My players nodded, and the four kids in head-to-toe gear cheered. From what I heard, they’d gotten chummy this morning while signing their one-day contracts with management.
Jack squeezed his hand whistle—he was in a helmet with a cage to protect his face. “I want Jamie and Tyler at center ice!” The two boys skated forward, placing their sticks down on the Speed logo, standing opposite each other. “They will demonstrate properly winning the face-off. I expect the rest of you to pay attention. If you’re not winning face-offs, especially in the defensive zone, you’re giving your opponent an opportunity.”
From the corner of my eye, I caught Braxton giving an appraising nod. His nephew, Beau, was about the same age, and I could imagine he saw the potential in Jack.
Truth be told, I did too.
“Say thank you to Coach Sterling,” Jack’s mom, Debbie, prompted.
Immediately obeying, he chirped, “Thank you, Coach Sterling!”
Tossing him a wink, I offered, “I think since we’re colleagues, it’s safe for you to call me Maddox.”
His blue eyes grew comically large, and he nodded in a daze. “Maddox.”
I ruffled his blond hair. “That’s better. And you’re more than welcome.”
Turning to Debbie, I held out my phone. “If you want to give me your contact info, I can see about getting Jack into a few more games before the end of the season.” The Dream Day participants would be viewing tomorrow night’s game from a luxury box, courtesy of the Speed, but I wanted to do a little something for Jack.
Uncertain, she eyed the cell where I extended it. “Oh, you’ve already done enough.”
Shaking it, I stood firm. “Please let me do this.”
“Pleeeeeease, Mom,” Jack begged, watching our exchange.
Sighing, she gave in. “Oh, all right. If you insist.” Debbie typed in her phone number before handing me back the phone.
Immediately, I texted her my number. “Great. Now you have my info too. If Jack ever wants to catch up or has any more extremely valuable insight into my team he’d like to share, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Placing her hand on her son’s shoulder, she guided him toward the exit. “We should get going.”
“Nice meeting you, Jack. Hope to see you again soon,” I called after them.
Debbie turned around, gratitude in her eyes as she mouthed,Thank you, before rounding the corner out of sight.
This event always made an impact, but I had a feeling this year’s would leave a lasting mark on my soul. And who knew, maybe someday I could offer Jack his start in coaching? Wouldn’t that be wild?
Chapter 27
Bristol
It might’ve only beena couple of weeks, but Maddox and I had fallen into a rhythm. We kept our relationship professional while at work, but the minute we were at home—usually his—a transformation occurred, and we fell into our domestic roles.
Maddox was an amazing cook. He insisted that he prepare meals for us to share and joked that from now on, he would hand-select our wine pairing each evening. I was happy to allow him to take care of me, even though it took a minute to get used to.
And boy, did he take care of me at night. It was a miracle I could walk straight when entering the arena most mornings. With how little sleep we were getting, you’d think I’d be dead on my feet, but instead, I was invigorated. The steady stream of orgasms had my skin glowing.
It was so noticeable that Alyssa hounded me daily, demanding to know my secret. Eventually, I was forced to tell her the truth. It was sex. Lots and lots of mind-blowing sex with a virile man who made my toes curl with only a look.
She’d muttered, “Lucky bitch,” under her breath but said she was happy for me, and I knew she meant it. I’d disclosed my past during our early days of working together, so she knew I was due for a good guy to sweep me off my feet.
And that’s precisely what Maddox had done. I was walking on air.
I’d just pressed send on my daily article to my editor when Maddox plopped down onto his oversized leather couch beside me, plucking the computer from my hands and placing it on the coffee table.
Laughing, I teased, “Guess it’s a good thing I was done.”
He eased me into his arms, and I inhaled his scent. “I knew you were. I was sitting on my hands in the kitchen, patiently waiting until it was my time.”
