Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Bodi
And Coach Morrison is pissed.
He closed the locker room door after the game and let us have it.
It was a little disconcerting to see that much rage after the very first game.
We’re a new team, only a handful of us have played together before, and there are a few rookies on the team still finding their footing.
The worst part, in my opinion, was how he went after Vik.
Like he singlehandedly lost the game for us.
I’ve never seen a tirade quite like it.
So, we’re all quiet as we head back to the showers.
Vik doesn’t seem overly upset—probably because he only understood half of the things Coach said—but the team as a whole is subdued as we shower and dress in our street clothes.
Billie is waiting to see me, so I hurry out to the area where guests are allowed to wait.
We’re not the home team so there isn’t any kind of lounge but that’s okay.
I’m dying to hear what she thinks of Jayne and get a glimpse of Jayne too.
“Hey!” Billie runs forward and launches herself into my arms. “I missed you so much!”
“Me too.” I hug her tightly. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Her eyes twinkle as she whispers, “And your girlfriend is a delight.”
Relief washes over me.
I figured they would get along but now that I know for sure, I can breathe. It would be a nightmare if Billie didn’t like her.
“You like her?”
“A lot. She’s smart and funny and she really seems to care about you, Bodi. I hope you’re not planning to screw this up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence!” I say, shaking my head even though I know she’s kidding.
“We really had a good time during the game.”
“I hope we can spend more time together in L.A.”
“We came up with a plan.” She pauses. “Rome is looking forward to seeing you too.”
I chuckle. “You sure?”
“Yes! You guys are good now.” She pauses. “Right?”
“Of course. I’m just teasing.” I wink.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow night.”
“I wish we had more time,” I tell her, hugging her again. “But we’re heading straight to the airport.”
“No worries. It was great being able to see you play.” She smiles. “You can come to the house if Coach lets you out.”
“He said something about a curfew,” I mutter, “but he might relent to see my sister. If not, you can come to the hotel.”
“Of course. And don’t worry about J, I’ll take care of her. She had to get back to the hotel and pack so we can talk to Lourdes and then hit the road.”
I chuckle. “Whatever the two of you want to do is fine with me. I’ll see you later. Drive safe. Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too!” She smiles and walks toward the elevators.
“Who’s that?” Simon asks, coming over to me and staring at Billie with interest.
Hockey players really are horn dogs, and even though I’ve come a long way in therapy, she’s still my kid sister, so I can’t help but scowl.
“That is my sister. And she’s taken.”
He laughs. “The hot ones always are.”
I’ve just gotten to the hotel in L.A. when Jayne’s name flashes on the screen of my phone.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hi!” She sounds a little breathless. “Billie and I are almost to L.A.”
“I’m sorry you had to drive so late, but I can’t wait to see you.”
“We’ll be there soon. Let’s just hope no one sees me in the hotel.”
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be in the lobby waiting. If I see anyone, I’ll text you.”
“Okay, good.”
“Was Lourdes mad?”
“Actually, no. She was anxious to get home and didn’t seem to care what my plans are. She’s in a good mood because Lindy won today.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
“Yeah, so she wanted to pack and get ready to fly home tomorrow. Hopefully, my Dad will be just as laid back.”
“You think he’ll be suspicious?”
“I don’t know. But it’s one thing not to want me to date players—I can’t have female friends either?”
“Believe me, I agree, but he was pissed tonight.”
“Are you guys on lockdown?”
“Yeah. Not that it matters—we didn’t get here until nearly two.”
“That’s his favorite way to play mind games with his players.”
“Yeah, well, I think he underestimates the star power on this team. Guys like West and Vik aren’t going to play any kind of mind games. They’ll go with the flow for now, but if he makes their lives complicated, I get the feeling they’ll push back. West could literally go anywhere in the league.”
“My dad is a difficult man and, from what I’ve seen, an even more difficult coach. He does get results, though.”
“I think that’s what we’re all counting on.”
“His methods are questionable, in my opinion, but they wouldn’t have hired him if they didn’t think he would be good for a new team.”
“I’m just trying to do the best I can and not take anything personally. Sometimes you have to suck it up. This is part of life. Lots of people don’t like their boss and they make a hell of a lot less money than I do.”
“That’s very true. It’s just a little harder for me because he’s my father and every time I’ve tried to push back, he makes me feel guilty.
” She pauses. “I think he was always overbearing but my mom knew how to manage him. Things got harder when she died, and then once he married Lourdes, she made everything a million times worse.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“None of this is your fault. I’m just trying to navigate things most people have already figured out by the time they’re twenty-three.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re already doing it. Being here for me. Introducing me to your awesome sister. Inviting me on this epic trip.”
“Yeah, a trip where you got to spend more time with my sister than me,” I pretend to complain.
“Don’t worry, big guy,” Billie yells out, “I’ll let you play with your friend too.”
We all laugh.
“Drive safe,” I say. “See you when you get here.”
“Can’t wait,” she says before hanging up.
I’m excited that she’s staying longer and spending the night with me again, but I’m also a little nervous about her coming to L.A.
when her father seems to be on the war path.
The season just started. It’s way too soon for him to be freaking out and berating players.
He needs to work with us, figure out a way to tweak the systems he’s putting in place so that we’re all on the same page.
Yelling and curfews aren’t helpful at this stage.
But I’m not getting paid to be a coach—I just have to get out on the ice every night and play my ass off.
And try not to get caught sleeping with my coach’s daughter.
I’m pretty sure I know which one of those things is going to be harder.