“That you were smart, and I can’t teach that. You’ve been a coach all year and you don’t even realize it. I’ve seen Carter improve by leaps and bounds while working with you. You won’t be coaching the whole team, only a few of the guys at first. If it goes well, they’ll have an assistant position open in the fall, and they’d love to have a student coach.”
“Student?”
“Sounds like a logical step for you, doesn’t it?”
Josh nodded and stood up when his coach did, taking the offered hand to shake.
“Promise me you’ll think about it,” Coach said, stopping at the door.
“Yeah,” Josh responded. “I will.”
Josh shut the door behind him and leaned against it. His lips twitched. Once. Twice. Then they settled into a full on smile.
Who was he kidding? Think about it? The game was sending him a life raft, a way to stay connected to it. A way to stay whole.
Josh sent a text to Coach minutes after he left.
I’m in. Thank you.
Chapter Twenty-Four
One month later.
“Hi, babe,” Taylor said, wrapping an arm around Josh’s waist. He leaned down to kiss her, smiling against her lips. “Mind if I watch practice?”
“Just don’t distract my boys.” He laughed, pulling on her ponytail. She’d been so excited when her hair had grown long enough to tie it back.
“Me? A distraction?” She winked at him. “Never. I’m only here for the hockey. Oh, and the hot coach.”
She’d watched a few practices over the past couple weeks, and the guys liked her. She was a girl who knew her hockey. There weren’t enough of them around, and this one was his.
The head coach had Josh working with three of his forwards. They were all good, very good, but needed to learn the kind of work ethic and attitude that would get them to the NHL. They were problem players, typical college students. Only, as NHL prospects, being a typical college student wasn’t an option.
He enjoyed teaching them, feeling like he was helping. Some days were harder than others. There was still a huge gulf between him and the game, but every day he spent on the ice with these kids was chipping away at the distance. Everything seemed easier when he had skates on his feet.
When they got to the practice facility, Josh went to the locker room to put his gear on, and Taylor went out to sit in her favorite spot where she said she could see everything they were doing on the ice. She liked to sit there with her sketchbook and let the sounds of the rink envelop her.
She taught him a lot of things, but the biggest was that there was more than one way to love the game. She’d never played a day in her life, but that didn’t diminish her passion. She’d lost a lot to the game as well, but somehow found her way back.
The locker room was empty, and he hoped that meant the guys were already out on the ice and not just late again. His worries were unfounded when he walked down the tunnel and found the three guys standing out on the ice, with a fourth who was in street shoes.
His back was to the glass, but Josh immediately knew who it was. The tall, lanky frame gave it all away.
“You guys want to hear the advice that kept me up with the Jackets this year?” Carter Neil asked.
The three nodded, and Carter went on. “Be the hardest worker out there. The most willing to drop down to block a shot. The first to jump into the fight. Keep your feet moving and your head up. Don't take stupid penalties. Don’t worry too much about scoring. The chances will find you if the rest of your game is solid.”
Josh grinned at Carter’s words and started laughing. Carter turned sheepishly.
“Who told you that?” one of the guys asked.
“Your coach,” he answered, his eyes meeting Josh’s. “Words to live by.”
“Carter,” Josh said, stepping out onto the ice.
Carter brushed his unruly curls out of his eyes. “I figured this was the only way to see you.”
“I know, Man,” Josh said. “I’m sorry. I just needed to be away from the team for a while.”
“I get that. Coach Peterson called me into his office today and said they’re keeping me up through the playoffs. I just…” he paused. “You’re the first person I wanted to tell.”
A bite of jealousy rushed through Josh, but as quickly as it came, it was gone.
“That’s great.” Josh clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”
“Well,” Carter said, looking around. “I’ll let you guys get started. Mind if I stick around?”
“Sure,” Josh shrugged. “Taylor’s over in the corner if you want to sit with her.”
Carter’s face blanched. “Coach’s daughter?”
“She doesn’t bite.” Josh laughed. “Just go.”
He watched Carter make his way over to Taylor. She stopped drawing and smiled up at him before meeting Josh’s gaze.
“Alright.” Josh clapped his hands together, tearing his eyes from Taylor’s and turning back to the young men on the ice. “Let’s get to work.”
<<
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No one ever told Grant Mackenzie that the hardest part of his hockey career, wouldn’t have to do with hockey at all.
About Michelle
Books are an addiction. One I can’t seem to shake. I was the girl who stayed in on a weekend night as a teenager to finish just one more chapter.
Now, I’m the adult lacking in sleep for the very same reason. Making books a career made sense to me. I have two jobs in this life. Taking care of my imaginary friends, testing them every day. And taking care of my niece and nephew. Both are exhausting and completely exhilarating.
Reading has been such an important part of my life, getting me through illness, disability, and more. Stories make us stronger. More compassionate. We wouldn’t be the same without them.
Find me at MichelleLynnAuthor.com
Acknowledgments
Dreams is a labor of love. It tries to ask “what now?” when life takes a hard turn. Not all dreams are attainable and that’s okay. People have limits, some more than others. This book and all my books represent my limits. My disability challenges me every day and forced me to become something I never even thought to dream of becoming – an author.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the people that help me conquer the world from my own house. The ones that help me live a million extraordinary lives, because an ordinary one doesn’t seem attainable at the moment.
My family—parents, sisters, brothers in-law, and niece and nephew—who do more for me than they realize. My parents especially for supporting my writing in every way they can.
My editor and friend, Patrick—who is always good for a sounding board or just a chat.
Michelle, Kimberly, Bethany, Linda, and Kayla—my beta readers who never shrink away from the harsh realities of my early drafts.
All the other friends I’ve made along the way who offer mutual support and advice—you guys rock.
And finally, to my readers and all book lovers out there. None of this would mean as much without you.
To read is to imagine. To imagine is to dream. To dream is to live.
Dreams_A sweet hockey romance Page 22
