“Goodness,” Kathleen sighs as she drops onto the bench beside her granddaughter.
It takes everything in me not to walk over and give her a hug. I remember all too well how hard it was when Dad used to go for away games. Especially a stretch as long as this one. And for it to be at the beginning of the season as well? It’s tough, even for the veterans.
Sutton pauses what she’s doing, drops her laces, and turns to her gran. “It’s okay, Gran. We made it safely. That’s all that matters. You can go.”
Oh, my heart.
Kathleen studies her granddaughter for a moment before hopping back up, kissing her cheek, and rushing away again.
My legs move without instruction from my brain, and in less than three seconds, I’m on my knees before Sutton, reaching for her laces.
“Let me help you with that, sweetie,” I say softly.
She turns to look at me. I’m sure she's about to tell me that she can do it herself—which I don’t doubt—but her stubbornness falters when her eyes land on my face.
“Hey,” I say with a smile that’s at odds with the guilt twisting me up inside.
I still haven’t told Kodie about this.
I should have. I know I should have. But I’m terrified that it’ll just give him yet another reason to end this thing between us.
“Hi,” she says, her eyes bouncing between mine as she figures this out. “You’re our new coach, aren’t you?”
My smile grows.
Fuck. I love having that title.
Coach.
“I am. Is that okay?”
Her eyes light up, and I relax a little. “Okay? That’s more than okay. Your dad is amazing.”
I chuckle.
So is yours, sweetie. So is yours.
“Well, let’s hope I’m good too, huh?”
“You’ll do great,” she assures me as I finish up her skates and stand.
“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to your new assistantcoach, Casey Watson,” Megan says, turning all attention to me again. “Just like you guys, Casey started playing hockey from a very young age, and she won numerous leagues and competitions over the years. You might also recognize her as the daughter of the Vipers head coach, James Watson.”
All the girls stare at me with wide, excited eyes.
God, I really hope I’m good at this and can give them the guidance they deserve.
“Hey, everyone,” I say, waving awkwardly. “I’m so excited to be working with you. I can’t wait to get on the ice and see what you’ve got.”
They all smile and say hello as Megan takes the register and the parents either get settled in to watch the hour session or excuse themselves to run errands.
“Come on then, my little bears,” Megan says as she opens the gate and lets them flood onto the ice.
I’m frozen for a moment, struck by a million childhood memories.
I lived for this time on the ice. It was my favorite time of the week. The only thing that topped it was when Dad and I hit the ice together. I fucking loved that. He’d show me everything he knew, helping me work on skills I was struggling with.
Finally, I force my legs to move, and I follow them out. But the second my skate hits the ice, regret slams into me.
