Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SKYLAR
We’re at the practice rink on a Sunday. None of us knew when the kids skate event would be until two days ago. Edna tells us where to go and when, and our days slide into each other. Too often, I need to check my phone for the date because I have no idea what day it is.
I will say though, that our routine is altered for the better with Koen in our lives.
Unfortunately, we’ll have to push back tubing in the snow due to the schedule conflict, but we’re all looking forward to teaching kids to skate today.
There are going to be twenty kids, which is just enough for chaos if we don’t have enough people to help manage things.
“Help,” Edna hisses, moving fast on her feet. Thankfully, she’s wearing sneakers today instead of her own form of knives on her feet as she rushes over.
“Where’s the fire?” Koen asks easily.
This is why he’s the captain. As much as he hides away from people, he doesn’t shirk from his responsibilities.
“Apparently the other guys who were going to be here today all have food poisoning. They went out after the game last night, and they’re dying today,” she sighs. “I spoke to Havers, and he sounded rough. Puke on the ice and kids don’t mix well.”
Rhodes makes a face and shakes his head emphatically. I think the only time I haven’t watched him sympathetically puke after someone else was when I forced Koen to puke up the drugs in his drugged drink.
“They don’t,” I reply. “Are we on our own today?”
It’s nine in the morning and our kids skate begins in half an hour. Juggling that many kids may not be the safest thing we’ve ever done.
“We’re going to use the phone tree,” Edna says. “Koen, tell them we need at least another two people to help cover. Three would be ideal, but we can’t be picky. Coach Weightman could fill in if necessary, but his patience won’t survive this many little people.”
“No it won’t,” Koen says, appearing horrified by the thought. “I’ll start the text chain now.”
Edna takes Princess Sunny from Rhodes, cooing softly to her as we walk toward the lockers to grab our skates. We’ll be skating in our sweats today, and we have pads for the kids available as they learn how to fall.
Koen went over his plan for teaching the kids, and it reminds me of how he rolls out plays for the team. It’s well thought out with room to pivot. I’m completely enthralled by his mind.
“We have people on the way, but we’ll be starting on our own,” Koen grunts as we walk toward the rink with guards on the blades of our skates. “The team will figure it out.”
“It’s like a surprise,” I snort as Koen hides a smile.
“At least I like kids,” he shrugs. “It could be worse.”
Koen removes his guards and steps out onto the ice to glide toward the group of kids Edna is with. Some of them are here early with their parents, and they’re giving Princess Sunny tons of love.
Rhodes and I skate across to join them, smiles on our faces because who can’t love the kids that adore our puppy?
“What’s her name?” a little girl asks with wide eyes.
“I named her Princess Sunny,” Rhodes says easily.
“Wow,” she whispers. “I love that!”
“Me too,” he says with a grin. “I went to the shelter and I had to bring her home. Ah, you can do that when you’re an adult.”
Her mom stifles a chuckle, aware Rhodes is trying really hard not to get into trouble.
“Why is she a princess?” a little boy asks.
These kids are between the ages of three and five, so we’re going to tread carefully here.
“She gets all the cuddles she wants, princess treatment, and all the toys she could ever want,” Koen replies. “She’s our pack’s princess. Who’s excited to skate today while Edna hangs out with the princess?”
“Me!” the kids squeal.
I don’t know why I was worried, because Koen responded perfectly.
After a team effort from both parents and players to get skates and pads on the kids, we’re ready to start.
Climbing up the step, Koen begins the class.
“They say baby steps are the building blocks to walking, and the same goes for skating,” he says. “You’re going to hold onto the side wall for balance, and then step down onto the ice.”
Each of them follow him out, and then we’re showing them how to walk and fall in their skates.
“What do we do if we lose our balance and think we’re going to fall, Rhodes?” Koen asks.
“Oh no!” Rhodes yells, dropping into a deep squat. “The closer you are to the ice when you do fall, the better. It’ll reduce your chances of hurting yourself. It might still hurt because the ice is hard, but that's how we learn, right?”
There are few nervous glances at his words, but the kids nod. Olsson and O’Neil join us on the ice fifteen minutes later, and it allows us to break up into smaller groups. This makes it less stressful, and also helps to move forward with our lessons too.
By the end of the class, the kids are shooting pucks at Rhodes so he can block them, giggling at the way he dives for pucks that clearly aren’t anywhere near him. The kids had a fucking blast, and I’m starving.
This was a lot of fun.
“Did you see? Those parents were completely locked in,” Koen notices as we’re driving home. “None of them left while we were skating, and while I could hear the cringe when one of the kids fell, it was clear the parents were willing to let them learn. This was fun.”
“They’re lucky,” I say. “It was nice to be around kids who don’t have completely fucked up pasts.”
“Edna didn’t choose kids from wealthy families for this,” Rhodes says. “Those also weren’t their biological parents, but foster parents.”
“I wouldn’t have had any idea,” Koen murmurs.
“They all looked like good people,” Rhodes says. “Being in the system fucking sucks.”
“It does,” I admit. “Rhodes and I spent some time in the foster system. Different towns, but both shitty options. We were too wild for most people so we were shuttled around a lot.”
“I kind of wondered about that, but I didn’t want to pry,” Koen says.
“Baby, if you have a question, ask,” Rhodes says, rolling his eyes.
Princess Sunny is fast asleep in the seat next to Koen, and he pets her head as he thinks about that.
“You said you were in and out of foster care,” he says slowly. “Why?”
“My dad was a crack head, and my mother was killed one night walking home from a nursing shift. She was mugged,” Rhodes says.
“My mom was a saint, and did everything she could to keep a roof over my head, but shit went south quickly after she died. Foster care pulled me out of the home when I was twelve, after my father beat the hell out of me when I was protecting my sisters. My siblings went into care soon after, but my sisters were adopted fairly quickly. I caught a growth spurt when I was fifteen, and we avoided each other when he’d see me. ”
Rhodes doesn’t include the fact that he killed him one night when his dad was high out of his mind. The man told Rhodes he wished he was dead instead of his mother. He was the first person Rhodes ever killed. Sometimes, it still bothers him, but I remind him it’s for the best.
Rhodes and his siblings all deserved better.
“As I said, I don’t speak to my brother. However, my sisters are now happy, married, and I paid off their student loans when I started making money. They haven’t had kids yet, but they’re thinking about it. I’m trying not to rush them,” Rhodes says with a deep chuckle.
“I’m an only child and an orphan,” I add, knowing Koen will ask.
It’s better simply to get it over with. “My parents got into a car crash when I was about five. I went to a boys home in South Carolina, and I joined every club possible to attempt to stay out of trouble. It doesn’t mean it always helped, because I still got into shit. ”
“That explains Tilly,” Koen says.
“We link up with charity organizations in whatever new city we land. Edna has been keeping up busy for the moment, so that’s taken a back seat for now. We’ll get to it,” I promise.
“It’s not like you’re not giving back to the community,” Koen reminds me. “I want to put together a sports program in Lakeview, but it feels like too big of a task to do alone. We’re a smaller city, which means we have less government money for community programs.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re not alone,” Rhodes grunts. “I think we have some work to do during the off season. It’ll be the best time to start fundraising for it.”
“Are you serious?” Koen asks, wide eyed.
“Ah, yeah,” I reply. “Of course. The three of us know the importance of having community around us growing up. I think it’s a great way to give back. We’ll do some research on the best way to attack this and make it happen.”
“We’re not here for decoration,” Rhodes reminds Koen as I park the car. “If you want to do something, then we’re doing it together. I mean, unless we’re overcrowding you.”
As we get out of the car, Koen shakes his head as Princess barks. She’s awake, and is not a fan of the cold after the warmth of the car. I think we may leave her home today while we go tubing. We won’t be gone for more than an hour.
Rhodes can feed her, tire her out, and then leave her napping. Otherwise, she’ll hate her life in the snow. She’s still a baby.
“You’re not doing that,” Koen says, snuggling Princess in his arms as we walk toward the front door. “I appreciate the support. I’m used to doing things alone, which means I tend to forget that I’m not anymore.”
“Damn straight,” I grunt, walking inside. “We’re too possessive to let you go easily.”
“I’ve noticed,” he says under his breath.
No, baby, I really don’t think you do. I also hope you never do. It might scare the fuck out of you.
One week later
“Outdoor hockey, in a snowstorm,” Rhodes breathes, shuddering.
“Suck it up, goalie,” Koen barks, making me snicker. “Do I need to pull in the backup? It’s just a little snow.”
Rhodes’ hand is around his throat before I can wince, and he’s shoving him into the wall before he kisses him in a way that has Koen writhing against the wall.
“My cup isn’t going to fit if you keep doing that,” Olsson complains.
“Rhodes,” I laugh, shaking my head. “He was kidding. He’s not going to bench you. You can fuck the brat out of him later.”
“Waiting sucks,” Rhodes mutters, letting Koen go.
Our poor omega’s eyes are slightly dilated as he shakes his head, trying to come back down from the high of kissing Rhodes. I can understand why, because he’s fucking intense.
“You good?” I chuckle, finishing up.
“Yeah,” he breathes. “Remind me not to fuck around unless I’m willing to find out.”
“That’ll never happen,” Richards snorts. “You’re the goddamned tattooed Viking! You live for fucking shit up.”
“Well that’s true,” I reply.
“Hey, ladies! Are we ready?” Coach asks, walking into the locker room.
Over the last week, they created a hockey rink outside for our game. We’ve had three away games, and we actually found a really good travel puppy sitter. She’s in college taking hybrid courses, which means her schedule is very flexible.
She was approved by Edna first and then my pack and I interviewed her. I had Fishman get a small camera to put on Princess’ collar so I can see how they are together, and it has video and sound.
So far, Evelyn has been working out very well.
“It would figure that Fishman would get tickets to this game,” Rhodes breathes as we walk out of the locker room.
Visibility is going to be a bitch today, but what are you going to do? For what it’s worth, it was supposed to be beautiful and actually sunny this afternoon. A cold front fucked all that up, and this game is to be played snow or shining skies.
“He can freeze his knot off,” I chuckle. “I’m not the one who made this part of his payment.”
Koen is walking ahead and can’t hear me, but I’m still careful to keep my voice low. I don’t want him to ask too many questions about Fishman, because the answers will be dodgy as fuck.
The team waves at the cameras as we walk down a back hallway out into the snow with our helmets and sticks in our hands. The snow sticks to my eyelashes and cheeks, and I pull on my helmet to keep that from happening. I refuse to allow these conditions to get in the way of winning.
I haven’t played many outdoor games, yet I know how the elements can change things. The puck will move slower than expected, it can reduce the speed of skating, and the equipment team will need to clear snow off the ice to keep it from getting slushy.
The good news is that everyone will have to acclimate to the new conditions. Our opponents are from Texas this game, and a large number of our team grew up playing in snowy conditions.
I refuse to be a loose end, which means I’ll have to get used to the snow real fast.
It’s the best goddamned sport there is with an extra layer of fun. It’ll be fine, right?