Page 2 of Power Play
His warm, calloused hand slides into my open one, giving it a shake. I'd met him a month ago during my initial interviews, because, while not technically my boss, he and I will be working closely together. Ifone of his players is hiding an injury, I'll let him know. If one of his players needs to work on their speed, he'll let me know.
I guess they're our players now.
"Lovely to see you again, too, Miss Bennett." His deep voice causes a shiver to tickle up my spine. I'm not the type of girl who gets giggly about celebrities, or even men. But Coach Ward? He's a different story - and I'm not sure I like it.
I'm a professional. I have to work with this man. I can keep my crush to myself.
"Lacey's fine, sir."
“Call me Ward. ‘Sir’ makes me feel old. The team doesn’t use it, and neither should you.”
I smile. "Okay, Ward."
"It's after morning skate, so most of the boys are off, but I can show you the facility and you can meet the rest of the team tomorrow."
"Sounds great!"
Honestly, it really does. I've avoided hockey like the plague. It used to be one of my favorite things in the world. But after... him... I had to cut it out. I haven't watched a game, listened to a highlight, or seen a Facebook post about hockey in eight years.
But when I finally graduated with my Sports Clinical Specialist Certification and started applying for jobs, I saw a position open for a Jr. Physical Therapist with the Titans and decided to apply.
There are thirty-two NHL teams, thirty-two AHL teams. Hell, he could be playing in Europe for all I know.
There are at least twenty-three active players on each NHL and AHL team. Some AHL teams have more. That's a one in sevenhundred and thirty-six chance he plays onthisteam. Trust me, I did the math.
The crazy thing is, in all of my back-of-the-napkin calculations I did, I can't decide if I want to see him or not.
I know I need to get on with my life. For all I know, he's married with kids and forgot about me a long time ago.
But my heart doesn't work that way. My heart doesn't know we've broken up, the loyal bitch. It's convinced he's just been gone on a long holiday and will be back any minute. Like a dog waiting at the door for its owner.
I shake my head and snap back into the moment. I need to make a good impression. I'm here to do a job, not nurse my naive heart.
He shows me the small cafeteria, the main rink, where games are held, and a secondary rink where drills, camps, and youth hockey programs take place. He shows me the press room, the equipment rooms, where men in Titans team polos are sharpening blades and putting various pads and jerseys away. And my heartbeat chooses this moment to kick up a notch.
I pray to God Coach can't see my breathing quicken, or the stupid grin that spreads across my face. I fucking love hockey. I feel like I'm reuniting with a long-lost friend. Until I remember why I love hockey, and how I know exactly how to take those pads off of a player.
I swallow around a lump of emotion before following Coach to the gym and what will be my domain - the attached rehab facility. The gym is large, with newer equipment. I make a mental note of the machines they have. On one side they have free weights, bands and physio balls. On the other side are a series of small therapy rooms with massage tables and chairs.
My smile only grows.
That is, until Coach reminds me of my place. "You're a junior here, so you'll work under Lauren. She'll direct your tasking and oversee all of your work. Everything you do gets cleared through her." He looks around and seems pleased when he sees a raven-haired beauty step out of one of the rooms. She's tall and thin and gorgeous. I self-consciously pick at the hem of my shirt.
I'm not ugly, and I take good care of my body. I truly believe if you love yourself, it shows inside and out. And I do love myself. I've had to. Besides three years in High School, I'm the only person who's ever loved me. With the whole,if I don't, no one else willmindset, I did a lot of self-exploration and self-love.
"Ah, Lauren, meet Lacey, your new PT." Lauren's eyes brighten and the smile that spreads across her face is genuine. I decide then that I'm going to like working with her. She grips my hand in a quick shake.
"Welcome aboard Lacey! Novy sent me your resume before you were hired. Impressive. Glad to have you join the team," she says before leaning closer and pretend-whispering, "and glad to have more estrogen around here to balance out all the testosterone."
"Thanks! I'm happy to be here." And fuck me, I actually mean it. I'm nervous, but excited.
"When do you officially start?"
"Monday."
"Great! I'll see you then!"
I'm dismissed as she calls in her next victim, I mean, patient.
