Page 80 of Of Pucking Course

The guys and I help the kids take off their skates and put their shoes back on while Abby and Dakota shuffle the kids back and forth to the bathrooms.

Once everyone has their shoes on, they line up with Abby and Dakota.

“Okay, everyone. What do we say to the nice players from the Bashers hockey team for spending the afternoon playing with us?” Abby says.

“Thank you!” all the kids say in unison.

The guys and I all smile and chuckle.

“We had a blast with you guys,” I say.

Just then, Coach Porter walks by. He stops and stares at the kindergarteners as they walk out of the arena onto the small school bus parked outside.

He turns to us. “Was there some special event scheduled for today that I forgot about?”

“No, my sister’s kindergarten class came for a field trip,” Del says.

“Your sister is in kindergarten?” Coach Porter says.

Del frowns. Porter looks at him. “I’m kidding.”

We all laugh.

“We’re not used to you joking, Coach,” Blomdahl says.

Porter shrugs. “It happens from time to time.”

Just then, Abby walks over to the bench behind us.

“One of the kiddos forgot their jackets. Looks like they forgot their hat too.” She chuckles and picks them up.

“Shoot, sorry. We should have run out to give it to you,”Xander says. “This guy was talking our ears off, so we didn’t even notice.” He nods at Coach Porter.

Abby chuckles. “It’s no problem. Sorry to interrupt your conversation.”

“You’re not interrupting at all,” Coach Porter says. I notice his eyes widen the slightest bit as he looks at Abby.

She smiles at him. “Are you a player on the Bashers too?”

Coach Porter chuckles. Like, full-on, proper chuckles. With a smile and everything.

Theo, Del, Xander, Blomdahl, Camden, and I stare at him, dumbfounded. Then we all trade stunned glances.

“When was the last time he laughed? Or smiled?” Del asks me, his voice low so Coach Porter doesn’t hear him.

I shrug. “No clue.”

“No, I haven’t played in fifteen years,” Coach says.

Abby flashes a sweet smile. “I just figured you were a player. You look like one.”

Coach lets out another laugh. I’ve never seen him this happy, ever.

“I’m flattered, but I’m a bit too old for that these days,” he says. “I’ll stick with coaching.”

“Oh! Sorry!” Abby’s smile turns shy. She tucks her blonde hair behind her ears. “I just mistakenly thought the head coach of the Bashers was a player. I’m officially embarrassed.” She lets out a flustered laugh. “I should admit now that I know nothing about hockey and don’t pay attention to the sport. Or any sports, really.”

We all laugh and say it’s okay.

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