Page 23 of Timelessly Ours
“Coach Collins,” I deliberately correct.
He half grins. “I’m interested in coming on board. I think you and I will work well together.”
“I didn’t realize there was an open position with the commentators.”
He glares at me. “As head coach.”
“Last I checked, I’m not retiring.”
“I’m not asking you to retire. I want you by my side. I don’t have to tell you; you know I brought the Blue Wings to finals year after year. We brought home the Stanley Cup for three of them in my ten years as Coach. When was the last time the Blades won?”
We’ve won twice. But it’s been a while. And the last two years, we haven't got very close at all. Earlier this year, it was because we lost Jace for the season after I found out he’d been hiding an injury. Without him, we didn’t stand much of a chance.
“If this is why you’re here, I’m probably the wrong person to be having this conversation with.” I round my desk and take a seat, finished with this conversation.
Hastings doesn’t move. “I was hoping we could come to some sort of a mutual agreement on how we can work together before I talk to the execs, but…”
I point to the door. “But you were wrong. I have no desire or intention of working with you. Please see yourself out. And don’t go calling my assistant, demanding a meeting with me. You can put in a request for one and someone will get back to you…like everyone else.”
Ouch. That may have been a little out of line, but what do you expect, the guy marched into my office and basically told me to hand over my job.
It’s after six o’clock by the time I leave the arena. Nicole didn’t give me a chance to worry much between all her text messages throughout the day.
I’ve been checking as often as I could without much of a chance of responding, but it’s the two voicemails she left I choose to replay on the drive home.
“She’s dropped off…By the way, the woman with the blonde hair who took Rory from me at the gate—gave me the side eye. Not cool.”
I hit play on the next voicemail, like it’s my new favorite song. The kind of song you know you’re too grown up to like but you just can’t help yourself.
“Picked her up. This time, blondie brought a friend. But don’t worry, I kept my mouth shut. Ugh. Fine, no I didn’t. I might have said something along the lines of…. ‘If you keep looking at me like I’m the floozy who slept with your husband, I’ll make it happen.’ Ha – you should have seen their faces. Don’t worry, Rory didn’t hear me. I mean, give me some credit, I have class!”
I chuckle for the third time and check the recent texts I missed.
Nicole: Where do you keep the mac and cheese?
The next one came through thirty minutes later.
Nicole: Never mind. I gave her a blue lollipop earlier so she’s all set.
Nicole: Didn’t you have a dog?
Jesus Christ.
I race into the house at a speed I haven’t known in years. I march to the back of the house where I hear Rover’s paws against the hardwood coming toward me.
“Hey, boy.” I ruffle his head and nose and he follows me into the kitchen.
Nicole is clearing dishes from the table and putting them in the sink.
“Daddy.” Rory jumps off the chair and wraps her arms around my leg.
Nicole tosses a dishrag down and turns to me. She’s just as stunning as she was this morning…with maybe a little bit of a day.
“See you found the dog,” I say, treading in warily.
Rory frowns. “Rover was here the whole time.”
I cup my daughter's head and lift it. “Stick out your tongue.”