Page 76 of Behind the Bench

She waves her hand in front of my face. “Earth to Lincoln. You in there? Or are you just trying to think up an excuse to blow me off?”

This outrageous accusation gets my attention. I lean in until I’m so close, the breath I see leaving her mouth because it’s so cold at ice level, whispers against my lips.

“The only blowing off that will be happening tonight is you, sweetheart.”

My perverted comment earns me a smack to the shoulder. “Just for that, you’ll be giving before receiving, Coach.”

The nickname does something to me, specifically in my pants, and I look over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching as I adjust myself. I chuckle and move back the slightest bit because Hunter seems to be done working with Jefferson, but I don’t leave Ellie’s side. “Is that supposed to be some sort of threat, Montgomery?”

She bites her lip, and I turn to hide the situation happening in my wind suit so Jefferson doesn’t see it as he skates by.

Ellie hops off the boards and follows Jefferson toward the door of the bench. Before she steps off, she looks back at me and shouts, “Maybe. You up for the challenge?”

She’s off the ice before I can answer, and I’m left standing there like some lovesick fool with a goofy grin on my face.

Hunter shakes his head as he comes to stand next to me on the bench. “You are so far gone for that girl.”

I mean, I can’t argue that. But I’m not sure I want to admit it just yet. Especially because I know as soon as I do, Hunter will report back to Sadie, and Ellie will know before I’ve even had a chance to tell her.

“I wouldn’t go that far. We’re having a good time, that’s all.”

Hunter snorts, not buying a damn word. “Right. Is that why you basically look like a heart-eyed emoji every time she walks into a room?”

I scoff.

We make our way off the ice and start walking down the tunnel toward the locker rooms. I need to end this conversation before anyone hears Hunter chirping me about Ellie. “You’d have heart eyes too if you’ve seen Ellie the way I have.” I waggle my eyebrows, and thankfully the comment makes us both laugh and drop the conversation.

Just when I think we’re in the clear, I hear someone clear their throat. I look over my shoulder to see Niko, half dressed, leaning against the wall by the players’ locker room.

“You got a minute, Coach Scott?”

Hunter gives me a worried look before disappearing into the coaches’ room as I make my way over to Niko. I do my best to act normal, but the uneasiness I’m feeling is hard to ignore.

Putting my gloves on top of my stick, I lean against the wall next to him. “What can I do for you, Captain?”

Niko looks a far cry from the confident leader he normally is. He runs his hands through his sweaty hair before speaking. “Look, I don’t want to cross any lines here. But as captain of this team, it’s my job to make sure we’re on the right track and not let anything get in the way of our success.”

My expression doesn’t change and I don’t move an inch. “I agree. I don’t want anything getting in the way of the team’s success either.”

I wait for Niko to tell me what’s on his mind. He seems to struggle to find the right words. He mumbles something unintelligible to himself before taking a deep breath. “Forgive my bluntness but I’m just gonna say it. Is there something going on with you and Coach Montgomery?”

Fuck.

We’ve been so careful. I mean, we barely say anything to each other that isn’t team or hockey related. We leave separately, at least ten minutes apart every single day. We are never out in public together. Hell, we always stand a good five feet apart if we can help it, which gets pretty tricky on a tiny hockey bench, but still, we succeed 90 percent of the time there too.

What happened on the ice five minutes ago was probably the first time we ever mentioned anything non-hockey related in the three weeks since we started this thing between us. The players were all off the ice, except for Jefferson, and he was a hundred feet away with Hunter. How the hell did Niko figure it out?

Niko catches me by surprise by laughing and shaking his head. “You put this C on my jersey because I can read people, Coach. I’m highly aware of everything going on with every player on this team. But I’m also highly aware of my coaches too.”

I drop my hands off my stick and cross my arms over mychest, trying to gain some self-control. Do not panic. He doesn’t seem pissed. Talk about it.

“How did you figure it out?”

It probably shouldn’t be the first thing I say, but I want to know what we need to do differently to keep this thing a secret. I won’t risk either of our careers by letting this get out. Especially Ellie's.

He matches my stance and nods at a couple players as they step out of the locker room. We wait until they’ve made it all the way to the exit before talking again.

“It’s you I figured out. You’ve been less cranky and you stare at her like she’s god’s gift to hockey whenever she’s going over a drill.”

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