Page 63 of Banter & Blushes #1

ETHAN

I still haven’t replied to Mia’s text. At least she let me know after I left the guys, but before I got to the beach. I’m half tempted to call in sick because they knew I was going to meet her, so they’ll have all kinds of questions for me today at practice.

When they find out she didn’t show, they’ll love ribbing me about it for hours…days…weeks even. I’ll become their poster boy for the worst date that never happened. A shining example of what eating your words looks like because I was the one who said I’d never been more sure of anything in my life.

Well, lesson learned. I won’t make that mistake again. From now on, anytime a woman shows interest in me, I’ll proceed with extreme caution. This one can go down in the record books as an epic fail, along with some valuable wisdom gained.

Once I reach the locker room, I head straight to my cubby and change into my practice gear. I’m early, so only a few of the rookies are here, and they aren’t interested in my love life, thank goodness. The sooner I hit the ice, the easier it will be to avoid the inevitable questions.

As I enter the rink, I knock a stack of pucks off the boards and start practicing my slap shots while I wait for the rest of the guys.

Wade slides into my periphery vision and skates toward the net as I swing back, ready to let my frustration out on another black disk. The crack of my stick splits the air, spraying ice as the puck rockets forward—only to clang off the post and slam into the boards.

A miss.

Figures. Pretty much sums up how things are going with Mia—all this effort and still wide of the mark.

After sliding his helmet on, Wade takes his position in the crease. “Hold up there a minute so I can warm up.”

While he does his stretches and those weird goalie moves that make him look like a deranged robot, I take a puck down toward the other end of the ice to practice my shoot-out skills, passing the spot where Mia wrote her phone number on the plexiglass.

As I near the opposite net, I remember her standing there, watching me right before I plowed into the boards.

Elias skates in, practically snowing me as he tries to steal the puck. I pull a deke, fooling him into thinking I planned to skate behind the net but slip the puck in with a backhanded shot.

He skates around the other side and cuts me off. “Nice move.”

“Thanks.”

He studies me. “What? No bragging about your date last night?”

I shake my head and scoop the puck out of the net with my stick to set up another shot. “Nothing to talk about.”

“That bad?”

“I said nothing to talk about.”

His eyes widen with my tone. “Message received.”

Most of the guys are on the ice now, including Coach Markelson, who’s about to blow his whistle to get our attention.

I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated that whistle more than right now.

Practice means staying focused on the drills and skirmishes he has mapped out for us today.

We can’t be jawing about my failed date.

That doesn’t mean I don’t get some looks from Elias when we partner up. I’m guessing he said something to Mathéo because he’s also studying me as if he’s trying to figure out what happened.

After we nail the first drill, Payton skates near, giving me a sympathy pat on the back as he passes. And I’m pretty sure the last shot I made into the net was a pity goal from Wade.

I don’t believe I’ve ever been happier over practice ending than I am today. The guys must get I’m in no mood for their chirps, so they steer clear as I get cleaned up. And just as I think I can make a clean getaway, Coach Markelson steps into the locker room.

“McKennan, a word, please?” Brows raised, he waits for me to follow him into his office. And shuts the door once I’m inside. Never a great sign.

He gestures at the seat in front of his desk as he sits down. “Look…”

Yeah, when someone starts with that, it’s never good.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Shoot, Coach. ”

He rubs a hand over his mouth. “My daughter Kaia’s doing a presentation about hockey for her fourth-grade class.”

“That’s cool.” No idea where this is going, but I have my suspicions.

“She loves coming to the games when it isn’t a school night.” He hesitates. “And you’re her favorite player.”

I splay my hand on my chest. “Me?”

He smirks. “Yes, you. She asked me if you’d be willing to help her.”

“Why not you? You’re the coach.”

“Her presentation is titled ‘The Dynamics and Dangers of Ice Hockey.’ She plans to walk the class through all the gear—with visuals.”

“And she wants me to be her personal hockey mannequin.”

He nods. “Would you mind?”

“No, not at all. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”

His relief is palpable. “Great. Thanks, Ethan. I really appreciate it. I know Kaia will, too.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Coach jots down the details on a notepad, then tears off the sheet and hands it to me. “She wants you in full gear. You can put your skates on there.”

I tuck the slip of paper into my pocket as I stand, but I don’t leave. Elias said Jack told him not to talk about it, but there’s a part of me that’s not ready to give up on Mia. But if the team gets relocated, there’s no point pursuing anything with her.

“Coach, I heard a rumor that they’re moving us to another city. Is it true?”

His brows shoot up again, clearly surprised, but I can’t tell if my question caught him off guard or he doesn’t know about it.

“Who told you that?” His expression turns stern.

“One of the guys overheard Jack on a phone call.” I’m not going to say who, and hopefully, Coach won’t ask.

“Let me get back to you on that, okay?”

I nod. “Sure thing.”

After I leave his office, I walk through the locker room on my way out. The place is deserted. I blow out a relieved breath that none of the guys hung around to give me a hard time.

I’m almost to my car when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Part of me hopes it’s Mia reaching out again, but I’m still not sure whether to respond or let it go. Not until I know if the rumor about the team is true.

But I don’t have to worry about it because it’s the guys blowing up my phone.

Elias: I apologize in advance for saying anything. (Eye roll emoji)

Mathéo: So, it was a bust with the bunny? ( Bunny ears emoji)

Wade: E, my sister’s in town next week. I could fix you two up. But if you touch her, you’ll need a wheelchair.

Payton: It’s clearly a trap, Ethan. Say no.

Ethan: Give it a rest, guys. I’m fine.

Elias: You weren’t fine at practice.

Ethan: Well, I’m fine now.

Wade: Good, because there’s no way in hell I’m letting you near my sister.