Page 28 of Behind the Bench

The tile floor in the kitchen is cold on my feet as I walk over to the fridge to grab my caramel creamer. It’s no caramel pistachio espresso from Gold Coast, but it’ll do.

I lucked out when I found this new apartment. It’s completely updated with hardwood floors in all of the living spaces and bedrooms, with new tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. Beyond that, I haven’t done much decorating. I’m grateful Sadie is here to bring some life to this place. It’s actually pretty depressing if I think about it.

After adding the water to my press, I stir until the water foams and let the coffee steep for about four minutes. Thank God my dad taught me how to make coffee this way, because the K-Cups weren’t cutting it for me anymore. Okay, so maybe I’m a tiny bit of a coffee snob. But there’s nothing better in the morning than a good cup of coffee.

Four minutes feels like a lifetime, but after it finally passes I push the plunger down slowly until it reaches the bottom and then grab my favoriteGrey’s Anatomymug. It saysIt’s a beautiful day to save livesand reminds me of McDreamy every time I use it. The perfect way to start my morning, if I do say so myself.

I pour myself as much as I can but leave enough room for my creamer. After adding a tiny bit of sugar, I stir it alltogether and make my way to my tiny breakfast nook near the window.

My favorite thing about this apartment is the view of the Fox River. Right out my window, I have the perfect view of the Walnut Street Bridge, which was actually renamed the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge a few years back. I learned recently that he was a legendary Packers player and they named the bridge in honor of him. The coolest thing about the bridge is the fact that it lights up at night in a multitude of colors. Since the sun isn’t up yet, I’m transfixed at the rainbow of colors reflecting off the river as I stare out my window.

I don’t splurge on much but I’ve also never made the kind of money I do now in my current position. So, I splurged a little on this place. Work is hectic, hard, and exhausting on so many different levels. I owe it to myself to find a place I can call home that brings me peace and helps me relax after a long day at the rink.

I take a slow sip of my coffee and close my eyes to savor this calming moment before opening my email back up. I decide to clear out all the junk and go through the less important emails just so I can have the satisfaction of watching the number of unread emails go down. Only psychos leave hundreds of emails unread in their inboxes. Psychos.

I’m just about done clearing out my unread emails when my phone vibrates and another one from Lincoln comes through. It must be a sign to stop ignoring him. I reluctantly go through the unnecessary amount of emails he sent overnight. Trust me, not much can happen overnight in terms of hockey lineups when you haven’t even played your first regular season game. But leave it to Lincoln to always keep me on my toes.

Nothing of priority needs to be responded to until I see the last email that came through at 5:17 a.m.

To: Ellie Montgomery

From: Lincoln Scott

Subject: Urgent Meeting

Good morning, Ellie. There is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed before our first game tomorrow and the GM would like to meet with us this morning at 7 a.m. He knows our first meeting of the day usually starts around eight and would like to meet before that. He didn’t give me any details so please don’t ask any questions. I’m just as confused as you are.

See you soon.

Lincoln Scott

What the hell could that be about? I bite my lower lip until I taste the blood on my tongue. For no good reason at all, I’m bubbling with anxiety. Am I getting fired already? No. I couldn’t be. I’ve done nothing wrong and have been working my ass off since the minute I got here.

A million different illogical scenarios play through my mind as I stare out at the Fox River. Having a last minute meeting scheduled with the GM is usually never good news. Unless of course it has something to do with a trade. But the season hasn’t even started yet and usually the coaches have at least a little idea of a trade happening before it’s announced.

I’m lost in my thoughts when my phone buzzes again. I look down to see a text from Lincoln.

Head Pain in my Ass

Did you get my email?

Is he serious? It’s not even five-thirty in the morning and not only has he blown up my email inbox, but now he’s texting me.

Good morning to you too, Lincoln.

Head Pain in my Ass

That doesn’t answer my question.

Oh, so we’re getting grumpy Lincoln this morning. That’s good to know. I can prepare myself before I head to the rink for all his bullshit.

Why yes, I did receive your six emails you set in a span of six hours. Do you ever sleep?

I watch the three dots appear and disappear three times before the next text comes in.

Head Pain in my Ass

Sometimes.

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