This woman has got me all tangled up in knots, and something tells me that this road stretch is going to be one of the hardest I’ve ever experienced.
Kodie: Have a good day. Speak later?
Trouble: Try and stop me
42
CASEY
My hands tremble as I lace up my skates, ready to hit the ice for my first coaching session.
I mean, I’m not expecting to actually do much coaching tonight. I’m just here to see how it all works before I take over.
“Casey, it’s good to see you again,” Megan, the head coach, says, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Have you met Nancy before?” she asks, gesturing to the woman beside her.
“No, we haven’t,” I say, offering her a smile.
“Okay, before we start, I thought we could have a quick run-through of the team,” Megan explains. “From what you said in your interview, it seems you already have some experience watching them.”
My cheeks burn just like when I confessed to my Sunday morning guilty pleasure of hiding in the shadows, watching them.
“Knowing their numbers and chosen positions is only half the job, though. I don’t know who the girls are really, and that is just as important.”
She smiles at me, and I instantly relax.
This is where I’m meant to be.
I’m inside the arena that I love, helping girls play the sport that has shaped my entire life.
I breathe a sigh of relief and listen as Megan talks through each girl on her roster.
Only ten minutes later, the sound of little girls’ chatter hits my ears, and I look up just in time to see the first members of the team walk toward us with their parents trailing behind, mostly with heavy bags.
“Good afternoon,” Megan calls. “Get yourselves ready—I’ve got someone to introduce you to.”
Every set of eyes turns to me. I’m not surprised; I’m the obvious new addition.
More girls arrive and get their skates on with the help of their parents. But as I scan the group, I can’t help but notice Sutton’s absence.
She should be here. She was on Megan’s list. And from the way Megan spoke about her, I’d say it’s highly likely that she’s this team’s MVP.
“Okay,” Megan says, glancing around, mentally doing a head count.
Her eyes collide with Nancy’s, and an unspoken question floats between them.
Kodie only left this morning. He’ll be beside himself if something has happened.
Discreetly, I check my cell. Not that I really think he’d call me if there was an issue.
I’m no one. Just the off-limits woman he’s fucking behind everyone’s backs.
“Before we hit the ice this afternoon, I want to introduce you to?—”
“I’m so sorry,” Kodie’s mom calls as she and Sutton come running toward us.
“No problem. Come and join us,” Megan says softly as a frantic Kathleen pulls skates from the bag over her shoulder and drops to her knees.
“It’s okay, Gran. Go and sort the car out. I’ve got this,” Sutton says, taking control of the situation.
