Chapter 4
Chapter Four
LYDIA
“How do you feel about our new coach?” Skylar asks.
We’re back in the locker room, waiting around for the press to come in to grill us about the coach announcement.
What do you think of Ms. Charles?
How do you think she’ll lead the team?
Are you excited for your new coach?
I can hear all the questions now.
“I think she’ll be great. She did a great job at Vermont,” Parker states.
“What happened to the guy from Detroit?” I ask. “I thought he was a shoo-in for the position.”
“Got an issue with Delaney?” Parker drops down into her seat, kicking her feet out and crossing them at the ankles.
“Not at all.”
“You said you knew her?” Skylar asks.
“You do?” Parker pipes up. “Did you play together on the national team?”
The door to the locker room bangs open. Reporters filter in. I recognize none of them. Having played in Boston for a few years, I got friendly with a few of them.
The ones that always gave you the soft questions after a hard loss. I liked them. They could read the room and give you the space you needed.
“How about we go out for drinks after this and I’ll fill you in?”
Parker nods and Skylar’s eyes sparkle. I have a feeling the three of us are going to become fast friends.
A few reporters spot the three of us and make a beeline toward us.
“Lydia Bishop. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dave Green with the Toronto Post. Welcome to Toronto.”
“Thank you.” I give him a smile as he pushes his phone closer to me to record the conversation.
“Let’s dive right into it. Having come from the Boston Fury, how are you going to adjust to a new team?”
I straighten, tucking a loose lock of blonde hair behind my ear.
“As it always is with a new team, there will be a learning curve. Having played against many of these women before I think will be a strength for us. We know each other’s moves and that will help us in creating a team that Toronto will be proud to cheer for. ”
“I know everyone in town is excited that we finally have a team,” he tells me.
“Toronto is synonymous with hockey, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. It’s about time you got a women’s team.”
He laughs. “Well, we’re all excited for it. And even more excited that they brought in Delaney Charles as the head coach. What are your thoughts on her?”
My thoughts on Delaney Charles as head coach? I haven’t been around her long enough to form that opinion.
Delaney Charles as my ex? I have a lot of thoughts on that subject. But I keep those to myself.
I clear my throat, gathering my thoughts. “I played with Delaney years ago, and she was a force to be reckoned with on the ice. I know she will bring that same passion and drive to her coaching.”
“Do you think it’ll be a benefit to you that you know her so well?”
I nod. “I do. I think her knowledge of the game will be an asset to the Rosebuds, and I’m looking forward to playing under her tutelage.”
“Thanks, Lydia. Welcome to Toronto.”
I smile back at the reporter. “Thank you. I’m excited to be here.”
He moves on to the next player, leaving me alone with Parker.
“Okay, there is definitely more to this story, and I want to hear it.”
I shrug a shoulder, going for casual. “We used to play together. That’s it. Not much else to tell.”
A smile spreads across her face. “Which means there is a story.”
Great. Now I have to figure out how to get her off my back.
Until the woman in question comes into the room.
Delaney
God, I’m nervous.
For the first time, I’m actually nervous. Butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach and I don’t think they’re ever going to leave.
I knew I was the woman for the job when I had the interview. When I got the call? I was elated.
All I ever wanted was this, and now it’s finally in my grasp.
Except for one small, minor detail.
Lydia Bishop.
My ex.
Fuck me.
I get the opportunity of a lifetime and one of the women I’m coaching is my ex?
Seriously, how does this happen?
Smoothing a hand down the front of my blazer, I make sure the Rosebuds pin is straight and step into the locker room.
A large, U-shaped space greets me. The lockers line the outside of the walls with an oversized picture of the Toronto skyline hanging above them.
This isn’t my first time in here. When I got the job, this was the first place I came. It was dark and quiet. Perfect for getting acquainted with my new home away from home.
Looking around, a few members of the Rosebuds press team are here to capture this moment. Having been at the collegiate level the last few years, I spent the time since accepting the position familiarizing myself with every member of the team.
Except one.
Lydia might be one of the most talented hockey players I’ve ever seen. Men or women. She is a once in a generation talent.
The Rosebuds are lucky to have her.
I take a deep breath, steeling my nerves because I can’t let myself show that she gets to me.
That’s the old Delaney that fell for Lydia. The new Delaney? She has no feelings about Lydia Bishop.
Lydia Bishop who?
See? I’ve got this.
“Hi, everyone,” I call out to the room. I don’t have to wait long for them to quiet down. All eyes move to mine.
Scanning the room, I take in every single woman here. I’m quick to move over Lydia, but I don’t miss the way her perfectly manicured brow rises ever so slightly.
“I know practice doesn’t officially start until next week, but I wanted to thank everyone for coming in early.
As you heard, I’m Delaney Charles, and I’ll be your coach this season.
As some of you might now, I came from Vermont, but before that, I used to play for the women’s national team.
I know that this is the first time a lot of you will be playing together on the same team, but you know each other from your time in the league.
Others, you got called up for the first time.
I’m excited for this group of women that we have and can’t wait to see what we can put together on the ice. ”
A few nod their heads at my words. It makes it easier to know they are listening. Keeping my eyes away from the corner Lydia is standing in, I continue.
“You’ll find that I’m pretty even-keeled. We’ll celebrate our wins, but I don’t want them going to your heads. Or our losses. I see everything, even wins, as a learning opportunity. We’ll work together as a team, and that means win or lose. If we can do that, we can go far.”
A few people clap and nod their heads.
“I’ll see you all Monday morning for practice.
I look forward to getting to know everyone better these next few weeks.
I’ll be in my office for the rest of the afternoon if anyone wants to stop in on their way out.
I have an open-door policy, so if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you. Now, let’s make this a great season.”
Heading out of the locker room, I take in the concrete walls as I head back to my office past old photos of the coliseum. A few logos from sponsors are splashed here and there. It might not be the newest rink, but I’m glad there’s now a women’s team here.
Opening the door, I head into the sanctuary that is my office. It’s one of the things I take great pride in wherever I coach.
I don’t want a stark office, one that doesn’t feel warm and welcoming.
When I told the owner and president this, they were all for it. Said it would make the women feel comfortable playing for me. I’m glad they were on board.
Instead of the drab white, I chose to paint the walls a light sage color to complement the berry-colored sofa.
A TV sits across from the couch, making it easier to watch film, while my desk faces the window that overlooks the main street.
Not a great view by any means—more concrete buildings—but it’s better than my last office where I was tucked away in the basement of the arena since it was shared with the men’s team.
A dry-erase board hangs next to the TV so we can work on plays as we watch them. An old jersey of mine is on the opposite side. One of the few tributes to my playing days.
“Well, well, well.”
Goose bumps ripple over my skin at the sound of that voice. One I used to know so well.
Spinning on my heel, I face the woman who I left all those years ago without a word.
Lydia Bishop.
I do everything in my power to keep my eyes on hers. I don’t need to see the rest of her to know how gorgeous she is. Even more so than when we first met.
“Hello.”
She steps into my office and crosses her arms over her chest. “Imagine my surprise when you walked into the room to be announced as the new head coach of the Rosebuds.”
Walking backward until I find my desk, I rest my ass on the edge of it, crossing my own arms.
“I didn’t think you’d take my call if I told you I was hired.”
I had the roster before I got here. It was with my official paperwork.
The contract that held the terms of my employment here—one that explicitly stated no fraternization with any of the players, many of whom I already know.
I studied more film and press on the ones I didn’t know than anyone should. But I wanted to know my players.
Lydia has gotten better since I last saw her play. It’s not hyperbole to say she was the best player in the league last year.
This time, I drink my fill. From the tight leather pants that showcase that ass of hers perfectly to the pink blouse she’s wearing.
Nope. Not going to think of how good she looks right now.
“I can’t ignore my coach, can I?” She quirks a brow at me. “Wouldn’t make me a very good team player.”
“I guess we’ll have to figure out how to work together then.”
Lydia takes a few steps into the room. A waft of citrus hits my nose. The same perfume she always used to wear. I can still see the clear glass with green liquid sitting on her dresser.
She drops her hands onto her hips. “I have no intentions of not working with you. I plan on winning the cup.”
“Good. Then we’re in agreement.”
“Good.”
“Great.” I smirk back at her. “I guess I’ll see you at practice on Monday?”
“What, don’t want to catch up?” Lydia tosses her long, blonde hair behind her shoulder.
“From what I can tell, you’ve been playing hockey these last few years. I think that’s all I need to know.”
She takes another step closer to me. “But what about you? I don’t know anything you’ve been doing since I last saw you.”
Recovering from my injury. Trying to find a new life for myself. Not think about you.
Normal things.
“Hockey,” I tell her.
“Well, I guess we have that in common then.”
“And now the Rosebuds.”
Lydia backs out of the office. After turning, she throws one last glance back at me. “I’ll see you around, Coach.”