Chapter 16 Brody #2
“Can I get you anything? A drink? Another pillow that needs to be fluffed?” I catch a glimpse of Hannah standing across the living room socializing with Piper, Liam’s wife and the Stars’ color commentator. I avert my eyes back to the redhead on the couch. “Something else?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She cranes her neck, finding the source of my lapse in attention, but doesn’t call me out. “Maverick spent all morning wondering if you were going to stop by. He owes me fifty bucks.”
“Betting on me? Not sure how I feel about that.”
“More like believing in you.”
“Thanks, Hartwell. You sure you don’t need anything?”
“I promise I’m good. Thanks for coming, Coach.”
Liam acknowledges me with a grunt I return with a nod.
Ethan forces me to take a photo with him for social media.
He uploads it, and within three minutes, it already has thousands of likes.
Hudson brings me by to say hello to Madeline, his girlfriend.
Lucy, her daughter, looks at the friendship bracelets on my wrist, and when I give her one to keep, she signs thank you with a giggle.
“She loves bracelets,” Hudson tells me. “Doubt we’re ever going to get her to take it off.”
“So does my daughter. She makes me a new one every game. I keep most of them in my office, but I always wear a few so she knows I appreciate them.”
“Dinner is ready,” Maverick announces, and Lexi gives my arm a pat as she slips past with a stack of plates. “Ladies and kids first, then the heathens can be let loose. Easy E. What the hell are you doing? Get to the back of the line.”
“God dammit,” Ethan mutters, pouting. “I’m hungry.”
“You’re going to be fine. G-Money. Can’t you put your notebook away for two seconds? I swear you’re attached to that thing.”
“Sorry, Cap.” Grant grins and tucks a small black leather notebook in his back pocket along with his phone. “Important things require my attention.”
“Coach.” Riley slides up next to me. “Guess what?”
“What’s up, Mitchell?” I ask.
“Marcus called,” he says, mentioning his agent. “The Comets’ coaching staff is proud of my progression at practice. They’re eyeing a game in December for me to make my debut.”
“Holy shit.” I grab him by the shirt and pull him into a hug. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“Me too.” He laughs and takes off his glasses, wiping his eyes. “Don’t say anything to the guys. It’s not a sure thing yet, and I don’t want them to know until I’m positive it’s going to happen.”
“My lips are sealed. I promise.”
“Thanks.” He waves at Lexi, color invading his cheeks. “Glad you’re here today.”
“Me too,” I say, meaning it.
Everything around me is chaotic and loud. I let the guys grab food first, hanging back and waiting my turn. After I fill my plate, I scan the long table in the center of the living room, looking for a place to sit.
There aren’t many empty spots, but I see an open chair next to Hannah. Her body is turned, deep in conversation with Ryan Fitzpatrick’s wife, and I make my way over to her.
“Need anything, Coach?” Maverick asks, and I shake my head.
“No. Everything looks delicious.”
“It was a group effort.”
He grins, focusing his attention on Emmy. I remember the days I’d find him stumbling into the hotel lobby at away games with two girls under his arms, but now he’s looking at his wife like there’s no one else in the room.
I guess when someone’s the center of your universe, everyone else ceases to exist.
“Grant cried when he saw you,” Hannah says when I squeeze myself into the chair next to her. My knees barely fit under the table, and I accidentally bump her leg. “Like, actual tears.”
“I don’t know why. I’m not worthy.”
“He’s always been a sensitive guy. Where’s Liv today?”
“With her mom and stepdad.” I scoop a bite of mashed potatoes onto my fork. “I’m picking her up in the morning.”
“I’m sorry you don’t get to spend the day with her.”
“Kali and I alternate holidays every year. I’ll have Liv for Christmas. She already has the movie marathon planned out.”
“That’s cute.” Her thigh hasn’t moved away from mine. Heat radiates off her, and I adjust my position in the seat. “You and your ex are close. It’s nice to see a healthy co-parenting relationship.”
“No reason for us not to get along. I’m glad we realized early on we didn’t work as partners. Better than dragging it out for Livvy’s sake and resenting each other.”
“A man who communicates. I like that.” Hannah scoots back in her chair and crosses her legs. Her skirt inches up her thighs with the movement, and I jab a green bean like it personally offended me. “Anything you’re thankful for this year?”
“A healthy team. A job I enjoy.” I dare myself to look her way. When I do, I find a smirk on her lips. Fingers playing with the hem of her skirt. Maybe someone spiked my drink, because I swear she drags her thumb across her skin, right where I’m staring. “New friends.”
“We work well as friends, don’t we?” Her voice is low, husky. Amusement behind the question. “Training together has been fun.”
“So much fun. Your edge work has gotten better. Your control too.”
“I have a good teacher. Best coach in the league.” Hannah reaches for her wine, taking a long sip. “I want to make you proud.”
“Your drill performance isn’t indicative of my level of pride in you,” I say, not wanting her to think my support is contingent on how well she skates.
My hand inadvertently falls to her leg, covering the curve of her knee.
I don’t realize I’m doing it until her sharp inhale makes me pull back, grabbing my fork. “You know that, right?”
“Right. But I like seeing you smile.” Her eyes meet mine. “You don’t do it enough.”
“I could do it more.” I wish I had grabbed a beer when it was offered to me. I could use one to get through this conversation. “If you wanted.”
“I want a lot of things, Brody. But that would be a good start.”
Flirting.
She’s flirting with me.
There’s the same hitch in her breath as that night in June. The undercut of teasing, and every part of me wonders why the hell I’ve tried to stay away from her when this is way more fun.
Fun.
Something I still need more of.
“I’ll see if I can make that happen.” There’s a drop of wine on her lips. I want to lick it off, but I cut a piece of my turkey instead. “Just for you.”
“I’m a lucky—”
“Two of my favorite people.” Grant interrupts us, wedging his way between our chairs and kneeling on the rug. He drapes an arm over Hannah’s shoulders, grinning at me. “Are you having a good time, Coach?”
“Can’t complain.” My eyes flick to the blush crawling up Hannah’s neck. From the wine? Or from me? “Your sister makes excellent company.”
“She does, doesn’t she? Easy E hasn’t hit on you, has he, Han?” Grant asks.
“Please.” Hannah laughs. “Even if he did, I’m not interested.”
“Good. Tell me if that changes. Locker room code says no player is allowed to touch another player’s sister.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Can’t you all just keep your dicks in your pants?”
“I can, but I can’t say the same for everyone else.” He flips off Ethan from across the room. “I need to make my rounds, but I wanted to say hi.”
“Bring me a slice of pumpkin pie,” Hannah calls out when he pops to his feet and meanders to the kitchen. “Is there really a code?”
“Mhm. First person to the showers turns them on for everyone else. Don’t mess with the stuff someone keeps in their stall.
You don’t touch another team’s goalie, and if someone touches yours, you have permission to kick their ass.
Similarly, you don’t touch a teammate’s sister, mom, wife, or girlfriend. If you do, expect hell to break loose.”
“Wonder if that applies to coaches too,” Hannah says with the flip of her hair over her shoulder.
“Brat,” I mumble.
“But that never happened, so it’s purely hypothetical.”
“Hey.” I touch her wrist when she sets down her wine glass. “I know I said some things that night, but I don’t regret it happening. You’re not a mistake, Hannah.”
“I know I’m not. I’m a goddamn prize,” she tells me with the confidence that made me follow her back to her apartment in the first place. “I’m going to see if they need any help cleaning up.”
“You never mentioned what you were thankful for,” I say, watching her stand and smooth out her skirt.
“New friends. Hockey coaches.” Hannah looks at my hands, a coy smile taking over her mouth. “And all the fun we’re going to have the next few months.”
Trouble, I think, when she leans in front of me to take my plate.
I’m in so much fucking trouble.