Page 6 of Hot Stuff
“You.” He shakes his head. “This is crazy. Baton Rouge?”
A grin splits my face.
“No one is going to believe a hockey franchise in Baton Rouge is going to be successful.”
“They’re wrong. We”—I wave my hand between us—“are going tomakethem wrong.”
“How do I factor into this?”
“You’re going to lead the team?—”
“I can’t”—he swallows hard—“I can’t play.”
“I don’t want you toplay.” Leaning forward, I lock my gaze with his. “I want you tocoach.”
He nods, his gaze turning thoughtful. “Who have you got lined up for head coach?”
I have to laugh. This man, with all his skills as a player, a strategist, a competitor, can’t see his place on this team is not to assist. “You.”
His genuine shock keeps the smile on my face. I’ve known from the moment I heard about Walker’s injuries, he was our man and, when I talked it over with Blake and Nat, they agreed with me.
Cami doesn’t have an opinion; she doesn’t even really like sport. Other than watching Blake play over the years, I’m pretty sure my best friend hasn’t been to a sporting event in her life.
Before we’d locked on to Walker for our head coach, we’d been struggling to come up with someone for the position. Blake doesn’t want the role, in spite of having the skill set for it, and no amount of badgering on our part can convince her otherwise.
“Me?”
Nodding, I wait for him to get his head around what I’m asking.
“You can’t possibly think?—”
“No. We don’tthink. Weknow.”
Shaking his head, he says, “I appreciate the vote of confidence, I do, but I’ve never coached in my life.”
“You’ve been captain of your team for the last three years, before that you were assistant captain for four. You spend every off season helping with numerous clinics the country over. You’ve been instrumental in leading whatever team you’ve played on to finals and championships over the years.” I cock my head and raise an eyebrow. “Should I go on?”
“No. I know what I’ve done. Your knowledge surprises me though. You don’t strike me as a hockey fan.”
“I’m more than a fan. One of my best friends comes from a family who could arguably be called hockey royalty and has played in three Olympics. Two gold medals, one silver.”
“Okay, so you might know a bit about the game but how much do you know about owning a team and not just owning it,buildingit. You’re starting from scratch. The ground up.”
“Which is why I’m setting those foundations with solid footings. And you, Walker Alcott, are my head coach. You’re the man I believe, the Rogues GM and assistant coach believe, will ground the team and use your considerable skills and knowledge to lead us to the finals our first year in the league.”
“The finals? Jesus fuck, woman, you’re asking a lot. The impossible.”
“Here’s where I tell you I love a good challenge. It’s why I’m offering you a bonus for the first year we play. You get us to the finals, and I’ll pay you double your salary. I’ve already written the check.”
“I haven’t said yes to the job.”
“I’m confident you will.”
“How can you be? I’ve got no record. No experience.”
“You don’t need on-job experience for this. You love the game, live and breathe it, you have the drive to succeed and the determination and dedication to get where you want,whatyou want. And, right now you need a new focus. Something where you can capitalize on the years you’ve devoted to hockey.”
“I know how to play.”
