Chapter 17Victor
Chapter Seventeen
Victor
The buzz of my phone jerks me awake, a continuous vibration against the nightstand. Groggy and disoriented, I fumble for the damn thing, half-convinced one of my properties is going up in flames. But nope, it's just the guys. Figures. They're relentless when they've got ammo to rib me with, and yesterday's coaching gig is like a machine gun's worth.
"Morning, Sunshine," reads the latest text that pops up on my phone, dripping with sarcasm so thick you could choke on it. I rub the sleep from my eyes, knowing full well this chat's gonna be one big roast at my expense.
Before diving into the masochism that'll be that conversation, I decide to check my emails. Maybe something there will salvage my morning. Updates, updates, blah, blah—stuff that can wait. Then, a glimmer of positivity: Jenna's email. "Knew you had it in you, Victor!" she writes, and her words are like a shot of espresso straight to my heart. The woman's got faith in me, bless her.
Next up, a note from Tim. He's all business, calculating how my stint with the kids might charm the board into swinging my way. And then, an interview request from a local journalist. That's worth a second look. I flag it and take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next.
"Alright, let's see what you got," I mutter and tap back into the group chat. My thumb hovers over the screen, ready to scroll through the endless jabs about yesterday's unexpected dive into nostalgia on the ice.
I swipe through the digital barrage from Roman, Sebastian, and Lawrence. Their initial texts are as predictable as a rerun of an old sitcom.
Roman
Saw you on TV, Coach Stone! Paid for the special broadcast and everything.
Lawrence
Never pegged you for a bleeding heart.
Sebastian
Local hero, huh?
Roman
Got to say, Vic, you were rocking the dad vibes hard.
Lawrence
What would you even know about dads, Rome?
Roman
Nothing about dads. Tons about daddies
Lawrence
Should we start calling Vic 'Daddy Stone'?
Roman
Oo, I'd definitely let Vic be my daddy.
Could use some of that tough love coaching myself.
The banter is relentless, a ping-pong match of mockeries bouncing back and forth. I roll my eyes, but there's a small tug at the corner of my mouth as I'm reluctantly reminded of the warmth I felt last night, surrounded by cheering kids and a sense of belonging I've long tried to bury.
Victor
Alright, enough.
Roman
Oh we haven't even started to slow down
Lawrence
I think Daddy Stone picked up a mommy.
Did you see the woman behind him in the stands?
We saw you looking at her throughout the game.
Roman
Daddy Stone gracing the bleachers with more than coaching advice, huh?
Lawrence
Didn't peg you for the hot mom prowler type, but I gotta say, respect
Roman
I think pegging is a little advanced for Vic.
Victor
She's no one. Just one of the kid's moms.
Roman
Come on, man, we saw that look.
It's about time you jumped back into the dating pool.
Your love life is about as frozen as the ice.
I VOTE FOR HOCKEY MOMMY.
Lawrence
I support Vic banging a hot mom.
Sebastian
Definitely didn't pick you for the maternal type.
Victor
Guys, seriously. It's nothing like that.
But they're like sharks with a scent of blood; once they've got something on me, they won't let go.
Roman
Fine, don't tell us. We'll just assume it's true love.
Lawrence
I just hope he manages to get laid soon.
Victor
As I said: She's just a mom, whose kid is on the team.
And for the record, she's against the development.
Sebastian
Perfect for you, Vic. You need someone who won't just roll over.
Roman
Wait, so does that mean he's not getting laid?
Lawrence
Prolly not.
But it sounds like a match made in heaven.
Roman
Or hell.
"Or somewhere in between," I mutter under my breath, knowing they're not entirely wrong. A woman who could hold her own against me might be just what I've been avoiding all these years—someone to challenge the walls I've built, brick by icy brick.
I stop that line of thinking immediately. I don't need distractions right now. And Chestnut--Avery, I remind myself--could very well become just that.
Victor
Whatever, guys. Meeting time.
Can't chat all day with you clowns.
Roman
Ooh, a meeting? With the hot mom?
Lawrence
Clearly a date.
I sigh, realizing there's no use in hiding who it is I'm meeting with. I never hide anything from the guys and they never hide anything from me.
Victor
I'm meeting with her for breakfast to discuss the development.
And no, it's not a date.
Lawrence
Sure, sure.
You just keep telling yourself that.
Roman
Go get 'em, tiger.
Victor
Later.
The buzzing finally stops as I pocket my phone and head to the bathroom to get ready. It's going to be an interesting morning, to say the least.
As I go through the motions of dressing, there's a weird tightening in my chest about the meeting. I did ask her and when I did, the development wasn't actually on my mind. As I take a last look at myself in the mirror I remind myself that it doesn't matter what my motivation for asking her was. She's the enemy and leading the charge against the development and I'm not going to mess up this opportunity to try and change that.
And in the meantime, maybe I'll enjoy the woman's company over some coffee. Not that I'd ever admit that to the guys. They'd never let me live it down.