Page 107 of One Good Puck
“Xander told me.”
I roll my eyes. “That guy is such a gossip.”
Jason chuckles and rests in hands in his suit pockets. “You know, my wife and I were roommates before we got together.”
“Good for you,” I mutter.
He laughs again before getting pulled into a conversation with Coach Sadler, the team’s goalie coach.
When I glance over at Abby, she’s taking a picture of Emma posing with Bella and Maya, who are sitting with them. A second later, Ryker skates up to them. Emma grins and waves excitedly at him, then stands up on her seat and turns around to show him the bedazzled number seven on her jersey.
He chuckles, then grabs a puck, signs it, and tosses it over the glass to her. Abby catches it and hands it to Emma, who’s grinning wide.
Usually, I don’t pay attention to what’s going on in the stands. I’m so fixed on being as prepared as possible for the game we’re about to play. But it’s fun to have Abby and Emma here. Seeing how excited they are to attend their first professional hockey game reminds me of how fun this is. Yeah, it’s a job for me, and I take it seriously. But it’s also meant to be a good time.
“There’s that smile again,” Jason taunts.
I glare at him. “Shut up.”
Warmup ends, and we get ready for face-off. Once the first period kicks off, I’m locked in. I’m focused on how the players are performing on the ice, calling out line changes, and consulting with Jason on plays.
We’re almost halfway through the first period when ourguys manage to forecheck the opposing team, forcing a turnover. Xander takes possession of the puck and tears off toward their net. He fakes out the goalie before hitting the puck off the crossbar and into the net.
The home crowd cheers for the first goal of the game.
When I glance over at Abby and Emma, they’re on their feet, cheering. A second later, Abby looks at me and flashes the sexiest smile. She mouths, “Good job, Coach,” and flashes a double thumbs-up at me. I can’t help but chuckle and mouth back, “Thanks.”
A second later, Emma looks over and waves at me, a massive smile on her face. She jumps up and down and gives me a thumbs-up, just like her mom. Chuckling, I wave back at her.
An unexpected warm feeling wooshes through me. I think about what it would be like if Abby and Emma came to more games. If I got to see them waving at me and cheering me on.
That warmth burrows deep in my chest. It reminds me of how I felt when Nicole and Sophie would watch me when I was a player. It was the best feeling in the world, having my family in the stands, supporting me.
For a second, I wonder if it’s weird that seeing my friend with benefits attend one of the games I’m coaching is giving me those intensely warm and fuzzy feelings. Probably.
She’s just being supportive, like any good friend would. Don’t read too much into it.
Except Abby’s not just a friend. We’re sleeping together. I’m insanely attracted to her. Just one smile from her makes my heart race. Just one kiss from her makes me weak all over.
“Wow. Look at you. Laughingandsmiling? During a game?” Jason jokes, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I don’t even bother to tell him off. I’m so happy that Abby and Emma are here that I don’t even care.
“Congrats on the win tonight, Coach Porter. That was a heck of a showing.”
I tell the reporter during post-game press thanks.
“This is your fourth win in a row. What do you attribute your current hot streak to?” the reporter asks.
“Hard work. Playing to our strengths, but also not ignoring our weaknesses. The guys are also really finding their rhythm in their respective lines.”
“Sports media caught you smiling and laughing during the game,” another reporter asks. “What caused that?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Jason fighting a smile.
“I was just happy about how our guys played,” I say.
“That shot of you smiling is trending on social media,” another reporter says. “Have you seen it?”
