Page 246 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

His face is expressionless, so different to how he looked yesterday while we were hanging out, and I mentally kick myself for not pulling up my big girl pants and just telling him about this.

How badly could it have gone?

A shit ton better than it’s going right now.

Forcing myself to move, I turn my back to him and focus on my girls.

Once they’ve done two rounds of the drill, Megan hands out colored vests to go over their jerseys, turning them into two teams, and we stand back as they battle it out.

Pride for these girls oozes from my every pore. Watching them put everything they’ve learned in our session to practice during a game, even if it is just a friendly one between themselves, is amazing. I can only imagine how Kodie feels, watching his baby boss it on the ice. With only a couple of bumps and girls skidding across the ice after a collision, we bring the game to an end and finish off our session.

After wishing them all a good rest of their week, we watch them wobble off on their skates toward their waiting parents.

“Good session, Coach,” Megan praises.

“Thanks,” I mutter, my stomach knotting tighter and tighter. “I’m going to check in with Mila, make sure she’s okay after that fall.”

Megan nods as a mom approaches to speak to her.

Swallowing down my nerves, I hold my head high and walk toward the benches where the girls are getting sorted.

Once I reach Mila and her mom, I drop to my haunches.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, my eyes bouncing between hers, searching for a lie.

It’s not just the professionals who will put on a brave face and try to cover up any pain.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? It’s okay to say if it hurts. I can get someone to check you over if you need?—”

“I promise, I’m fine.”

“Okay,” I say, rising to my feet and focusing on her mom.

“She’s tough,” her mom muses as movement behind her catches my eye.

“She is. They all are. Any problems, though, you let us know.”

Mila’s mom agrees before she turns her attention to her daughter and begins to help her pack up her gear.

“Hey, Coach C,” a familiar voice says. “Great session today.”

I can’t help but smile. “Thanks, Sutton.”

“You know my dad, right?” she says, grabbing my hand before I have a chance to do anything and marching me over.

“U-uh…yeah, we’ve…met.” The final word comes out as a whisper as Kodie’s angry eyes lock on mine.

“He’s taught me everything I know,” Sutton announces proudly.

“Maybe you shouldn’t say that in front of one of your coaches, sweetie,” Kodie’s mom offers, cringing.

“Ah, it’s okay…”

“Kathleen,” she finishes for me.

“We should really get going,” Kodie suddenly says.