Page 18 of Daddies on Ice

TISH

I glance at the time on my phone as I disconnect the call. It’s just 7:30 a.m., so not as early as I’d thought. I’d slept through my alarm.

My heart leaps in my throat as I toss the covers aside and pad barefoot to the bathroom.

What have the Thunderwolves gotten themselves into now?

I turn on the shower faucets while my mind runs through a gauntlet of possible scandals. Were more players caught using steroids?

Does someone have a gambling problem and needs money to cover a debt before he gets a beatdown from a loan shark?

Was one of the guys arrested for a DUI?

Pushing the thoughts away, I strip off my clothes and take a quick shower, then go to Becky’s room to wake her up.

“Time to get up, sweetheart,” I say, tapping her shoulder gently. Becky isn’t at her best in the mornings.

She groans and tries to roll over to her other side but my hand on her shoulder prevents her. She mumbles something in protest, and I smile down at her.

“Don’t you want to show your friends the cookies you made?”

One eye pops open, then the other. “I guess so,” she mutters.

Once she gets out of bed, we choose what she’s going to wear for the day.

Becky picks out a fluffy red sweater and a pair of blue jeans.

Leaving her to dress herself, I return to the bathroom and finish doing my hair and makeup.

After just thirty minutes, Becky’s had breakfast and is dropped off at school.

I pull into the clubhouse parking lot, find a spot, and park my car.

Memories of yesterday, when I sat here with hormone overload, flood my mind and my pulse quickens, my breathing grows rapid and shallow.

Damn, girl, get a hold of yourself!

I wasn’t expecting to start working so soon, but here I am about ready to face my first day on the job and whatever trouble the team has gotten themselves into now.

With determination and resolve, I get out of my car and go straight to the coach’s office.

The door is slightly ajar, so I push it all the way open while knocking on it at the same time.

I only get about three steps into the office before I pause, nearly stumbling.

Holy shit!

I was expecting to meet just Coach Carl, but Jake and Ash are here too.

Heat warms my skin and a twinge of excitement zings along my nerves as I glance from one to the other.

Carl sits behind his desk, his expression full of disappointment and anger. He tells me to come further into the office with a brisk wave of his hand.

I move forward but stop and turn around to shut the door for privacy.

Ash smiles encouragingly at me as I take a seat in a cushy brown chair in front of Carl’s desk.

To my left sits Ash, and to my right, Jake. Jake looks like a boy who’s been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, telling me this meeting is likely about him.