Page 49 of Cross Check Christmas
"Keep those edges sharp!" Owen demonstrates a tight turn that sends ice spraying. "You want to feel that bite into the ice."
Todd Jensen’s eyes are locked on the puck as he weaves through the cones. When he completes the drill without a single fumble, his face lights up like he just scored in Game 7.
"Did you see that, Coach?"
"Much better," I nod, remembering how my own coaches built me up. "Your control's improving. Try it again, but this time, keep your head up more."
Even Jake can't stop grinning as he perfectly executes a tape-to-tape pass.
"That's it!" I call out. "Now you're getting it!"
Owen skates up beside me. "They're not bad, Ellis. Just needed a little motivation."
I nod, watching Jake nail a wrist shot that would make any coach proud. "Yeah, I'm starting to get that."
When the bell rings, the kids are practically floating as they unlace their skates, phones out and snapping selfies.
"This was epic, Coach," Todd says, clutching his newly autographed stick. "Like, seriously epic."
"Yeah, yeah," I wave them off, trying not to smile. "Don't forget about those extra laps you promised."
Once the last teen disappears through the doors, still chattering about Owen's breakaway move, Sawyer slugs my shoulder.
"So, about that hot teacher…”
Owen laughs. “That was a queen’s gambit move, ditching you at the game."
I groan. "How much did Emily tell you?"
"Everything." Owen's grin could light up the rink. "Including how she spent half the night talking about you."
"Complaining about me, you mean."
"Maggie says she's totally into you," Sawyer chimes in, skating lazy circles around us. "Won't shut up about your stupid face."
"Thanks for the support, guys." I roll my eyes. "Really feeling the love here."
"Hey, any girl who can get under your skin like that?" Owen smirks. "She's either your soulmate or your nemesis. Maybe both."
"Emily says she turned bright red when your name came up," Owen adds. "And she kept asking if you made it home okay."
"While insisting she didn't care," Sawyer adds with a knowing look.
"So what's the game plan?" Sawyer asks, unlacing his skates. "Because watching you pine over Teacher Barbie is honestly painful."
"Guys, seriously, I don't need help with Colette." I gather up the pucks, tossing them into the bucket.
"Sure you don't." Owen sprawls across the bench like he owns it.
“Girls can smell desperation like sharks smell blood,” Sawyer says. “But lucky for you, we’re here to help.”
"Speaking of desperate," Griffin pipes up, his face taking on that hangry look that means we've got about ten minutes before he turns feral, “I was promised hot chocolate."
I check my watch. "Tucker's is just down the street. Best hot chocolate in Brookking Sound – he makes these little marshmallow snowmen that float on top."
"Finally," Griffin mutters. "I've been waiting all day.”
"You and your sweet tooth," Owen rolls his eyes.
