Chapter 16 Asher
ASHER
Glancing at my watch as I stand between the bench and ice, I’m well aware that I’m going to play nice and let the team go early from practice.
They’ve earned it after our win, but our best forward is on a game-to-game decision, as he was cleared to play after an upper-body injury, but I’m not convinced he is ready for the ice.
I’ve had to call up someone from the minors, and that line needs to practice.
But really, why am I going to end this practice early? Logistics. I need to get to Gracie’s doctor’s appointment. Missing the last one was not what I wanted, but this is the life we have to juggle during hockey season.
With Gracie settled now at my place, I was quick to notice a few things.
She never said it, but I know that she was disappointed that I missed the last appointment.
Sometimes she hides behind the excuse that she understands because it is what her mom experienced when her dad was coaching.
I do believe her, but deep down, I know she wishes that in this moment it was different.
The only thing I’m confident about is that she constantly reiterates that her childhood was amazing, even if her dad’s schedule was not ideal, and it will be the same for our child.
I’m trying my best, and no matter what, I’ll be there today. I want to be there.
Checking the goalies who are busy doing drills with the goaltending coach, I scan my vision back to our captain who is discussing a few techniques with our call-up. None of us are blind; when you are making your major league debut, then you have nerves.
“Asher, do you want to go over the video of Tampa?” My assistant coach hands me a tablet, as he’s been busy analyzing who we are playing next.
“Sure, but I’m going to have to run in ten.” The smile playing on my lips that I’m trying to hide is a fail.
The secret is slowly spilling out. At my meeting the other day with our GM, I had to break the news because if the baby comes early, then the date comes right smack dab around the draft in June.
While Vaughn Madden, who has been our GM for years, didn’t seem to make a big deal about it, I’m not sure he would show how he has to change some piece of the puzzle in June.
He’s always valued input from the head coach, and it’s my first year with the team.
Yet, guilt didn’t cross my mind, not even once.
For a baby that was completely unexpected, I’m feeling how she or he is a game changer in my life, Gracie too. She is the perfect one to scare any of my stress away, and I look forward to returning home every single time.
Over my assistant coach’s shoulder, I see Declan appear and stand by the entrance. He crosses his arms and lifts his chin in a nod, suggesting that I should join him.
I hand the tablet back. “Sorry. Just give me a moment.”
Walking to Declan, his tiny smile should be disconcerting to some, but not me. I have a hunch about what this conversation is going to be.
“Congratulations,” he tells me.
A smirk tilts on my mouth. “I figured that Vaughn would tell you.”
Declan tips his head to the side. “We’re a family, this team, so good news spreads fast. But actually, it was the grandfather-to-be. He burst out his excitement over a scotch last night at dinner.”
We asked them to wait, but it was useless because Gracie herself let it slip the other day when she was fitting one of her mother’s friends at the boutique.
My droll smile is mixed with amusement. “You told me to keep sponsors happy,” I joke.
Declan slaps his hand on my shoulder, grinning. “Well, Hudson sure as hell isn’t going to stop sponsorship if his future son-in-law is the coach. Might even be in our favor. It also means that we can never fire you.”
We both chuckle. Although funny, there may be some deep truth to that.
“He’s just a sponsor. It’s not like he is the team owner and his daughter is with the new guy on the team.” Why did that fly out of me? It’s in a moment of laughter, and I wasn’t thinking.
Declan stills, and his jaw tightens. “What did you just say?”
“Nothing. A bad joke.” And probably covering my ass because even I fear one day it might be a reality that we all have to face.
Declan swings his gaze to the ice and locks on the player just traded to our team, the one with not the greatest reputation. Then slowly his steely look returns to me. His fear is replaced by a bright fake smile. “Theoretically, right? Anyhow, did Vaughn also talk to you about potential trades?”
Inhaling a deep breath, I hate this predicament that I might find myself in. “He is the GM, I’m the coach. If you want to trade for my brother, then that is your prerogative. He will be just a player to me. Just like Tyler is.”
Declan crosses his arms. “Okay. Just checking. You will obviously keep this under wraps.”
“No need to say that.” I can’t discuss this with my brother because then it really can mess up any future team changes.
“Well, congratulations again.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to get going, Gracie has a doctor’s appointment. The coaching staff can handle the guys.” I hike my thumb behind me.
Declan whistles in concern. “Might want to leave ASAP. The snow that started an hour ago is really coming down. I’m actually surprised nobody from the front office told you guys. If it holds up like they say it will, then there will be problems with flights later.”
“Shit.” My only issue with that sentence is that I’ll miss the appointment. “Off I go then.”
I trot back to the bench to grab my coat. While I’m swinging on my coat, Tyler brakes on his skates in front of me on the other side of the bench.
He carefully looks around because the team, including myself if I’m honest, sometimes forget that we are related. “Congratulations.” My eyes bug out, waiting for an answer to a question he already knows as I zip up. “Both our parents were at dinner at our aunt’s house.” His face turns lopsided.
“How bad?”
“Like five minutes in, probably. I don’t think anybody needed alcohol to let the news get out.” Of course, it’s not only Gracie’s family failing on the keeping-it-cool level.
Quickly glancing at my watch, I feel the urgency. “Sounds about right. Thanks, though. I’m leaving for an appointment, so there will probably only be a few more drills before you guys can go. Apparently, the snow is coming down outside.”
He skates off, and I nearly run out. The moment I open the door from the rink, I feel screwed.
The fresh level of snow is soft, but there is a layer on the road as more flakes fall. I make it to the car and start the engine to warm up, and I grab my scraper to push snow off the windows. The moment I’m back in my car, I call Gracie on the Bluetooth.
She picks up instantly. “Hey, everything okay? I’m here.”
“Here? The appointment isn’t for another twenty minutes.”
“But I like to be on time, and the roads meant driving slower.” I’m thankful, in a way, because she is in the waiting room and no longer on the road driving where it is too dangerous.
Carefully, I drive out of the parking lot with the realization that I won’t be topping twenty miles on the road. There is no way that I’ll make it on time.
“I’m in the car, but I doubt I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Oh.”
She is 100% disheartened.
“I’m going to try. Maybe ask if they can wait?”
“Asher,” she grumbles. “We’re not royalty, and there are other people with an appointment, too.”
I’m careful as I turn but still my car swerves slightly. “I’m doing my best. I don’t want to miss this.” I’m already furious at mother nature.
“I hope not.” Oh fuck, she sounds miserable and sad. This is the worst-case scenario because we’ve been talking about the appointment all week. She even booked it knowing it wasn’t a game day.
All I can do is beg for a miracle and hope the local property taxes here means there is a goddamn snowplow doing its job right now.
Already I’m fifteen minutes late, and I’m running on adrenaline. This can’t be happening. I can’t bear to miss this. Not only to be there for Gracie but also the baby. They are a package deal. I’m also curious, as I haven’t been to an appointment.
The doctor’s office is on the other side of the red light at the intersection, but I’m relying on the three cars in front of me to drive ahead. If I thought I was going at a snail’s pace, then I can safely say that they are even slower. In the end, they too need to be safe.
It feels like forever before I manage to reach the parking lot, but then I need to search for a spot because there are few and my car is too big. Finally, I succeed, but running to the entrance isn’t an option, as the snow is also icy.
This all feels like another power is testing me.
Even when I make it through the sliding doors and straight to reception, I still feel that the finish line isn’t here yet.
Reaching the desk almost panting, which says a lot because I’m fit, means this is a crisis taking its toll both mentally and physically. “I’m here for an appointment for Gracie Arrows.” I’m out of breath, and the young receptionist in a uniform stares at me impassively.
“Right. The husband.”
“Yes.” I don’t feel the need to correct her. And wait, did Gracie call me that?
“She’s already in, but you can go down the hall to the second door on the right.”
Running straight ahead, I don’t care that I burst the door to the examination room open to find Gracie is already lying on the examination table with the doctor preparing a few items.
Gracie smiles brightly when she sees me.
“Did I miss it?” I finally ease.
She holds out her hand, inviting me to join her. “You’re just on time. We were in luck and the woman before us took longer than planned.”
Blowing out a sigh of relief, I run my hands through my hair. “Thank fuck.”
The doctor pauses and looks at me, probably due to my choice of words, but she smirks to herself. “Believe it or not, you are not the first to be late. Now, pull up a chair and we’ll get started.”