Page 21 of Until He Scores

That night I went home and repeated all the cool down exercises I’d been given by Dr. Jay then iced my knee before taking a hot shower. For it being my first day back and my first day as a coach, I’d been rejuvenated. Like the well of my optimism was replenished, allowing me to drink down a fresh cup of determination.

Even with the little scene with Pope. I came to the conclusion, after post-nut clarity, I wouldn’t allow myself to be distracted. Not right now. Not when the season was on the line, and I had work to do. Rather than focus on Pope’s mouth, I reminded myself how much those players needed me. Pope on the other hand only wanted retribution. Hopefully, he’d gotten it out of his system, and I could close that emotional connection, tethering us together once and for all.

If not?

I didn’t want to think about it.

By the next morning, I was ready to go. Excitement bubbled inside of me as the defenders, and I went through practice drills and stretching. Adrenaline spiked within my veins, almost as if I had a beast inside me ready to burst from my chest to dominate the game.

I felt like one of the guys out on the ice, not stuck behind the boards.

I was ten feet tall and bullet proof. Something I hadn’t experienced in the last six months.

Once I said goodbye to the boys after a quick cafeteria lunch at the sports complex, I headed over to my apartment in Nashville to pick up a suit. The drive didn’t take long, but I’d be remiss if I hadn’t considered moving home permanently. Although Nashville kept me away from Pope, obviously, since I found out he had a shop in Murfreesboro. I’d done so well not to dwell on the kiss or what it meant or how angry even after all this time Pope was with me. Twelve hours was like years in my over analyzing brain. I just had to quit him cold turkey. Now, as I sat in my truck waiting for the light to turn green, the events played out all over again. So much for giving him up.

This is all so messed up.

As I stepped out of my apartment after grabbing everything I needed for another week, I decided to rent a little bachelor apartment in Murfreesboro until the AHL season ended. My contract was on a season-by-season basis, so I’d have to find a month-to-month rental agreement.

Of course, I could buy a house out by my parents, so I was closer to them.

I sighed. I had too much shit to deal with. Fuck it, I’d stick with an apartment for now, then consider my other options later. With that settled, I took the elevator to the garage decks and loaded up my truck.

I had a game to get ready for. There was no room for any outside distractions or decisions. My focus needed to be on the team and the guys who depended on me to see them to the win. So, on the way to the sports complex, I focused on the road and what I’d have to do to make sure the guys won their first game with me as their defensive coach.

Nothing else mattered.

There were two main positions a defender and a coach had to pay attention to while playing defense on the ice. The wingers and forwards of the opposing team, and your goalie. Especially if he needed help or there was some issue that came up during the game. Like losing his stick. If I had Kodiak’s back, he’d have mine and his teammates. Just a little weird being his coach, instead of against him.

“Nervous?” Pavel asked before warmups began. “It’s always hard coming back from an injury. More so when you’ve been away for months at a time, and you’re not actually getting on the ice.”

“It’s a good nervous,” I said with a forced chuckle, glancing at the roster in my hands. Not to mention I couldn’t stop thinking about Pope, no matter how much I tried. “Almost feels like the first time all over again,” I couldn’t implement my broader remaining season changes just yet. Although, I could tweak what the guys did while I watched them, “and I have a plan. A good one. I’ve got you covered. Just give me time.”

He nodded. “A guy I know once said, we’re hockey players, we’re supposed to fall.” Pavel shoulder bumped me. “We’re only going up from here.”

I chuffed, then laughed for real. “Only you would remember what a cocky seventeen almost eighteen-year-old kid from the south had to say after playing in front of a world audience.” While trying to impress everyone at our table and with our opponents walking by.

“It was the truth.” He shrugged. “You showed me you were meant to be out there during the games. No one can ever dispute that. Just like your knuckle won’t buckle tonight while you’re coaching us.”

“Hey that rhymed.”

Pavel tapped me in the chest with the back of his glove. “I’ve got your back. You’ll have mine.”

Because it was my semi-return to the ice, Alexander let me lead the guys out for their warmups. The roar of the crowd sounded like a packed stadium, not a couple thousand people. Adrenaline spiked within me. I felt like I could fly. My knee? Solid. My muscles? Tight. What I wouldn’t give to be back in my skates and on that ice. The slaps against the plexiglass were music to my ears as they rang out. I’d never been so grateful for the warm welcome or so damned humbled.

This was where I was meant to be.

I glanced up into the stands as I did a slow turn to wave at the fans in attendance, and spotted Lily-Mae, Rick, and the kids. All of them woreMountaineersweaters and that hit me right in the feels. I gave a little wave then went back to the tunnel. Being out there right now wasn’t my job anymore. Tonight, I metaphorically passed the torch to the team. I’d still be out there, only my position had changed. When the buzzer went off, I went with Alexander to the bench while the opening pomp and circumstance took place.

The night, from then on, was a blur.

I bided my time implementing my plan.

I didn’t rush Coach’s decision. We worked together to give Pavel the best chance to protect the goal. My moment came when the Kansas CityStingerswent up by three and our forwards weren’t doing shit on the ice. We as a team needed to stymie the bleeding before the game got away from us for good.

Unlike baseball or football, hockey was a game of constant momentum. Players were always on the ice charging back and forth until someone scored, there was a penalty, or a fight. Chances happened every second with players. Being in the right place at the right time could change the trajectory of the game.

“You see something, don’t you?” Coach said, patting me on the shoulder. “You’ve been eyeing up their forward.”

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