Page 39 of Timelessly Ours
The moderator addresses the crowd. “Thank you for joining us, I’m now going to welcome Coach Royce Collins, who has some news he’d like to share. Coach Collins, the floor is yours.”
“Thank you, everyone. It’s not so much that I have news to share, it’s more to set the record straight. I have not announced a plan to retire or step down. Robbie Hastings’ move to town is certainly exciting and I’ll be the first one to welcome him. But his return…and the fact that he’s…here today…does not mean a change to the coach team. From my understanding”—I glance at Robbie—“he’s reuniting with the family he left behind here in Hollyville.”
“Coach Collins, what about your family? Have you given any thought about spending more time with your daughter?”
I know they’re referring to Rory—and the rumors from six years ago about my sleeping around landing me a child at my doorstep.
“I have two daughters and just like other single parents with full-time jobs, I make plenty of time for them.”
“Who’s your younger daughter with now?”
“She’s with her nanny. Were there any other questions regarding my position as head coach?”
I give it two seconds before signaling to the moderator that I’m finished and step away from the stand.
A knock on my office door minutes later ticks me off, because I half expected Robbie to follow me up here. Saying things like, “nice try, but the seed is planted”.
“What is it?” I bark.
The door creaks open and Jace’s head peers through. “Bad time?”
I release a breath. “Always. What do you want?”
Glancing behind him, he steps in and closes the door. Then settles into one of the chairs at my desk and watches me. “What really happened?”
“Jace, I don’t have time for this. I have another meeting with the owners later this afternoon and I’d like to not think about the joke back in town.”
“I’m not talking about Hastings. That creep has moved around so many times in the last fifteen years, whatever he’s selling, no one is going to buy.”
I nod. “You just bought yourself five minutes. What’s up?”
He sits up. “I’m talking about Nicole. You told Nick she never left the lot.”
“That’s right.” I flip through papers on my desk, not sure I like where this is going.
“I went out there after you. Both your cars were gone. And then she ends up at your place? Please tell me you didn’t—”
I point a finger at him. “First of all, it’s none of your goddamn business what I do. Second, time’s up, get out.”
He leans back. “I’m getting warm, aren’t I?”
I throw my arms up like I’m the only sane person in the room. “You haven’t said anything.”
“And I won’t, Coach.” He pins me with a glare that tells me he’s serious. “Where did you find her?”
I release a slow breath, pull off my glasses, and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“How bad was it?”
“She blacked out. Brought her to my place to sleep it off.”
He curses and rubs his forehead. “Nick would have had a fit.”
“I know.”
“On and off the ice.”
“Yep.”
