tell him.

“I’ll text you more details, and if it works out with your schedule, great. If not, maybe we can find another time to make it work.”

“Of course. That sounds great.”

“Thank you. The boys will be happy to hear it. I swear, they practiced harder than I've ever seen them after you spoke with them. You are a true inspiration.”

“Thank you, Coach,” I say but instantly feel guilty that I’m not as excited as he is or as those boys apparently are.

“Talk to you soon,” he says and hangs up.

I’m still standing in the kitchen, reading the text Beacher just sent with more information, when Sadie walks in.

“I bought all the goodies to make chicken fajitas tonight, so I hope you’re ready to get your?—”

Her eyes widen, and she’s biting her bottom lip.

---