Chapter 20
TWENTY
COLE
April
The road to Frozen Four has been one of my proudest moments in life.
More than my own days on the ice, because watching my guys dominate through the quarter and semifinals to this last game during the championship is thanks to all of the hard work we’ve put in together.
I feel part of something profound as their coach.
If they win this, it’s not just their win. It’s everyone’s who is part of Heston U’s hockey program.
It’s down to the third period. We’re ahead by one. There’s still far too much time left. Any wrong move and they could take this from us.
“Come on guys!” I clap for them, glancing at Steve. “How are you so calm?”
His shoulders shake with a laugh. “Years of practice. We’re looking good. They need to keep this pace and not rush it.”
I nod, turning my attention back to the rink. The printout of tonight’s roster is rolled in my hand. It’s falling apart from me taking out my stress on it.
We get two breakaways that don’t result in anything. With minutes left, we’re watching our boys fight the pressure while making sure the other team doesn’t score.
“Don’t rush! Keep it loose!” David yells.
One of the opponent’s forwards has the puck deep in our zone and Brody’s the one to stop their play.
He passes to his linemate, then Higgins sends the puck to Keller.
He has impressive speed as he and Boucher tear up the ice ahead of our center.
Even with their agility, Alex’s pass to Theo is almost intercepted.
Their defense gets a piece of it, but Theo controls it beautifully, getting around him with the evasive moves I taught him.
“That’s how it’s done!” I call.
Adrenaline courses through my veins as the puck flies across the ice to Keller. He charges toward the net and rips the puck into the crease. The goalie misses it.
Our entire bench is on their feet screaming. Theo collides with Alex, then two more Heston players in an emotional celly.
At the final horn moments later, our bench spills on the ice to surround their teammates. David and Steve are clapping. I feel like I’m underwater, then all the sound rushes in at once.
The arena is deafening and confetti falls from the rafters. A huddle of our guys hugging and celebrating shows on the jumbotron.
Holy shit, they did it. We won Frozen Four. Their season has ended with a huge success.
And my time with them has run out. The elation making me weightless fizzles, dragging me back to the harsh reality I’ve been avoiding.
Still stunned, I turn to shake David and Steve’s hands. “Congratulations. They’re unbelievable. I’m glad—honored, really—that I got to be part of it for a little while.”
David laughs, exchanging a look with Steve. “Congratulate yourself. This is your win, too. You did good work, coach.”
“Right. I learned a lot. Thanks for giving me a chance.”
An uncomfortable laugh sticks in my throat.
I wanted to talk to him about the possibility of staying, but it kept getting pushed off after playoffs to strategize for the championship tournament.
I’ll continue on as a coach, but it wouldn’t be with this team, where I want to be.
This was always supposed to be temporary from the beginning.
“Good. I expect the same next season,” David says.
I don’t follow. The confusion must be obvious because he chuckles and slaps my shoulder.
“Son, the trial period is over. The position is yours to keep if you’re willing to stay on.”
Static makes my mind blank while my brain struggles to process. I open and close my mouth, waiting for them to go sike.
“I told you it would’ve been better to tell him before we hit the road,” Steve says. “You broke him.”
David’s amused expression falters. “You’re going to stay with us, aren’t you? That fresh perspective of yours is the edge we need in shaping our guys to be the country’s top players.”
“I—yes,” I manage. “Yes. Sorry, I’m—I wasn’t expecting this.”
Steve shakes me by the shoulders. “Relax, kid.”
Too many thoughts and emotions hit me at once to decipher. Happiness that I get to stay in Heston Lake. Eagerness to continue growing into someone this team can rely on.
Most of all, I want to tell Eve. I almost whip out my phone to tell her. The itch to race back to the hotel skitters throughout me.
“Thank you. This job is where I want to be.”
“Good,” David says.
Theo and Alex hoist the cooler of Gatorade, dumping it on the head coach. It drenches him and splashes on me and Steve. David barks in surprise. Their laughter is infectious. I swipe droplets from my face with a wide grin.
I reach for Cameron, dragging him into a hug. A laugh overflowing with relief slips out. Easton piles on by throwing himself at us. Then Theo, Alex, and Jake join. I’ve never felt closer to a team than this moment.
“Thanks, coach,” Cameron says.
The others echo him until they’re chanting Kincaid! Kincaid! Kincaid! I’m so proud of them, and fucking honored to be their coach.
After things wrap up, the post-game press conference goes by in a blur. David warns the players to behave when we finally release them. At last, I’m on my way to the hotel.
The minute I unlock my door, I call Eve on FaceTime. I’m so swept up in tugging my tie free and riding the high of my good news that I don’t think about it.
“Hey,” she answers breathlessly when the video call connects. “Is everything okay?”
She blinks owlishly as if she just woke up, rubbing her face. I’m distracted for a moment, the buttons on my shirt left half undone because I’m wishing I could be there to wrap her in my arms.
“Yeah, it’s all good.” I’m out of breath and buzzing with energy. “I just got back to the hotel. We won and I wanted to tell you.”
I can’t wipe the grin off my face. Haven’t been able to since David officially offered me the assistant coaching job.
“I saw. Well, I guessed it would be their game. I was watching the stream, but I fell asleep in the middle of third period when we were up in points.”
My gaze softens. I sit on the bed, drinking her in.
“Sorry if I woke you.”
“It’s okay.” She sighs with a sleepy smile. “It’s nice to talk to you. See your face. Hear your voice.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean.” My throat bobs with a thick swallow. “After the game, I was talking to your dad. I wanted you to be the first person to hear it.”
She’s the only one who will get what this means to me. The only one who understands why I haven’t put down roots.
She props herself up on her pillows. “What is it?”
“I’m staying in Heston Lake. He said the job is mine if I want it. Permanently.”
She lights up. “Cole! That’s amazing. Congratulations.”
The same weightless feeling as earlier returns at her heartfelt response. I drag my fingers through my hair a few times.
“It’s still sinking in that I get to keep being a coach for Heston U.”
“You’re awesome at it. I’m not surprised. Hey.” She waits until I meet her gaze. “You’ve earned this.”
Warmth expands in my chest until I’m full of her belief in me. I rub at it while I drift around my room.
“That really hits me. Thanks, Evie.”
“I’m proud of you,” she says softly. “You’ve worked your ass off to get here. And I’m really glad you’re staying.”
I stare at her. “Me too.”
It’s beyond gratifying to know I made this happen. I get to have everything I’ve been striving toward since I returned to town.
Well… Almost everything.
My gaze burns. Eve’s mellow from sleep, hair mussed, and she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.
There hasn’t been a single second since we started this three months ago that I thought of her as anyone but herself.
Because there’s no one in the universe that compares to Eve.
“Are you still tired?” It comes out smoky with desire.
She shakes her head, eyes hooding. I wet my lips slowly, gaze dragging up and down her as she stares at me. Her hand slides down the length of her body, out of frame.
We’ve been on the phone to fool around or sent photos and videos. It doesn’t compare to being able to see her live, watching her reactions.
There’s no fake names hidden behind a private conversation on a dating app. Our desires are plain as day.
This is all us.
She can’t hide it if she wants me, and I’m done hiding it from her that she can have everything from me if she lets me give it to her.
“Hold on,” she says.
Eve props the phone on a stand on her desk. She disappears from view, leaving me with her empty bed.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see. By the way, that suit is really fucking hot on you. Thanks for the eye candy, but you should take it off.”
My mouth quirks. I ditch the blazer and finish undoing the buttons. Her face appears at the edge of the frame to watch as I drag the shirt out of my pants, muscles rippling while I strip it off.
“Like what you see?”
She hums. “Yes.”
“Why are you hiding from me?”
“I’m not.”
She steps into view and immediately sends blood rushing to my cock. She’s wearing my coaching jacket.
And nothing fucking else.
I forgot I lent it to her a few weeks ago. I’m not complaining because seeing her wear it makes me rock hard.
The zipper is open to her cleavage, the bottom skimming her bare thighs. She twirls for me, peeking over her shoulder when she displays my name across her back.
Her eyes gleam and she props her hands on her hips. “I thought this was fitting since you won tonight, coach.”
“Fuck, Evie.” It comes out gravelly.
“You like it, I see.” Amusement laces her tone.
If I had her within reach, I’d grab a fistful of the jacket and drag her onto my lap. I’d need to open my fly and split her pussy apart on my cock until I filled her with so much come it leaks out of her.
“Fuck,” I repeat. “I wish you were here.”
“Me too,” she admits.
“Is there anything under that?”
She shakes her head. My hand drops to squeeze my throbbing dick.
“Go to your bed. Spread those legs for me, sweetheart. I want to see that pussy taking your fingers while you’re wearing my name.”