Kailyn #3
Talking through my doubts and worries helped. I know my worth in this field, and I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. I just needed to get out of my head and listen to myself and not my demons.
I shut the door and face the mirror, looking down the logo on my shirt with a newfound confidence and determination.
The locker room is packed, the guys ready for game time. I’m standing off to the side with Emilia, our backs against the wall as we wait for Coach Davenport to come in for his pregame speech and then to walk out with the team.
“So, have you decided what you’re going to do yet?” Emilia eyes me curiously.
“I have, I just hope it’s the right decision for the team.”
“No, it has to be the best decision for you. Screw the team. You’re being asked to do a job that, while I know you’ll kick ass at it, you weren’t prepared for.
If you tell my dad no, he won’t hold it against you.
He knows he’s asking you for a lot, but the decision is up to you.
And whatever you decide, I’ve got your back. ”
“Thanks, Em.” I give her a side hug as Coach Davenport and the staff all enter the room.
“All right, gentlemen,” he starts, and the guys all settle down as Coach walks to the center of the locker room.
“Tonight is our final away game before we head home. Now, I know it’s been an intense week for you all.
You’ve been playing your asses off, so don’t let your foot off the pedal just yet.
We still have one more game before we get a nice four-day break. ”
Connor walks over and stands next to Coach to give his pregame pep talk.
“Coach is right, we’re doing great out there.
I’m proud to play with you all, and tonight’s going to be another great game.
Keep pushing, keep your eyes focused and ready, but most of all, just enjoy your time on the ice.
Someday, you won’t be here. It’s these memories and these games that will matter the most to you.
So let’s get our heads in the game and get that W. ”
The team erupts in cheers and the guys all start to line up, awaiting the official word to walk down the tunnel. Coach walks over to Emilia and I, stopping just in front of us.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” He holds out his hand as they complete some kind of complicated handshake that’s just for them. It’s sweet to see this interaction between them, knowing if my dad were here, we’d be doing something similar.
“Kailyn.” He turns to me, and I smile, hoping it puts him a little bit at ease.
“I know I’m asking a lot of you, and I meant what I said earlier.
If you need more time to decide, I completely understand.
You’ve been doing a great job with the team and the guys have nothing but positive things to say about you, but you don’t owe me or them anything. ”
“I appreciate it, Coach. Em reminded me I have to do what’s best for myself.
” I look at her and she winks before looking back at her dad, who smiles back at her.
“With that said, I’m going to help out tonight, but my official answer is going to have to wait until after we get home.
I want to know what I’m getting into before I make the final call. ”
Coach smiles at me, a look of approval shining in his eyes as he sighs and his shoulders visibly relax.
“I can work with that. And listen, Jake came to me earlier and said you had some concerns about the other staff taking offense to this. I can only tell you that, while you’re the newest member to this team, you have the most experience out of everyone here.
They’re all young kids who are just starting.
Many of them expressed how happy they were when I asked you to take over.
The only person who might give you grief is Eric.
” I nod my head, thinking about the couple interactions I’ve had with him and the things I’ve heard whispered in the halls.
It’s all subtle, but there seems to be more negative than positive when it comes to Eric.
He makes snotty remarks about people, he’s lazy, and he’s not as good at his job as he thinks he is.
Even from the first interaction I had with him, he gives off an entitled, almost arrogant aura that has me staying as far away from him as I can.
“I’ll be blunt. He’s been a pain in my ass from the day he started here.
I’ve been trying to get him out for a while, but he hasn’t done anything big enough for HR to get involved, and I can’t go to the GM until that happens.
So if he starts shit with you, you come tell me immediately, you understand? ”
It now makes sense why he was so angry getting off the bus earlier today and why he had that death glare when he was looking at me.
“I saw him leave the bus earlier, and he seemed livid. You think he feels angry because Dr. Sanders' didn’t ask him? Like maybe he deserved it over me?” I ask.
“Let’s just say that version of him was more tame then when we originally told him of our decision. Just please watch your back and come to me if things feel off.”
“Thank you, Coach. I appreciate your support and if anything happens, I’ll let you know right away.”
Coach nods, then hugs Emilia before walking off to join the team. We follow after him, passing the players on the way out of the room and to the front of the line with the rest of the staff.
“So, Jake talked to my dad? I guess things are looking even better than I thought.” She side-eyes me and waggles her eyebrows, a smirk painting her face. I smack her arm as we both burst into laughter that catches the attention of some of the guys.
“What’s got you ladies laughing like that?” Beckett asks as we pass him.
“Oh, just the thought of your face, Becks,” Emilia teases over her shoulder.
“This face is a glorious piece of art.”
“Keep telling yourself that, maybe someone will fall for it, but not us,” she claps back at him and he laughs. Even as we continue our walk down the hallway, I notice that he continues to stare after us, a smirk painted on his lips and what looks almost like lust filling his eyes.
I’ll have to ask her about that later.
I come to a stop when I see Jake and walk up to him. “Hey, you talked to Coach for me?”
“Yeah, I wanted to make sure your mind was at ease and that Coach knew how you felt. I’m sorry if I overstepped, though.”
I walk in front of him, hugging him in his full kit, his arms coming around me and hugging me tightly.
“No, I appreciate it. Thank you. It really does put my mind at ease a bit knowing he’s got my back.”
The way his hands wrap around me brings me so much comfort, reminding me of how safe he always made me feel. All I want to do is sink into his embrace and never let go, but I know that we both have a job to do tonight.
I go to take a step back, to start getting everything together, when he tightens his hold on me. Looks like he wants this hug just as much as I do.
“Coach is a great guy, so I didn’t expect anything less from him. Speaking of, what did you decide?”
“I’m going to help this game, see what’s in store, and then give him my final answer after we get home.”
“That sounds like a smart decision."
With a tap on my shoulder, I see Emilia gesture over her shoulder, signaling that we need to get a move on.
“Thanks, I got some great advice today that really helped.”
“Well, then that person deserves an award.”
I laugh as I reluctantly pull myself from his hold and start to back away, turning around with the image of his full smile on his face.
“In your dreams, hockey boy.”
Just as I’m about to turn the corner, there’s a faint whisper of what sounds like “in your dreams” and boy, if I heard him right, he has no idea how right he is.
Now, I just have to make it through tonight’s game and hopefully not crash and burn.