Page 112 of Fall For Me
We’re up by one, and the final minutes feel like a million years. This team is throwing everything they have at us. Sean stops shot after shot while bodies pile in front of him. My heart bangs against my ribs as the puck pinballs off the players’ skates and slides dangerously close to our goal.
“Clear it!” I yell.
Sticks clack together as both teams fight for the puck. Hayes snatches it up and snaps it back, launching it down the ice as the horn blows.
Game. Freaking. Over.
Emotionally drained, I collapse onto the bench and bury my head into my hands while the guys celebrate on the ice.
“You did good, mi amor.”
My head jerks up at the sound of Sean’s voice. He stands over me, dripping with sweat.
“Is it safe to call you that now, or are you still my coach?”
Relief settles over me, and I stand, throwing my arms around his neck.
“I thought you were mad at me,” I mumble against his chest.
“I was . . . but then I thought about what you said and realized you were right. If you decide to do this, you have to separate emotions, which means I need to learn to do the same.”
Standing on my toes, I tilt my head up and pull him down for a kiss.
“I love you,” I say, my lips brushing against his.
“Te amo.”
Aiden slides in beside us, giving Sean a handshake, and a slap on his shoulder. “Sorry about what I said, man.”
Sean shrugs. “I might’ve done the same.”
“No, you wouldn’t have,” Aiden laughs.
“Alright well . . . I’m gonna leave you two to make up,” I tell theboys. “Let Carter know he can take it from here; I need to get Jade and Granny home.”
I give Sean one last kiss before heading up to the accessible seating area. Jade is asleep on Granny’s lap when I approach them, and Granny looks like she is ready to hit the bed as well.
“Granny’s been dozing off. I think the excitement took the energy right out of her and Jade. You did great tonight.” Aspen hugs me. “Thank you so much for taking over.”
“Well, you have Dad to thank. He’s a big fat fucking faker!”
“No, he didn’t!” She leans back, releasing me, her eyes bugging out of their sockets.
“Yes. He did,” I say, gripping the handles of Granny’s wheelchair and steering her and a sleeping Jade down the aisle.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
I glance at Aspen as she walks in step beside me. She looks sincere.
“It’s done and over with.” I shrug. “If I’m being one-hundred percent honest, I enjoyed coaching.”
We come up to the elevators, and she presses the down button. “Does that mean I get to hire the first female head coach to ever grace the NHL?”
“It means I’ll give it more serious thought and have an answer for you when I’m ready.”
That’s the best I can give her right now. As the elevator chimes and the doors open, I wheel Granny and Jade in.
“Take your time. We still have the rest of the season,” she says, locking eyes with me. “I love you, sis.”
