Page 57 of Timelessly Ours
“I thought you didn’t want special treatment.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to be a total dick,” she bites back.
My jaw tics. “I’d been more than fair to you considering—”
“Considering I’m such a tragedy?” Her lips twist tauntingly at me and I can’t look away.
“I’m getting quite tired of that mouth of yours.” It’s a low growl but it’s out before I can stop it.
Her eyes dip to my lips mockingly. Then she lifts to her toes, holding my biceps for support as she murmurs. “That’s because you haven’t seen everything it can do.”
16
The next few days, I pretty much stay out of Coach’s way—because that’s the mood he’s been in since the weekend—Big Bad Coach mood. Where everyone and everything annoys him, save for his dog.
I knew something was up when Angel came by one evening and he snapped at her out of the blue. She wasn’t fazed by it, but I worried that his mood had something to do with me.
Until I sat down Thursday night to tune into a live game.
The Buffalo Blades have been losing.
After starting off the season strong, they’ve lost five games in two weeks.
I winced when I caught a glimpse of Coach on TV. When he brushed his hair back and looked like he wanted to punch through the plexiglass.
I’ve seen his rage during a game. It always seemed appropriate somehow. Competitive and aggressive, but all in a fair game way. But this week, he seemed stressed on an entirely new level.
On Friday night, I catch replays on the post-game show when Rory’s asleep and am surprised to see most of the attention on Coach Collins rather than the team. I watch him give a thirty-second interview to a pushy reporter before storming off. Nick right behind him and filling in to avoid them going after Coach.
I’m about to shut it off when I hear the question thrown at my brother.
“Nick, everyone wants to know. Are the rumors true about Coach Collins stepping down after this season for Robbie Hastings to step in?”
Nick’s jaw tics in that familiar way but then he smiles politely and gives a soft chuckle. “I believe he’s already addressed this and I haven’t heard anything otherwise.”
Pulling up my phone, I google what this Hastings business is about and find the press conference Royce was talking about last week. I pause the television and tune into the video on my phone.
Agree with my twin—asked and answered.
Shit. I remember him mentioning this guy was gunning for his position but he didn’t seem all that concerned—just annoyed that he had to deal with it.
I didn’t even ask him about it. I was too busy challenging him and causing all kinds of drama while he’s been struggling to keep his job.
Mature, Nicole. Real mature.
It’s after nine and the house grows a little colder as the wind picks up outside. I know that despite the loss, the team has gone to Bridges for their usual gathering.
As much as I want to not miss it—my old job—I do. Not the waiting on people, but the comradery, the laughs, the teasing and…spending time with Coach on a not-so-tension-filled level. When I wasn’t his employee. When I wasn’t constantly feeling the need to lie.
When he looked at me like someone he could talk to all night rather than someone he couldn’t get away from fast enough.
I’m about to turn up the heat in the house when the doorbell rings.
“Nicky, it’s us, open up.” My brother’s familiar voice comes from the other side of the front door.
What the hell?
I pull it open and two large hockey players and my best friends step into the house.
