31. Cole
Cole
Four Months Later
“I just want to say a few words before you disperse for exit interviews and clean out your lockers.” Coach’s gruff voice commanded the attention of the locker room, where every member of the Surf from the past season sat at their assigned stall.
“You boys have worked hard this year, and you never gave up when faced with adversity. Whether it be a multi-goal deficit during a game, bad calls, or unexpected injuries.”
There was a nod to me, Crew, and a few other guys who’d been hurt over the past eight months.
“We might not have earned a spot in the playoffs, but our improvement from last season is unprecedented. We no longer sit at the bottom of the standings, and we no longer represent an easy win for the rest of the league. Not only that, but we were two games shy of having a winning record. That’s something we can build upon next year, and before you know it, we’ll be a legitimate threat in this league. ”
That elicited cheers from around the room, and even a shouted “Hell yeah!”
“Enjoy your summer break. Travel, get in a little training, and most importantly, don’t forget to wear a condom.”
Levi, Crew, Jagger, and I locked eyes, trying our hardest not to burst out laughing after having learned that our fearless leader was no stranger to an unplanned pregnancy.
With nothing left to say, our bench boss turned on his heel and exited.
While we gathered our personal belongings from our lockers, a member of the front office came to collect players one by one to speak with management.
“Any big plans with the kids this summer?” I asked Levi.
He hummed. “Thorne Tough’s first year has us tied to the area until the end of June, but after that, I’d like to take the family to Europe. None of them have ever been. Though I do worry about the lack of accessibility for Maisie in some of those old cities.”
I sucked in a hissing breath through my teeth. “Yeah, there are a lot of steps and cobblestone paths. But if there’s anyone who’s up for the challenge, it’s Maisie. That girl is resilient to a fault.”
Levi laughed. “You can say that again. It blows me away every day.” He stuffed spare clothes and a pair of sneakers into a duffle bag. “What about you guys?”
Tilting my head from side to side, I responded, “Haven’t really decided, honestly.”
“Nothing wrong with keeping your options open.”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
When I got home, I’d definitely be asking Bridget if she had a destination in mind that she’d always wanted to visit.
I really didn’t care where we went, so long as I was with her.
Stepping onto the patio, I found Bridget soaking in the sun on a lounger next to the pool, her delicious curves on full display in a high-waisted two-piece bathing suit. Cinder was in some kind of mesh kitty playpen beside her, in the shade of an umbrella.
When I reached where she lay, I bent down to dust a kiss over her lips. “Hey, beautiful.”
She released a blissful sigh. “Come join me?”
“You’ll never have to ask me twice.” I immediately dropped onto the seat beside her, linking my arms behind my head as I reclined.
Lifting her sunglasses, she surveyed me. “Summer break looks good on you.”
“A playoff run would look better, but I’ll take what I can get,” I teased.
“Maybe next year, baby.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.” I kissed my palm before lifting it to the sky.
Bridget turned on her side to face me. “I have something I want to show you.”
“Oh yeah?”
She dipped her chin, reaching toward a nearby table to retrieve her phone. Tapping on it, she handed it to me. “What do you think?”
Brows furrowing, I stared down at what appeared to be a legal document. “Articles of Incorporation?”
“Mm-hmm. For the Bennett Russell Memorial Fund.”
The phone fell to my lap, and I blinked at her. Throat closing up, I rasped, “What?”
“It’s a non-profit I started.” Her lips curved into a smile. “With a little help, of course.”
“A non-profit,” I repeated. “In Russ’s memory?”
“Yeah. The plan is for it to serve several purposes. To distribute hockey scholarships to kids in low-income households so that the sport my brother loved can become more accessible. And to offer financial support to families who are impacted by childhood cancer.”
All I could do was stare at the woman I loved in wonder. “Bridget, this is incredible.”
Her green eyes lit up. “You think?”
“Russ would be so proud. I know I am.”
Smirking, she teased, “Can I cash in that feeling of pride for a tax-deductible donation?”
My head fell back, laughter rolling up my throat. “You bet your ass you can.” I leaned over to kiss her again. “I would be honored to be the first to contribute.”
I felt her smile against my lips. “Thank you, baby.”
Cupping her cheek, I whispered reverently, “You amaze me every day.”
And by the grace of God, we had an infinite number of them that lay ahead.