Page 65 of Love You Already
My wife.
I skate over to her in a rush, my heart damn near leaping out of my chest to get to her. “What are you doing here?”
She shrugs as she blushes beneath the stares of the team and coaching staff. I know most of the guys know who she is, and the ones who don't will soon enough. Gossip runs rampant on hockey teams.
“You were right about the bar. I could use extra help. I convinced Mel to take over for me for the night. I know it's not a long time, but I figured it was worth the effort.”
I pull her into a kiss to show how much her effort means to me. Wolf whistles go up from around us as the guys shout their support. It's a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. The moment my wife came to me, met me in the middle. It's also the end of our first real argument. If the team weren't here, I'd be dragging her off for some makeup sex.
“We need to finish up practice, Lachlan. Can you have your lady friend sit —”
I interrupt Coach to correct him. “My wife.”
His eyes go wide. “Oh, my apologies then. Please have your wife take a seat. We need to wrap this up. I want to run this a couple more times before calling it quits. Riggs is close to catching the rhythm.”
I nod as I give Rose one more quick kiss. “Take a seat, Ace. Watch me in my element.”
She sits on the bench at Coach's insistence. My eyes track over the guys as they watch me come back across the ice. They pat my back and congratulate me on having her here and then tell me they're going to help make me look better.
“Let's get this going. Riggs, you're up, kid,” I say as I point his way.
The guy is only two years into his contract and up until now he's shown to be still as green as the day he signed. He’s got the skill to go far. He just needs someone to show him he’s worth it, that he can make it big if he believes in himself.
If there’s a team out there able to do so, it’s the Coyotes. They got me to see my worth after being abruptly traded. This team heals broken hearts and mends weakened confidences. I have no doubt he’ll be up to speed by the time we need him to.
CHAPTER 31
LET ME HAVE A TASTE. PRETTY PLEASE.
Rose
Being a part of Lachlan's world is different than I expected it to be. He's a big figure here in the city. People know his face and name with ease. That much was clear when I called his agent Todd and told him I needed access to the stadium today. He arranged it all without question.
“You're good for him. I'll do anything in my power to keep the two of you that way,” he'd told me.
After practice, I wait for Lachlan to shower while listening to the coaching staff talk about Riggs and the team dynamic. I don't mean to overstep, but my mouth gets away from me before I have a chance to stop.
“The problem is his confidence. He doesn't feel like he's earned his spot.”
Four very big men turn my way at the blurted words. The head coach waves me over. “What do you mean, little lady? Tell us your thoughts.”
“He's new, right? Like new, new. This is the NHL. His dream. The biggest thing to happen to him in his life, and it probably still feels like he's an imposter. You remember being a kid and being able to play with an older group. It felt like you were going to be cool too, but then you get out there and you're all newborn deer mode.”
I get a few chuckles for that. “Ok, then what do we do to help him along? How can we boost him up?”
“Is there a way to prove to him he's a valuable member of the team? Like with a fan event. Or maybe a fundraiser. Something to let him know that this move, that this team, is worth him giving his all. I've watched footage of him with my brother, and from what I see, he holds promise.”
They all nod along like what I'm saying makes sense. I take the opportunity to add another point.
“You may also want to see about his family. From the stuff I read, he left behind a single mom and a little brother when he moved here. I don't know if it's a finance thing or a logistics one but having them here with him would probably also boost his morale. If I were you, I'd give it a shot at least. Talk to him. Get him to open up about it.”
“How... you just blew my mind. This could definitely be the issue. We didn't think about all that because with Grady getting injured and needing the switch to happen fast, we got caught up in the paperwork and numbers rather than the emotions. Thank you for your insight,” Coach says sincerely.
I'm shocked at his words. I can't help but nod my head along. It's another minute before the four of them trudge off to the locker rooms too. I sit on the bench, phone in hand as I text Beckett.
Rose
I'm sitting in the player box on the ice after just talking strategy with the coaches. Wishing you were here! *selfie attached*