Chapter 21 #2
“Wyatt has never been a talker or one to give a quick smile,” Grace tells me while Peyton nods.
“It’s definitely because of you,” Cora says.
“That’s what happens when you fall in love and find your person,” Peyton says.
Love.
What a weird concept. I know I have been slowly falling for him, but could he really feel the same? Would it even matter when our futures are headed in different directions?
As the girls change the conversation, I can’t help but wonder, would it really be such a bad thing to be loved by a guy like him?
“You’re tensing as the puck comes near you. You need to stay relaxed.” I tell Jason.
Standing, he hits the puck back across the ice to Calvin.
“I don’t know why I keep doing it or where it even came from. I’ve never struggled with this before,” he mutters, frustration bleeding into his voice.
The kid is starting to feel the pressure. He knows my time is coming to an end, and he’s going to be the team’s main goalie. It can fuck with you if you let it.
“It’s fine. Just take a deep breath,” I tell him.
“If I keep playing like this, Coach is going to find a new goalie,” he mutters.
“Coach isn’t going to replace you, Jason. Trust me. We just need to work out these few kinks now before they become permanent. You got this,” I tell him.
“Okay, fuckers, your footwork was sloppy,” Kellan says.
Calvin scoffs. “Sloppy? Do you need your eyes checked, old man?”
Laughter rings out, making us look over.
Son of a bitch.
Brett is standing by the bench, hoodie on, and a sling across his chest.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I skate toward him with a smile.
“Thought I would come see what’s happening here. It’s been a minute since I stopped by,” he says as I come to a stop next to him.
“We’re practicing, Woods. So you need to get your ass out here and help or go,” Kellan teases.
Brett smirks and holds up his hand, showing off his skates. “You mean these old things?”
“Fuck yeah!” Calvin cheers.
“Can you play with a baby strapped to your chest?” I tease.
“I can, thank you very much. She comes to practice with me a couple times a week,” he says as he goes to sit down.
“No, hand her over,” I say, reaching out for the baby.
Brett sighs. “Get off the ice and take off your pads. I don’t think the sling will fit with all that bulk.”
I get off the ice and immediately start taking them off. Then I watch as he takes her out of the sling before handing her over to me.
“Hey, little girl, look how much you’ve grown,” I say quietly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him take off the baby sling before moving to me. As I hold his daughter, he straps her to my chest.
“You look ridiculous with your leg pads still on and a baby strapped to your chest,” he says once he’s finished.
“I think you said I look awesome wrong.”
He rolls his eyes and sits down to put on his skates.
“So what are you doing over here?” I ask as he laces up.
“Emery’s doing girl time with the girls.”
Just hearing him say it makes my heart race.
I fucking love the fact that some of my favorite people are getting to know the woman I’m obsessed with.
I should be scared of what Peyton might say, but I’m not.
Grace will keep her in line. No, Lyla’s in good hands, and if anyone can convince Lyla that I’m worth the risk, it would be them.
Once Brett is ready, we head out onto the ice.
Kellan whistles. “Damn, Wyatt, you trying to thirst trap? Pretty sure some women would go feral over seeing you dressed like that with a baby strapped to you.”
I roll my eyes as everyone laughs.
“Wait, let me take a picture. I’ll post it on the socials,” Jason teases.
“Get back in the net,” I tell him.
“Someone give me a stick so I can remind you kids on how this is done,” Brett says as he holds out his hand.
As Calvin gives him his stick, I move off to the side where I’m out of everyone’s way. Leaning against the boards, I look down at Alissa when she makes a cooing noise.
She’s so fucking cute.
The sounds of blades moving make me look up, and I watch as Brett skates confidently across the ice. He pulls back the stick and hits the puck, sending it right toward the net. Jason, at the last second, turns slightly, the puck going by him.
“Stay square, Pender. You got this,” I tell him.
My voice startles Alissa, and she makes a sound. Without thinking about it, my hand moves, and I begin to bounce as I pat her butt gently. Instantly she calms down.
I watch as Brett quietly begins to coach the guys, offering them all feedback.
“Your dad’s still got it,” I murmur to Alissa.
It’s nice to see my friend doing something he loves again after having an injury. It’s a shame he decided he doesn’t want to play professionally, but I get it. Besides, he’s an awesome coach, and the kids who have his guidance are lucky, even if they don’t realize it yet.
The longer Brett works with Jason, the better he becomes. It’s like he almost forgets to be nervous and becomes the hockey player we know he can be.
All too soon, they call it quits.
“See you at home?” Kellan asks as he skates by me.
“Yeah, I’ll meet you guys there,” I tell him.
I give Calvin and Jason a chin lift.
“You did good,” I tell them.
“You feeling okay? You aren’t the complimentary type,” Calvin asks.
“It’s because he has a baby strapped to his chest,” Jason teases, making me roll my eyes.
They head off the ice, and Brett chuckles as he skates toward me.
“They are a good group of guys,” he says as the door shuts behind them.
“They are.”
Brett smirks. “Still as chatty as ever.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, making him chuckle.
“So, on a scale of one to ten, how nervous are you right now that your girl is alone with them?” he asks.
“Maybe a three.” I shrug.
Brett’s eyebrows jump up. “That’s it? I figured you would be coming out of your skin about now.”
I shrug as I look down at his daughter, who’s peacefully sleeping.
“She’s met Grace and knows Cora pretty well at this point. I figured if she has their approval, Emery and Peyton would go easy on her. Even if they don’t, she’s strong. She will impress them. I’m sure of it.”
“Very true. Probably the right call there, honestly.”
“I have my moments.”
Brett rolls his eyes. “I don’t know about you, but I’m fucking starving. How do you feel about crashing the girls’ lunch date?”
“Do you know where they are?”
He scoffs. “Dude, I have my girl’s location. Of course I know where she is.”
“Then lead the way.”
Is it wrong to interrupt their lunch? Probably, but I really want to see how she is around the people I consider family.