Page 21 of Behind the Bench

He isn’t wrong there. Grayson sucks.

I pick up my last taco and attempt to enjoy every last bite, but I can’t stop thinking about what Hunter said. Am I so wrapped up in proving people wrong that I’m not actually living a life outside of work?

Do I actuallylikebeing alone?

I don’t think I do.

It’s our first preseason game and I am amped up. My blood is pumping, my heart is pounding, and my hands can’t seem to stop shaking.

Breathe, Lincoln.

Camp went well, and our coaching staff seems to be coming together, finally. I can’t help but still feel a little bit of animosity coming from Grayson, but that could be because I threatened to ruin his life. Either way, we’re one step closer to having a finalized roster and things are good.

During the preseason, rosters aren’t finalized just yet. There’s still some prospects fighting for a spot, and not all the starters play each game. It’s the perfect time to see the prospects in live action to see if they can play at the same level as they do in practice.

We’re hoping to see a little bit more of our special teams during preseason too. Special teams are so important. If we can’t score on the power play or keep the other team from scoring when we are shorthanded, there’s no way we’ll make the playoffs.

I know Ellie has been working tirelessly to get our first power play unit solidified. She still isn’t sure if she has theright people out on the ice with Niko. I want to go over her thoughts before this game one more time and give her any support she might need.

She’s talking with a few of the players outside the locker room as they tape their sticks and prep for the game. I was absolutely blown away by the guys in that locker room at our first players’ meeting. Not a single one of them had a smartass remark or blinked twice when I introduced Ellie as one of our assistant coaches. Hell, some of them were in awe. These rookies have been watching and hearing about Ellie their entire lives. Now if only Grayson could take a page out of their books and get over himself, that would be great.

“Montgomery, you got a second?”

She says something to the guys and walks over to where I’m standing. “What’s up, Link?”

I groan. “Could you please stop calling me Link? Lincoln or Coach is fine.”

Ellie shifts uncomfortably on her feet. “I’m sorry. I’ve called you Link my entire life. Just a habit, I guess. What’s up, Coach?”

Well, fuck. I didn’t want to start this meeting off like that. I practically scolded her like a damn child. “It’s just that my dad used to call me that and I’d rather not be reminded of him.”

I’m not sure why the hell I let that slip. But every time she calls me Link, my fists clench and I’m immediately brought back to that time. I swear it’s the cause of these nightmares coming back. Maybe Katie is right. It’s not fair to blame Ellie for something she has no idea about. That still doesn’t mean I want her knowing the worst parts of me.

Slowly she looks up at me with her beautiful, blue eyes. God, she’s gorgeous.

“Of course. It won’t happen again,” Ellie says softly.

I open my notebook to where I have the power play notes we went over at our last meeting. “Are you still thinking of putting the rookie, Jefferson, down low on Niko’s unit?”

She smiles. I swear I can see the gears turning in her head.

“Yeah, I want to see what he does down there. The guy’s got grit. He’s smaller but feisty as hell and rarely loses a battle down low. That, and with how silky his hands are, I think he’s our guy to get Niko the puck more.”

It’s hard not to be impressed with Ellie when she talks about the team like this. I’d love to sit here and blame her success on who her father is, but it’s almost impossible to do at this point. I’m seeing firsthand just how brilliant, driven, and tenacious this woman is. Part of me is completely captivated by her when she’s explaining different on ice scenarios like she is now.

I clear my throat. “Right. He’s a hell of a player for sure. We just gotta make sure he doesn’t get knocked around out there. Games are totally different from practice. Who knows if our guys have been taking it easy on him.”

Ellie nibbles on the corner of her lip, and I can’t help but imagine sinking my teeth into it myself.

Damn it to hell.Knock it off, Scott.

“Yeah, you’re right. But I think this one is going to surprise us. I’ve been watching his game tape from Minnesota and this kid has it. I’m excited to see what he shows us today.”

I can’t help but smile. This woman is locked in and just as excited for this game as I am.

“All right. Let’s see what he’s got today. That’s all I needed.” I close my notebook and put my pen in my pants pocket because I know I’ll need it during the game to make notes.

Ellie is still standing next to me. She’s playing with the charm on her necklace, almost as if she’s nervous.

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