Page 18

Lincoln is slumped back in his chair with his arms behind his head, biceps bulging, looking like a damn snack in that charcoal suit.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he says before closing his eyes, ending the conversation.

I shake my head and laugh quietly.

I hum to myself before picking up my phone to text Sadie the shocking, but also amazing, news.

She had way less to drink than me last night, so she should be up by now.

Probably meditating on my balcony, if I had to guess.

Well, Grayson got fired.

Sadie

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

About damn time.

*Selfie of Sadie on my balcony silently screaming with her hand in the air*

Did I interrupt your meditation?

Sadie

I was just about done.

My ears started ringing and the universe told me something was about to happen so I ended my session.

Not 10 seconds later did you text me with that amazing news.

I can’t help it.

I snort.

This girl is too damn much.

I look up to see Lincoln glaring at me.

“I’m sorry. Did I interrupt your nap over there, Coach?”

He proceeds to shut his eyes but doesn’t say a word.

Well, alrighty then.

I think Lincoln knows who went to HR about Grayson but he says he has no idea.

Sadie

I’d bet my left tit that it was him or Hunter.

Just the left one?

I see the three dots letting me know Sadie is typing but as I’m waiting for her response, Jerry makes his way back into the conference room.

That was a quick phone call.

My phone buzzes in my hand as I flip it over onto the table at the same time Lincoln sits up, pretending he wasn’t taking a little cat nap.

He really should sleep instead of sending me emails all night.

“Well, Becky is fully on board with promoting Hunter to assistant coach.”

I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face.

Hunter is going to lose his mind when he finds out the good news.

I look over at Lincoln and catch him staring at me.

When my eyes snag his, he diverts his penetrating gaze swiftly to something over my shoulder.

Why was he watching me so intently?

I can’t lie.

The thoughts send a thrill of something peculiar through me.

The man is as much a mystery to me as my ever-evolving feelings toward him are.

Jerry’s voice interrupts my questioning thoughts about Lincoln.

“I’ll let you two tell him the good news at your meeting today. Do you think you can handle that and let the rest of the staff know about Grayson’s departure? No need to give any details. If they have questions or concerns they can bring them to me or Becky. Sound good?”

I nod at the same time Lincoln responds, “Yes, sir.”

Jerry knocks his knuckles on the table and gives us both a curt nod.

“I have a good feeling about this. You two, along with Hunter, may be just what this team needs to give us a winning record again. If you need anything, don’t be afraid to reach out.”

Lincoln and I, in unison like a damn acapella group or something, respond with a quick “Thank you, sir.”

Jerry exits the room, and I turn to look at Lincoln but his focus is already on his phone and his fingers are moving a million miles a minute.

“Sending another email?” I am such a smartass sometimes.

He doesn’t even look up when he responds.

“I’m texting Hunter and asking him to show up a little early for the coaches’ meeting. I’d like to tell him personally, rather than in front of Dmitri and Lawson.”

Dmitri, our goalie coach, is a badass.

There’s no other way to put it.

After spending twenty years in the league as a goalie, during which he represented Russia three times in the Olympics, he immediately got a job as a goalie coach in the NHL.

I don’t know how we were lucky enough to grab him after such a scandal, but I’m not questioning it because I don’t want to jinx it.

Lawson is our part-time skills coach.

He splits his time with our team and the minor league team out of Oshkosh.

He also spent time in the NHL as a forward.

He was exceptionally smooth and skillful with the puck—an extremely slippery player.

Basically, he was untouchable.

Again, I don't know how he ended up here but we are so freaking lucky to have them both.

“Oh, right. That’s a good idea. Although I’m sure they’ll be just as happy as we are to have him instead of Grayson.”

I’m guessing Lincoln hit Send on the text because he pockets his phone and finally looks at me. “You’re probably right, but he’s one of my closest friends. I’d like to tell him in private.”

Wait, so does that mean I don’t get to be there?

Lincoln’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “You want to tell him with me?”

Shit. Did I say that last thought out loud?

I must’ve, because if I didn't, that would mean Lincoln is being thoughtful and cares about me enough to ask if I want to be there.

Or, he’s just being a good head coach and asking his assistant to join.

“I’d love to tell him with you. Thanks.”

He nods and stands up from the table.

“Sounds good. Meet me in my office fifteen minutes before the meeting.”

I look down at my watch and see that it’s already 7:30.

“So you mean, meet you in your office in fifteen minutes?” I quirk an eyebrow.

Lincoln looks down at this smart watch and blows out a breath.

“Damn. I didn’t think this meeting took that long. I feel like we just got here. But yeah, I guess I’ll see you in fifteen.”

“See you in a bit,” I say as I gather my stuff and follow him out the door.

I turn right into my office and watch Lincoln walk down the hall before he turns to enter his office.

It’s nearly impossible not to stare at that ass when given the opportunity.

Hockey butts.

There’s nothing like them .

There isn’t enough time to get any type of real work done, so I boot up my computer and shoot a quick email to our trainer asking for an update on any injuries.

Our home opener is tomorrow, and I’m hoping our starting defenseman who’s been battling some muscle tightness is ready to go.

After sending that email, I grab my phone and practically sprint to the office kitchen.

I need caffeine in an IV.

I turn the corner into the kitchen at too high a speed and run into a brick wall.

I throw my hands out to save myself, only to be met with a rock hard chest.

Not a brick wall.

Lincoln.

The thud of Lincoln’s heartbeat under my palm is mesmerizing.

My body is scandalously close to his.

He has one arm wrapped around my waist to steady me, the other holding my upper arm gently.

My nose is buried in his clavicle, his scent invading everywhere.

His voice is low, gruff and intimate when he speaks to me.

“Whoa, Ellie. You good?”

I glance up at him and am so distracted by his emerald eyes, I forget how to speak.

“Uh…my…yeah. Mm-hmm. Good.”

He shoots me a devastating smirk and slowly releases me from his hold, his fingers tracing my lower back as he does so, sending a shiver through my body.

And now I’m clenching my thighs together.

What in the world is happening to me?

“Ellie. Are you sure you're good? What the hell were you doing running in here like that anyway? Is there a fire?” He glances behind me.

I take a step back because being that close to him is doing something to alter my brain chemistry. “I’m good. Just wanted some caffeine before a long morning of meetings. Didn’t want to be late.”

Lincoln reaches down to the table next to him and picks up a coffee. I think he’s about to leave when he hands it to me.

Wait, what ?

“I got you one. I figured you’d need some caffeine after I bothered you so early this morning.”

I take the coffee from him and his hand brushes mine, sending a shock through my body this time. I swear I feel it in my vagina. Good god, what is this man doing to me?

Before I can say something stupid, I take a sip of the coffee and try to focus on what is actually happening here. Damn. That’s good coffee. “Did you put caramel in this?”

There’s that damn smirk again. “I did. I’ve seen you bring coffee from Gold Coast to almost every single coaches’ meeting and I noticed you didn’t have yours today. I thought I remembered seeing ‘caramel’ written on the cup but maybe I’m wrong. If you don’t like it, we can trade. Mine is still black.”

His thoughtfulness knocks me off balance. I’m not used to this considerate version of Lincoln. It’s unnerving and intoxicating. Maybe Sadie was right and Lincoln isn’t as bad as I thought.

“No. You’re right. I usually have the caramel pistachio espresso. I love caramel. It’s delicious, thank you.”

He grabs his coffee from the table and nods toward the door and I follow his lead. We walk in comfortable silence until we get to his office.

Lincoln gestures to the chair opposite his and I take a seat. I look around Lincoln’s office and am surprised at how homey it feels. A few succulents cover his desk and there’s even a framed photo near his computer. There’s a fake plant in the corner near an industrial looking lamp I know he did not find in this arena. Photos of various hockey arenas line his walls. Looking down, I notice there’s even a rug covering the generic, gray corporate carpet.

“Your office is so homey. Mine is one step away from being a jail cell. I’m kind of jealous, Coach. Think you can come decorate mine?”

What the hell am I even saying right now ?

Lincoln glances around before the ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “Sorry, I can’t take credit for any of it. My cousin Katie sent me everything you see here. Then she made me FaceTime her so she could tell me exactly where to put everything. She’s bossy like that.”

I chuckle. “I like her already.”

His cousin must be his soft spot because the next thing I know, a full-toothed, panty-dropping smile paints his face.

Damn, he is fine .

“Yeah, she’s all right.” His phone buzzes on his desk. He swipes and quickly reads whatever is on the screen. “Hunter is on his way up. If you don’t mind, I’d like to deliver the good news.”

Okay, so maybe Hunter is a soft spot too. Noted.

“Of course. I just want to be here to see the look on his face.”

For a split second he sends a smile my way and I feel like I’ve just won the lottery. I don’t know what I did to deserve that smile but I’d do just about anything for him to do it again.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts and I stand quickly, too antsy to sit.

Hunter pops his head in. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything. You wanted to see me?”

Lincoln waves him in. “Not interrupting at all. Come in.”

The look of confusion on Hunter’s face is priceless. “Hey, Ellie. Uh, what’s going on, guys? Am I in trouble?” He pulls at the back of his neck, looking between Lincoln and me.

“Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll let you know why you’re here.” He gestures to the open chair next to me while I still stand awkwardly in front of his desk.

“I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind.” Hunter looks so nervous—he’s literally fidgeting with his fingers.

I look over to Lincoln and nod toward Hunter. “ Tell him ,” I mouth silently.

Lincoln seems to understand what I said and gets right to it. “Okay, suit yourself. I just wanted to—no, wait. We just wanted to be the first to tell you that Grayson is out. You’re in, big guy.”

Hunter is wide-eyed and slack-jawed. “Wait. Does that mean what I think it means?” He looks between the two of us.

Lincoln stands from his desk, walks toward Hunter, and sticks his hand out to shake his. “Fucking right it does. How does it feel to be the new assistant coach of the Green Bay Bobcats?”

They shake hands, and I can no longer stand here like a sane person.

I launch myself at Hunter. With the grace of an Olympian, he catches me with ease. I squeeze the living crap out of him before giving him a kiss on the cheek. He sets me down gently, and I brush my suit down as if it’s completely out of place.

“Sorry, that was totally unprofessional and I promise to never do anything like that again at work, but I couldn’t help myself. I am so damn proud of you, Hunter. Welcome to the team. Well, you’re already on the team, but you know what I mean.”

We all laugh. Hunter gives me another hug. “Thanks, Ellie. This is wild. I can’t believe Becky had him fired this quick. Did she give you a heads up, Lincoln?”

Huh?

I look between the two men and neither of them say a word. Lincoln gives Hunter a look that screams Are you fucking kidding me right now?

I fucking knew it. I turn and before I can stop myself I’m poking Lincoln in the chest. “I knew you had something to do with it. Why didn’t you just tell me?”

He grabs ahold of my finger and my anger evaporates into thin air. How can one touch from this man calm me quicker than every breathing, meditating, or coping mechanism I learned from my therapist ?

Lincoln releases my finger, turns around and takes a seat at his desk again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have five minutes to print the scouting report for tomorrow's game. I’ll see you both in the conference room.”

I don’t know why he’s so adamant on denying any involvement with Grayson being fired.

Hunter seems to have realized he stuck his foot in his mouth and slowly slinks backward out of the room. I, however, hold my ground and don’t move a muscle.

Lincoln looks up from his laptop. “Is there something else you need, Ellie?”

I cross my arms over my chest, and in the most authoritative voice I can muster, I say, “Yeah, you can tell me why you don’t want me to know you had something to do with Grayson being fired. What’s the big deal, Lincoln?”

He looks back down at his laptop like he is not at all interested in what I’m saying. “Ellie, now is not the time to have this conversation. We have our home opener tomorrow, a coaches’ meeting in four minutes with a brand new assistant coach we need to get up to speed, and I need to get this scouting report printed. Can we please table this for later?” He looks up at me and the look he gives says the discussion is over.

Frustrated we can’t have a simple discussion right now, I sigh. “Fine. Consider it tabled, Coach.”

I turn on my heel and am about to high-tail it out of there when Lincoln’s laugh stops me in my tracks. I swivel so fast my hair goes flying over my shoulder. “Is something funny?”

He leans back in his chair. “Not a thing.”

This man is infuriating. I roll my eyes and the last thing I see before turning and leaving is Lincoln's smile.

That damn panty-dropping smile.

I am so screwed.

** PRESS RELEASE**

Green Bay Gazette

Roger Park, 12 hours ago

Green Bay Bobcats fire Assistant Coach Grayson Sanders, and promote Video Coach Hunter Clearwater as replacement.

Rumor has it, Assistant Coach Ellie Montgomery is behind the Sanders firing and Sanders is not happy.

Montgomery is a former Boston University All-American, former PWHL Montreal captain, and an Olympic gold medalist. She was named the second-ever female NHL assistant coach after Green Bay cleaned house after a brutal hazing scandal.

Did Montgomery earn this position or did her Hall-of-Fame father have something to do with her hiring?

Ellie joins Head Coach Lincoln Scott behind the bench of the Bobcats. Both Ellie and Lincoln grew up playing hockey against each other in Metro Detroit. Will they be able to set their childhood rivalry aside and lead the Bobcats to their first winning season in seven years?

Or will the men in the locker room be too distracted by blonde bombshell Ellie Montgomery to focus on their game?

Only time will tell.

The Green Bay Bobcats open their season tonight at 7 p.m. against the Chicago Icehawks on home ice.