Page 141 of Unrivaled Love
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPHT
I reach up to cover my ears as Tilly lets rip on her whistle. It's a long, ear splitting, trill until Danielle finally catches the lanyard and yanks it out of Tilly's mouth. Honestly, I forgot the kid was even here.
"Tilly. Not so loud. Little toots remember?"
"But they couldn't hear my little toots. They didn't stop and rerun the drill."
"Yeah, but you're the assistant coach baby, they're listening to the head coach right now."
"But doesn't the assistant coach draw up the plays?"
"Sometimes." Danielle says with a kiss to her head.
"Other times the assistant coach is like your big sister on the team. She can soften the blow of the head coach's criticism." I add.
"Really?" Tilly asks me and I nod.
"Yeah, I've got a head coach who can be really mean sometimes. But my assistant coach, Brie, makes sure I understand what Coach McEmbry is looking for and how I can improve."
"You play hockey?"
"Soccer."
"I play soccer. On Saturdays. My team is called the Chaos Dolphins."
"That's awesome. Do you enjoy playing?"
"It's not as fast as hockey but my friends are on the team so that's fun."
"Hockey is really fast, all the time, but soccer can go slow and then fast and then slow again. Each game is a little different."
"Jo is going to play for the US Team in the World Cup this summer." Harper tells her.
"What's that?"
"It's like the Stanley Cup but for the whole world and way harder to earn." Ivanna says with a wink.
"See, you get it!" I say with a smile and the girls all laugh.
***
“Oh, c’mon babe! You fanned on that shot.” I grumble after Crosby basically swings and misses a clean set up from Emmett. He’ll be regretting that one. I know I would be.
“I have learned so much about this game watching with you.” Harper says as she pulls a fried pickle from Caroline’s plate. We decided to meet at a bar tonight to watch the game together.
Training is in full swing and Bryson and I have found a balance. We wake up, make breakfast together and go our separate ways for the day. It was almost like we both were getting ready for work on Monday. Like a normal couple.
My skincare treasures and cosmetics cover the bathroom counter. My books mix with his on the shelves. We meal prep together and lay on the floor to foam roll together.
Not as sexy as it sounds.
This was his first away game stretch. It’s weird being in Bryson’s place alone. I still call it Bryson’s condo but, if I’m being honest, it feels like our place.
When Harper and Caroline asked if I wanted to come out to watch the game with them I said yes. But now, the Renegades are down three with nine minutes left in the game. Not looking good.
“I bet Aiden appreciates you’re not all up in his game though.” I say with a sip of my sparkling water.
“It’s actually a bit of a sore spot.” Caroline says. When Harper gives her a I-can’t-believe-you-said-that look she shrugs. “What? Jo is a Stick Handler now. Vault is open.”
