Chapter 20
HUDSON
My arms stay firmly folded over my chest, and I know that my serious coach look is plastered across my face. But it’s almost time for a mini-break, and it’s the third time we have run this play, and in this moment, I’m calling bullshit on the third-time’s-the-charm theory.
“In the lines,” I call out, reminding my guys to focus instead of ending up a jumbled mess.
“We’re getting near the end of training camp; they’re a little exhausted, I guess,” Arnold pipes up.
I give him a stern look. “All the more reason they need to get it together, as we have a pre-season game next week.”
He gives me a look that informs me I should probably calm down.
I grumble loudly and roll my eyes. “Blow the whistle. Break time.” My tone is sharp, and I point my finger at him to make my stance clear.
“Doesn’t mean I’m going to go easy in the afternoon practice.
I want to speak to the offense coordinators tonight, and I want to add more names that will be off the roster. ”
He throws his hands up. “I know, I know.”
While he blows the whistle, I look at my tablet to go over the morning’s playbook and the list of players that I will soon need to cut. This season it seems to be the rookies that have it more together, or who are at least more focused.
I don’t take much notice of the guys grabbing water and walking to the bleachers.
This is normally when they quickly catch up with their respective others and confirm their lunch plans.
It’s only when I hear two of my players mentioning the fresh blood on the sidelines with a whistle that I look up.
I’m ready to swipe those smirks off their faces because I don’t need them distracted, and someone has these two mid-twenty-year-olds looking all googly eyed. My head turns to get a glimpse of who has their attention.
The moment my eyes land on Piper in a pink summer dress, high-heeled strappy wedges, and sunglasses on her head, I’m torn inside. I’m completely elated that she’s here because I’ve invited her more times than I can count. But the other half of me feels feral, and I’m quick to head in her direction.
“You both may want to study those drills some more,” I mention to the boys in passing, taking slight pleasure in the fact that my role can make their life miserable if needed.
My grin spreads as Piper leans over the railing from the seats with a soft smile, as if she isn’t quite sure how she should behave.
“Hi.” She nibbles her bottom lip.
“You’ve finally come… here. I mean, we know you come often.”
Her mouth drops open. “Hudson, anyone can you hear you say that.” She looks around to check that we’re in the clear.
I chuckle as I hop on the step and lean up and over the railing to kiss her.
My hand touches her upper arm, and to the bystanders, I’m giving a respectable kiss, but if only they knew my tongue inside her mouth is giving Piper a preview of later when I plan on re-enacting some dirty-as-fuck positions.
Pulling away gently, my eyes connect with her own and they sparkle in a way.
Piper attempts to give me a smile, but it’s weak.
For the most part, I know she’s happy. We laugh and have good evenings together, but I know my niece giving her the silent treatment weighs on Piper’s mind.
Still, she made the effort to come and see me at practice, which I know is out of her comfort zone.
“I had to check you’re still alive after this morning’s smoothie attempt. I just thought that if I added apple this time and nixed the cabbage.” She shrugs her shoulder.
A stunted laugh escapes me because yesterday she attempted to make me a green protein shake, and it was a little brutal on the tastebuds. This morning she changed the recipe, and the apple did fuck all.
“It tasted fine,” I lie. “Thank you for waking up early this morning, every morning really.”
I want that every day until the day I die. This woman in my kitchen with the lights dimmed, five in the morning, and her eagerness to see me off so I have a good day.
“Hazards of dating a hot coach, his schedule kind of sucks.” She smirks at me, and her fingers play with the neckline of my t-shirt. “And I kind of owe him since I kept him up past his bedtime.”
Have mercy on me, because I love her sultry voice and would do anything to stop the clock and take her right now on the goddamn bench on the sidelines.
She must notice that my mind is thinking impure thoughts. Piper playfully nudges my other arm with her fist. “It’s okay that I’m here, right? I’m not a distraction?” Piper seems to wonder if she is approaching her attempt to surprise me all wrong.
It draws my attention back.
I offer my hand so she can climb over the railing. “Of course, you can be here. Besides, you are the right kind of distraction,” I admit.
She lands in front of me, and we look directly into one another’s eyes.
“Okay. I mean, I guess the cheerleading outfit can stay in the closet.” Now she is testing me, and I throw an arm around her shoulders to walk with her side by side.
“You’ll be here for a quick lunch? Or did I bore you already? How long have you been here?” I wonder.
“Maybe twenty minutes, and yes, I will keep watching until lunchtime, but then I’m heading back to the city.”
I sigh at the thought, as I hate that she isn’t a permanent feature at my home. I make a mental note that we need to streamline our timeline. I haven’t discussed it with her, but I don’t see why living together can’t be an item on our agenda. “I guess I’ll see you at a game soon?”
“I’ll do my best. My mind is kind of occupied as I need to go back to see my grandmother and hopefully try again with April, or at least see if she will speak to me.” I hear her disappointment.
“She’ll come around.”
Piper doesn’t answer, instead surveying the area. “I guess we have an audience.”
I tip my head to the side. “We are very much in public. But don’t worry about it, only people on the list are here, and the wives of players in a way follow a code, which is keep other people’s lives private.” I scan the area and indeed we have a few eyes on us.
She leans in and speaks low. “Coach Arrows is kind of hot. He seems demanding and bossy, wouldn’t want to get in his bad books.
” Piper’s attempt to hide her giggle falls short.
I give her raised brows, as I’m not sure where she is leading her thoughts.
She is quick to clarify. “You’re more serious when you’re on the field.
The opposite of laid-back Hudson in ridiculous aprons. ”
“It’s been a rough day. I would like to think I’m more approachable to the guys, but today is brutal, they’re tiring quickly.”
Piper nods in understanding. Our gaze with one another is, however, broken when Kimberly waves and walks to us.
“Hey, Coach!” She widely smiles, clearly thrilled that I’m not alone.
I give her a short wave. “Hi there.” I notice Kimberly keeps her eyes set on Piper. “This is Piper who I mentioned. Piper, this is Kimberly who works on the events-and-marketing team.”
“Oh.” I hear a lack of enthusiasm, but Piper is a sport and offers a genuine smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Kimberly looks between us. “Wonderful to see you here, Piper. We were all a little bummed that we had to cancel the bachelor article on Hudson, then celebrated that Hudson under the love spell would also be a great spin. Someone finally tying him down, you know?” She rambles as she normally does around me.
“Whoa. I’m here. Filter it, Kimberly.”
Kimberly shakes her head. “Oh shit. I said that all out loud, didn’t I?”
Piper’s face doesn’t flinch as she waits to see where this conversation is going.
It takes a beat. “…But if you two are going social media official, could you maybe add a Chicago Winds theme somewhere in the photo?”
“For sure. We will absolutely take a photo of two Winds mugs with a comment that breakfast is better together.” Piper is completely sarcastic which makes me chortle under my breath.
“That would be wonderful.” Kimberly continues without picking up Piper’s undertone.
“Oh, I was joking.” Piper now looks amused.
Kimberly doesn’t stop as she looks at her tablet. “Wait… you’re the owner of Piper Ginger?” Piper nods proudly. “I love your stuff. Those pajama bottoms with moon prints are my favorite. I could live in those.”
“Thank you. Those are my bestsellers.”
“Anything else?” I ask. “I kind of need to get back to what I’m paid for.” I do my best to swerve Kimberly away.
Her sight lands on me. “I’ve sent you an updated schedule for the coming weeks. You have a few morning news slots coming up after you announce the season roster.”
“Usual business then. Can we catch up later?” I suggest.
“Sure. Maybe I can go over a few things with Piper and the team engagements coordinator during the next hour of practice?”
I look at Piper who seems lost. “It’s just protocol. The dos and don’ts of what can be discussed. Not a big deal since you didn’t even know who I was when we met.”
“What?!” Kimberly looks at Piper.
She shrugs her shoulders. “I know zero about sports.”
“Well, that will change soon.”
I grin again. “You okay?” I check with Piper.
“Sure, no problem.” Piper seems at ease.
“Great. I will give you two a minute then.” Kimberly walks off.
Piper looks at me, clearly entertained. “Have I just walked into a cult and this is my initiation?”
I rub both of her shoulders and hold her gaze. “Nah. It’s just a different world, a little closed-off sometimes. People kind of keep their distance unless you’re married or engaged to a player.”
“Oh.” Her eyes flutter.
A smirk spreads on my lips. “We can make that happen if you want.”
She scoffs a laugh. “Hudson Arrows, always on the fast track.”
“I’m not sure slow is for us.” I’m serious, and by the way her face stills for a second, I think she understands my sentiment.
“You haven’t even met my grandmother yet.” It sounds like a challenge.
“I’ll rectify that.”
Piper glances away then back at me. “I don’t doubt that.”
“Don’t worry, you’re the coach’s girl, so by association they may be a little scared of you.”
“Duly noted.”
I glance at my watch and know that I’ve already let break carry on for a minute longer, and it may have people thinking I’m going soft.
“I’m happy you’re here. Also, that you’re not running for the hills after the last five minutes.”
She steps closer to me, her hands sliding up my arms to land on my shoulders. “Nah, running for the hills would mean that you would only chase after me, and I like when you lead the way.”
There is something about her words that lingers inside me the rest of the day.
Piper seemed at ease after chatting with the team coordinators, and a quick lunch was a refreshing change to my schedule.
When I bid her goodbye, I could tell she was at peace yet still missing a piece of her life to make her feel fully calm.
And I have every intention to rectify that.