Page 103 of Doc Defence

Coach continued talking. “Thank you for that. I know without your support, it would be tough for these gentlemen to balance working to earn a living and playing ice hockey because they love it.” Coach paused, looking around the room, and sighed in exasperation again. “Aiden. I told you to sit down. If I get the popcorn now, will that help you concentrate?”

“Yes!” Aiden shouted. “We didn’t have time to eat as we were running late.”

Hel smirked when the young man gave Coach two thumbs up.

“You lot can’t even let me do one speech. Okay, I’ll skip to the end. I was going to say a lot of nice things about you players and how much I’ve enjoyed working with you. Then, I was going to tell you about the struggles in finding a new coach who was able to fill my shoes. Then the new coach, after I had done all this wonderful talking, was going to bring in the popcorn.”

A murmur of interest went around the room, and even Hel found herself sitting forward a little in her seat.

“Anyway. When we finish the documentary, I’m making my speech, and you lot are going to listen,” Coach Morgan grumbled.

“Yes, Coach.” A few of the players called out.

With a flourish of his arm, Coach Morgan announced. “I’m pleased to introduce you to your new chief coach for next season. Jake Forster.”

Hel’s brain went offline for a moment. She was sure he said Jake Forster. Frost was the new coach? No, that can’t have been right. It must have been wishful thinking on her behalf. She was still obsessed with the man all these months later. It wasn’t very healthy at all.

If her brain was offline when Coach Morgan said Jake Forster, it broke completely when Frost walked around the corner pushing a trolley of popcorn.

The first thing she noticed was he was walking without his stick—which he should be all these months later—although she did note a tiny hitch in his step, a reminder of his injury.

The players were on their feet, and those who knew Frost had all dashed to the front. Hel didn’t move. She was frozen, watching as the players surrounded Frost. Hugging him, slapping him on the back and greeting their new coach.

It took a long time for the chaos to die back down, although maybe it didn’t, as Hel’s perception of time had gone. All she could do was stare at Frost. He was here. He was really here. Standing at the front, wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt, which showed off his tattooed arms. He looked better than she had allowed herself to remember.

After what felt like forever, his green eyes met hers, and a smile pulled up at the corner of his lips. He held up a bucket of popcorn, an eyebrow raising in question. Hel nodded in reply.

Frost grabbed the microphone from Coach Morgan. “Alright, you lot. Get your popcorn and sit down. Yes, Aiden, the hotdogs are for you and Claudia.”

Frost must have been waiting outside the door and overheard the hot dog conversation.

“I want a hot dog too,” Rocky piped up, and soon, all the players were asking to go and get hotdogs.

Frost held his hands out to stop half the players from leaving the cinema to hunt down food. “Sit down. I’ll go and sort them out for everyone.”

Again, he looked right at Hel, an eyebrow raised in question. This time, she shook her head.

It felt like forever until he returned with a cinema employee and a whole trolley loaded with hotdogs. He didn’t take one. Instead, he grabbed two buckets of popcorn and walked toward her.

Hel’s heart thumped harder with every step he climbed. When he stood right next to her, she thought it might burst out of her chest or, at the very least, be audible to him.

“Hi.” He stared down at her, a grin so broad on his face it made her breath catch.

“Hi,” she squeaked. Thinking to herself, smooth, real smooth.

“Is anyone sitting here.” He indicated to the seat next to her.

“No.” She shook her head and gave herself a little pep talk. Come on, Hel, you can speak in more than one-word answers. “Hi,” she repeated when he sat down. Okay, maybe one-word answers were the best she could do today.

“Hi,” he replied and turned his body in his seat to look at her.

That made Hel laugh. It looked like they were both as nervous as each other.

“So,” Hel said and turned to face him as well, her knees brushing his.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Frost blurted out.

“No,” Hel replied. Still not able to get beyond the one-word answers. She grinned when she saw his body sag in his seat, and she hoped it was with relief.

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