Chapter Seven
Cole
Icould barely control my excitement. I got up at the crack of dawn the next morning, Monster energy drink in hand, and drove to the Carolina Panthers stadium.
When Jackson asked me if I wanted to come and play some hockey with him and some of the other players, I nearly cried with happiness.
This was what dreams were made of. Getting actual ice time with Wyatt Murray and Tom Olson?
Sign me up! Yes, please! Jackson was waiting for me when I pulled into the parking lot, a smile on his face and Maverick by his side.
“Good morning.” Jackson gave me a side hug, then Maverick moved in to grab me tightly. “Find the place okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah, sure, it was pretty easy.” I didn’t want to mention that I had been up an hour before I needed to be. Searching my maps app, making sure I didn’t get lost and embarrass myself.
“Here.” Maverick thrust a shaker bottle at me. “Don’t look at me like that, Cole. I make them for the boys all the time. I call it the banana split. You’re going to need it for the workout you’re going to get today.”
I took a tentative sip and nearly moaned as the flavor hit my taste buds. Banana, coconut, and pineapple exploded against my tongue. “Okay, wow, can you make this for me every morning? This slaps.” I grinned.
“Told you.” Mav beamed happily.
Jackson wrapped his arm around Maverick’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s head inside. The guys are waiting.”
And I happily followed my uncles inside the facility, sipping my smoothie.
Maybe I should consider asking Maverick for the recipe.
I wasn’t too big on making smoothies, but this tasted like dessert in a cup and not healthy at all.
Just as I opened my mouth to ask him if it was hard to make, I saw all the hockey players out on the ice.
And it wasn’t just current players like Wyatt Murray.
Asher Andrews was there. Andy. And a few of the other Carolina Panthers teammates were laughing and shooting the puck as they laughed and joked with one another.
I was in awe of all of them. I was just a kid who dreamed of going pro while playing for the Boston University college team, and here I was, playing against some of the best guys in the business. Or former, if you counted Asher.
Excitement built inside me. This was real. This was really happening. And I couldn’t wait to get on the ice and show them all what I was made of. That I was born to do what they were doing right now.
“I’ll show you to the locker room so you can suit up.
” Jackson motioned for me to follow him.
We said goodbye to Mav, who went to settle in with Leo, and as I walked into the Panthers locker room, I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking into my future.
A future I had been working on my entire life.
It was empty now. The season had ended after the Panthers won the cup. There were no jerseys hanging or rowdy players chirping one another as they got dressed for a game. But I could picture it. I could feel what the energy would feel like. And I wanted that. I needed to be part of it.
“You’ll get that,” Jackson assured me, as if he could read my mind. “Here.” He pointed at the gear that was arranged on the seat. “Wyatt made sure you were all set. I’m going to gear up myself.”
My brows shot up. “Really?” I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen Jax put on his goalie pads.
“You act like I’m old or something, kid. Just because I’m their coach doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy playing the game.” He chuckled. “Now get dressed so we can go beat their asses.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
“NICE ASSIST, KID!” Jordan Mack smacked me on the back after he scored his goal. “I see a lot of your dad in you.”
I warmed with pride at his comment. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
I tried not to get choked up, but I couldn’t help myself.
I suddenly wished my father was here. Playing on the ice with us.
I knew he was having a great time on his honeymoon with Dean now that they had arrived in Hawaii; they had texted me some pictures this morning and promised to call tomorrow, but I missed him. Dad would love to be a part of this.
“You good?” Wyatt nudged me lightly.
I nodded. “Great, actually.”
“Everyone, take a break!” Jax called out and then skated over to where I stood, lifting his mask. “Are you really okay? You can sit down if you want.”
I looked up at him, my uncle, taking in the way his auburn curls were smashed against his head. “I was just...” I coughed softly. “My dad would have loved to have been part of this. I guess I’m just sorry he had to miss it.”
“Yeah, he would, but I promise we can do it again once he gets back. I have connections.” Jackson squeezed my shoulder. “Is he enjoying his honeymoon?”
I smiled. “Don’t act like Dean hasn’t texted Maverick a million times since they left. He probably knows way more than I do. You’re probably getting a lot more information about their trip than I am.”
“I know, I just wanted to make sure you were in the loop.” Jax chuckled. “You’re an amazing hockey player, Cole. A lot of teams have been watching you. The Panthers included.”
His admission surprised me. “Have you heard anything?”
I hadn’t been drafted this year, but I was hoping that next year Boston would call me up.
I wanted to be a Terrier just like my dad.
It had been my dream for as long as I could remember.
I practiced as much as humanly possible, and if Jackson had heard things, maybe it was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears I had put into it.
“My lips are sealed.” He made a zipping motion over his mouth. “But just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s working.”
Excitement bubbled inside me. “Thank you,” I murmured. “Uh, I do have a question, though. Do you know anywhere around town I could take someone out on a date?” I could feel myself start to sweat even more under all my gear.
“What kind of date are we talking about?”
“Dinner first, then something fun after?”
Jackson grinned. “There’s a drive-in movie place the boys sometimes go to. They have burgers and fries along with all the usual movie-type snacks. You have to bring a blanket to sit on, no chairs allowed, but it’s a lot of fun. That’s basically dinner and a movie all in one.”
“That sounds really great. I want to take Reed out on an actual date. We have plans tonight, but this would be just the two of us. Alone. Without anyone to bother us.” And the moment the words tumbled from my mouth, I clamped my lips shut.
I blushed from the tips of my toes all the way to the roots of my hair. Jesus, way to play it cool, Cole.
Jackson patted my shoulder. “You really like Reed.”
Understatement. I had basically admitted to thinking he was the one last night. “Uh, I do. And we haven’t even officially kissed or anything. I’m hoping to change that tonight.”
I glanced over to where Maverick sat, and he waved happily at me. I noticed that Saint had joined him and Leo. I let out a breath that I wasn’t even aware that I was holding.
“It’s not that I’m ashamed. I just...I really like him, and I want to see where this is going between us. We had a thing between us before, when we were in high school, and when we lost touch, I was kind of devastated. I don’t want to scare Reed away again.”
We both glanced over at the sound of voices.
All the guys had come out of the locker room, laughing and gently shoving one another.
I wanted that. To be part of a team that could relax and have a good time on and off the ice.
Although Asher was retired, he had played with both Jax and Wyatt for years.
He seemed to get along great with everyone, too.
I liked my college teammates, but there was something about being a professional player.
You worked for months in hopes of winning that cup.
And I wanted my chance to prove I was just as good as they were. That I could play with the big dogs
“I think if you really want this to work, you should talk with Reed. Let him know what your intentions are. Miscommunication can be a huge problem in a relationship.” Jax grinned, then skated off toward where Tom was waving to him.
“Jackson,” I called out to my uncle as he skated over to his brother. “Thanks for the pep talk. And for the help for the date tonight.”
He gave me a quick nod. “Any time. That’s what family is for.”