Page 33 of Checking All Her Notes
“This is how I normally am.”
Monica’s smile tightens. “Maybe with a bit more energy?”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Jude catches my eye and glares.
“Smile, Bruiser,” I whisper.
“I am.”
“That’s a threat.”
“Same difference.”
The kids arrive and the chaos begins immediately. Emma’s wearing her full hockey gear plus a tutu. Rusty brought drumsticks for some reason. Lily and Kayla are wearing matching jerseys but opposite colored helmets, which defeats the entire purpose of their mother’s color-coding system.
“Alright, everyone!” Monica calls. “We’re going to film Coach Jude helping you with basic skating. Just be yourselves!”
Being themselves turns out to be a disaster.
Within five minutes, one kid falls trying to skate backward and takes out two others like bowling pins. Another tries to hit the puck with the triangle beater from music class because he “thought it would work better.” And somehow, Rusty slams into the boards so hard he triggers the sprinkler system.
Water rains down on half the rink.
The camera crew scrambles to protect their equipment. Kids are shrieking and laughing. Monica looks like she’s reconsidering her career choices.
I’m off to the side, doubled over, laughing so hard I can’t breathe.
Jude just stands there in the middle of the chaos, water dripping from his hair, and deadpans directly to the camera, “This is why I play defense.”
Even Monica laughs at that.
They get the sprinklers turned off eventually. Towel down the equipment. Try again.
This time it goes better. Jude works with Emma on her stance. Helps Rusty with his grip. Shows the twins how to pass the puck back and forth. He’s patient and clear and surprisingly good at this. When one of the smaller kids gets frustrated and wants to quit, Jude crouches down and says something that makes the kid smile and try again.
The cameras catch all of it.
Afterward, Monica corners us both near the bench.
“That was perfect!” she gushes. “We’re turning this into a commercial for the league’s new community initiative.”
Jude looks horrified. “I didn’t sign up for that.”
“You smiled on film for the first time in recorded history,” I tell him. “They’re not letting that go.”
“We want to use the footage of you teaching that six-year-old how to hold a stick,” Monica continues, “while Sophie counts beats in the background. It’s gold. Pure gold.”
“What’s the tagline?” I ask, because I can see Jude’s about to bolt.
Monica beams. “Coach Bruiser: Where Heart Meets Ice.”
I lose it. Just completely lose it. I’m laughing so hard I have to sit down.
Jude stares at me. “You told them about the nickname.”
“I absolutely did not!”
“Finn did,” Monica admits cheerfully. “But it’s perfect! It’s tough but approachable. Masculine but caring.”
