Chapter eleven Shane #3
“Well, he does keep looking at you like he’s ready to murder you, so it wasn’t hard to put the pieces together. Plus, I know how much you love doing the morning skates, so for you to give that up means you’re avoiding him.” Randy shrugs with a knowing smirk as he scratches at his short blond beard.
“I’m not avoiding him. I’m just giving him time to cool off without being in his face constantly,” I inform him.
He laughs. “Sure, sure. So, are you going to tell me?”
I sigh, looking down at my notes in hand. “Aubrey and I are dating.”
He frowns for a second until comprehension hits him. “His sister?” I nod. “He seriously punched you because you’re dating his sister?” He lowers his voice when a few players get closer.
I wait until they skate away and we’re once again alone. “No, he punched me because she’s pregnant.” My heart swells at the mention of our baby. The more days that pass by, the more excited I am about parenthood.
Randy’s head jerks my way with wide eyes. “Dude…” I chuckle at his reaction. “So, it’s serious, you two?”
I grin. “Yeah, as serious as it can get.”
“Damn, man. Congrats!” He slaps me on the back. “It’s about time you made a move on that girl,” he says, laughing.
Randy always picked up on my attraction to Aubrey, mostly the way I can’t keep my eyes off her when she comes to a game. The guy pays crazy attention to detail and notices everything, which makes him an excellent assistant coach, and hopefully one day a great head coach.
And of course, with my luck, Greyson happens to be passing by as Randy makes his comment.
His head whips to me with a murderous glare; the sudden distraction makes him bump into Olchkov, one of the defensemen.
And instead of just brushing it off and apologizing, he lets his temper take over, sending him to the ground with a harsh shove to the chest.
Olchkov quickly gets back to his feet, pushing right back at Greyson’s chest. “What the fuck is your problem, man!?”
“Ford!” I call out. I think that chat will come sooner rather than later.
He ignores me, turning his back to us. “FORD! Get your ass here!” When he still doesn’t turn, I get ready to step on that ice myself and drag him by the collar.
“NOW!” I don’t usually shout at my players, but this calls for one of those moments.
Finally, he turns to me and comes over, smacking into the boards but doesn’t make eye contact. Randy mouths “Good luck” as he skates away, returning his attention to the rest of the players.
“Look, I get it. You don’t like me right now, that’s fine.
But put your fucking feelings aside when you’re out there.
This isn’t only about you, it’s about the team, it’s about all of them.
This isn’t just your career you’re messing with, it’s theirs too.
If you fuck up, we all fuck up,” I tell him sternly, keeping my voice low so that our conversation stays between us.
I then point toward the doors that lead toward the exit.
“So, when we’re out there, be mad at me all you want, tell me to fuck off, do whatever the fuck you want”—I turn my pointed finger to the ice where the rest of the team is—“but when we’re in here, or the locker room, or at a game, you put that shit on the back burner and you play like the professional you are. Do I make myself clear?”
His face hardens, jaw locked tight as he swallows, then gives me a curt nod. “Crystal.”
“Good. Now, go back out there and apologize to Olchkov. I don’t want to see that shit happen again,” I tell him as he skates off.
I let out a sigh, knowing this most likely won’t be the last time we have this conversation.
My phone suddenly starts ringing in my pocket, and I pull it out, smiling as I look at the screen.
It’s a group video call from my parents and three sisters, most likely to finalize some last-minute details for my birthday in two weeks.
They’re supposed to come down and stay with Aubrey and me for two days.
I’m excited for her to meet them, and I know they can’t wait to meet her.
I lift my phone up toward Randy and Jonathan, our other assistant coach, as well as Steve, the goaltender coach, letting them know I’m stepping out to take a call. When they all nod, I answer the video call and step out of the arena.
“Hey, guys.” I smile as all their faces fill my screen.
“Jesus, Shay! What happened to you?” Eden, the youngest of my three sisters, asks with wide eyes.
“And here I thought your fighting days were over.” My mother shakes her head with a deep sigh. “Darling, please tell me there’s a valuable explanation for the current state of your appearance?”
“I’m fine, everyone. Nothing to worry about.” I grin despite the ache at the side of my eye where my bruise is. I don’t even care about my face—I’m happy, and my life is great. I have nothing to complain about.
“He does seem quite happy. What’s going on with you, little brother?” Phoebe smirks with narrowed eyes, like she’s trying to read me through the camera.
“Actually, I am happy. More than happy.” They all wait patiently for me to elaborate the reason behind my sudden joy. “I’m going to be a dad.”