Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“Your line has been the constant the whole time,” he continues, “but the other lines are always being switched up. Has that been helping you guys?”
“I think that changing things up is good for the team,” Jaxon replies. “We started off the year in a slump and you have to make those changes in order to find out what is working for us.” He looks up at Timothy. “We’re in a good spot for the next couple of games. We’ll see what happens.”
“Coach Gilmore.” Timothy puts his hand up. “You’ve been in the press a lot these last couple of months. Both good and bad.”
“You don’t say?” I lean back.
“Do you think that maybe your focus has shifted in light of the recent events?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I play dumb. “My focus has always been on the team. I’m sure no one would come to you and ask you if your focus was on your job if you have one article that is bad.” I raise my eyebrows. “We all have good and bad days. As much as I want to win every single game, it’s just not possible. But I have faith in the guys who are on the ice.”
“So you aren’t playing favorites with the guys?” he asks me.
“I’m giving ice time to the guys who want to be on the ice.” I look him dead in the eyes. “You come at me right now and tell me who on that ice doesn’t merit being there?” I wait a second for him to answer. “That’s what I thought.”
We walk out of the press conference and Jaxon looks over at Timothy, the two of them sharing a look. I push him out of the room, and he looks back over. “What a fucking tool,” he mumbles as we make it back to the locker room and get ready for the big game the next night.
I get to the rink the next day at the same time as the guys. The press is there snapping pictures. My head is down as I walk into the rink, going to the coaches’ room. The lines are going to stay the same as the last game.
My phone rings an hour before the game and I look down to see it’s Victoria. “Hey,” I say, putting the phone to my ear.
“Hi,” she replies breathlessly, “I was hoping to catch you before you left.” I smile. “Good luck tonight.”
“Thank you.” I lean back in my chair. “I’ll see you after the game?”
“Yes, sir,” she confirms, “and I asked for the day off tomorrow so I can spend time with you before you leave.” I smile big. “I know how needy you can get.”
I look around, making sure I’m all alone. “Well then, I’m just going to have to fuck you hard enough to make sure you don’t forget about me for the three days.” She laughs and it makes my dick stir in my pants.
“Challenge accepted. Go make them skate hard, my love.”
“I’ll try,” I reply. “See you later, yeah?”
“Only if you win.” I can hear the teasing in her voice. “No one wants to go out after they lose a game. It’s all like mopey and shit. Ruins it for everyone.”
“Goodbye.” I disconnect the phone on a laugh.
I get behind the bench when it’s time and look up to the suite. I know she’s there, seeing movement but not seeing her. My heart beats in my chest hard. “I’m so fucking nervous,” I confess to the guys, “and I’m not even the one on the ice.” The whole bench chuckles. “I can’t even imagine how you guys must feel. Your hearts must be ready to come out of your asses.” I walk up and down behind the bench. “Three periods. No pressure, but this could make or break us.”
“No pressure.” Eric chuckles as the puck drops. The guys are playing as if their lives depend on it. They are the first ones on the puck; they are winning the battles in the corners. They are shooting the puck and hitting the net, but the goaltender is having the game of his life tonight.
The game is tied and it’s four minutes left in the third period. I look up and down, going to Cam. “Calling a time-out,” I tell him. “Show them the play we worked out in the second period.” He nods at me, going to the side to get the whiteboard.
I noticed the other team is playing the box with four of the players and using a forward to chase the puck, leaving the middle open. If we get a guy to go into the middle, it will leave the sides open for our guys to try and take the shot.
I hold up my hand in the air for a time-out as the referee blows the whistle and the guys come over to the bench. Standing next to Eric, I mumble, “If this doesn’t work,” and then I hear Cam giving the instructions to the play. He’s fucking it all up, basically saying to give the puck to the guy in the middle of the box, who will have no chance to get it to the net with all the bodies in front of him.