Page 35 of Wildcat
Is that me? Hockey is my job, so yeah, it’s important. I love it, too, which makes it easy to focus on. But Scarlett doesn’t know me well enough to be making a judgment call like that, which tells me this isn’t about me.
“Your ex?”
“He is a Formula One driver.”
I nod slowly as I try to picture her with someone else. I don’t like it. “You came second to his career?”
“It was better for his image if I stayed out of the picture.”
She’s quiet, and I’m sorry I pushed her to talk to me. I didn’t mean to poke at old wounds, and I definitely didn’t want to end this date with her thinking of some other guy.
The ride to the arena is silent. I kill the engine, and she immediately goes for the door.
“Wait.” I place a hand on her thigh. Heat travels up my arm. She looks at my hand and I remove it. “You deserve to come first. Always. You’re right not to settle for less. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “You didn’t. It was just one night of fun with a stranger, right?”
I nod, but can’t seem to make the word come out of my mouth. It doesn’t feel like an accurate assessment at all.
After our afternoon practice, coach asks me to hang back.
“The A looks good on you,” he says.
“Thanks, Coach. It feels good.” And it does. We’re finding a rhythm with the new guys and I think we’ve got a great team that can win some games this year.
“I don’t know how to say this delicately, so I’m just going to shoot straight with you.”
I gulp. Oh shit. My first thought is he knows I slept with his daughter, but then I realize he’s far too calm.
He places both hands on his hips. “We’re looking good out here. Everyone is focused and excited.”
“But?”
One side of his mouth hitches up. “We’re in the pre-season bubble where everyone is dedicated and working hard, but soon enough that will fade. Last season was one drama after the other. The thing with Declan and the intern, then Ash getting a sex injury and missing two games.”
I almost laugh, but it’s clear coach is really worried.
“We had some unfortunate setbacks,” I say. “No one wants to win more than us.”
“You guys are young. I don’t expect you to be on all the time. I know you have lives outside of hockey, but when those things impact the team, I worry. Especially when it feels like we have something special here. This is maybe the most talented team I’ve ever worked with.”
A spark of pride fills my chest. I love playing hockey, but knowing you’re part of a team that has a chance to do big things is something special. “What can I do to help?”
“Look out for the guys. You’re steady and reliable.”
“You make me sound like a used car.” One corner of my mouth pulls up into a half-smile.
“You’re a good guy, Leo. Your head is on straight. Be a leader, on and off the ice, that’s all I’m asking.” He slaps me on the shoulder and squeezes. “If only they could all be as scandal-free as you.”
Nervous laughter escapes my lips as the weight of what he’s asking settles on my shoulders. He thinks he can trust me and he can—on the ice.
“See you tomorrow,” Coach says as he skates off, leaving me feeling like the biggest jerk of all time for having his trust and respect when I’m secretly lusting after his daughter.
Ash rode to the arena with me today and he’s waiting for me in the locker room.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asks when he sees me.
“Nothing. Tired, I guess.” I can’t get Coach’s words out of my head. I know I should have already had these feelings of guilt, but they were drowned out by the excitement of having Scarlett so close. I’ve been too focused on her to really think about what it’d mean for my relationship with Coach if he knew what happened. And what I want to keep happening.
