“Yeah, that’s what I thought, but who the hell knows what happened between those games and them getting their asses here. The first week was a shit show. My elderly grandmother could have wiped the floor with them.”
I chuckled.
“I’m serious. Be grateful you missed out.”
“In that case, I definitely am.”
We stayed on the sidelines watching the practice, exchanging a few observations along the way.
“It’s good you’re here,” Milo said after a few moments of quiet.
Confused, I angled a look at him.
“What you said to them was important. They all need to hear it. I hope you got that shit memorized.”
A little embarrassed, I cleared my throat. “Well, it wasn’t really rehearsed. It just seemed like the right time to start, you know?”
“I think it was better for it. That it wasn’t a prepared speech. These kids are still in the thick of an environment filled with lectures at college. It’s important they don’t get that here. Sure, we’re coaches here, professionals, so there’s a clear division, but sharing our truths without the aid of a PowerPoint presentation means a hell of a lot more to them.”
My tentative smile grew, relieved I’d followed my gut. “Thanks.” I hesitated before saying, “This, everything is all so new….” When I trailed off, he side-eyed me and bobbed his head, letting me know he was listening. “I don’t like screwing up at the best of times, but especially not this.” Whether he knew I was talking about Jayden and the coaching position, I didn’t know. It didn’t really matter either; it applied to both.
Thinking about Jayden, my gaze sought him out. It didn’t take long to find him, and when I did, I groaned.
The asshole was dribbling the ball and dashing around the place like he wasn’t still dealing with a concussion. I wasn’t concerned about his hand since he was limiting his moves to his uninjured right one, but bouncing around like that, he’d end up with a killer of a headache.
At my side, Milo chuckled. “From your reaction, I’m going to assume he shouldn’t be doing that.”
“The word ‘shouldn’t’ seems to mean something very different to Jayden.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s not meant to be doing anything super physical for another week at least.”
“He’s like one of those Energizer bunnies.”
“As annoying as one too,” I shot out, lips curving into a grin, because as much as I wanted to shake Jayden and get him to rest, I loved watching the man on the court.
He moved fluidly, almost gracefully. But in total juxtaposition, he had a raw, effortless strength. Every time he pressed on the balls on his feet or feinted a shift or a pass, control radiated from him. The ball became an extension of his hands.
He was fucking beautiful.
“Not bad for a guy with a broken bone and a concussion,” Milo said from my side.
I shook my head. “He’s fucking magnificent.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, heat enflamed my cheeks. I cleared my throat, mortified. “Uhm, so, what about those Maple Leafs? You catch yesterday’s game?” I cringed. I was so damn lame.
Milo clapped me on the shoulder, his chuckle hearty and loud, catching the attention of several pairs of eyes. “I can’t say that I did, but if the game wasmagnificent, feel free to tell me all about it.”
He continued to laugh through my groans, which soon turned into a smirk.
This coaching gig wasn’t too bad at all, and after I told Jayden that Milo had become my new best pal, it’d top off the first day spectacularly.
CHAPTER15
JAYDEN
For two hoursI managed to ignore the increasing pounding in my head. As we crept closer to the third hour, I was toast. My vision became more blurry, and if I didn’t get my head down in the next ten minutes, I expected to crash where I stood.
“Coach Moore.”
I squinted against the harsh light as I looked up, trying to focus on the speaker of the voice.
“Jay-bomb.” A hand on my elbow accompanied my name. “You don’t look so great.”
