Page 18

Chapter eighteen

Holt

“What can I do for you?” Coach Weaver asks when I take a seat in his office.

“Dr. Jansen cleared me to play last week.” He nods. “I was hoping I could talk to you about coming on this trip.”

I’d thought about asking Coach right away to put me back in, but I knew he’d want me in peak shape, which I wasn’t.

This past week I’ve been putting a lot of energy into training, on and off the ice, and I’m hopeful this meeting goes well.

I’d love to be on the plane with the team tomorrow when they leave for a three-day trip to Texas .

I’ve also been focusing so much energy on practice and working out so I don’t have to think about what else went on during my last session with Becca.

How I really wanted to kiss her again. How it took everything in me to walk away when she told me that us kissing was a mistake.

Coach tilts his head, studying me. “I know you’re physically ready to play again. But what about mentally? You went through a lot recently, between the injury and finding out you have a daughter.”

“I know. But I’m ready. My sister is staying for the rest of the season until I figure out a more permanent solution.

We’ve gotten into a routine.” I’m still so grateful to Hadley for coming to stay.

I’m trying not to think past this season because I don’t know what I’m going to do as far as childcare.

I can’t exactly ask Hadley to put her life on hold and help raise my daughter.

“Have you talked to anyone? ”

I furrow my eyebrows. “No.”

Coach studies me for a few seconds. “After I got the letter from Madison’s mom and found out I had a daughter, I thought I was okay.

At least after the initial shock wore off.

It wasn’t until a couple of weeks later that I realized I wasn’t.

” He pauses, inhaling sharply. “Finding out you have a child you weren’t expecting is a lot to process.

Even if, as in my case, the child is an adult when you find out.

I thought I was coping okay. Now, I can see that I clearly wasn’t.

I was barely sleeping. I swear I don’t know how you guys didn’t notice. ”

He gives me a small smile. “Guess I got really good at hiding it. Coaching gave me something to focus on. But when I wasn’t coaching, all I was doing was thinking about Madison.

All the what ifs. All the questions I had.

How badly I wished I could talk to her mom about why she did what she did, but I couldn’t.

Her letter told me some of it, and so did her sister, but there was so much I didn’t have answers to.

I blamed myself for her hiding Madison from me. ”

I stare at him, wondering why he’s telling me all this.

“I was talking to Dr. Walt one day when he asked me how I was doing. How I was really doing. At that point, only a few people knew I had a daughter. Dr. Walt and I have known each other for a very long time, and he saw through my BS answer. It was because of that conversation with him that I talked to a professional who helped me process everything. Come out the other side.”

I take a deep breath trying to process what he said and how to answer him.

“I’m fine, Coach. It was a shock at first, for sure, but I’m fine now.”

What choice do I have but to be fine? I have a daughter to think about now. She’s counting on me.

He studies me before opening one of his desk drawers and taking a card out of it. He slides it across toward me.

“I can’t force you to talk to a professional, but take this in case you ever feel you need to. I would highly suggest it.” He dips his chin toward the card. I pick it up and pocket it. “It’s okay if you do, you know.”

“Thanks,” I mumble .

I am thankful to him for telling me about his experience.

But I wasn’t lying when I said I was fine.

Am I still angry at Kat? Yes. Hell, yes.

Do I hate her? I do. I wish I’d never taken her back after what she did to me in high school.

But if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have Hazel, and in the short time she’s been in my life, I’ve realized she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“You’re welcome. I know you’ve been working hard this past week. I’ll talk to the goalie coach, and let you know what we decide.”

“I appreciate it.”

He turns his attention to his computer screen. “Anything else?”

“No.” I stand, taking the hint that he’s dismissing me. “Thanks, Coach.”

“What’s this meeting about? Anyone know?” Wes asks Hunter and Elias as I take the seat next to them in the conference room a few hours later.

They both shake their heads. Sebastian wanders in and takes the last seat in our row, sipping from a coffee cup. Before anyone can ask any other questions, Coach Weaver walks in followed by our general manager, Alex Alvarez.

Oh shit. This can’t be good.

Usually, it’s just the coaching staff present during these team meetings. Occasionally, someone from the marketing department, or the social media team pops in if they need volunteers for an event or have important information to share.

“Hello, gentleman,” Mr. Alvarez says, clearing his throat. “I’ll try to keep this short. I have a few coaching announcements.”

My heart drops. We’ve been doing shitty this season. We’re not in last place, but we’re near the bottom of the standings. Coach wouldn’t be here if they were firing him, right?

“First,” he says, “we are welcoming a new assistant coach who will oversee special teams as well as help out in other capacities.” He pauses, smiling at all of us.

“I’m sure you’ll be glad to have him back, and we’re happy to have him as part of the family again.

” He turns to the door where Sutton is standing and gestures for her to open it.

“Please welcome Brody Thompson to our coaching staff.”

We all cheer and clap as Brody steps into the room. It’ll be weird to have him as part of the staff, and call him Coach Thompson, but I’m glad he’s back. He shakes Coach’s hand, and they exchange a few words before he steps back so Mr. Alvarez can continue.

“We’d also like to announce our new video coach, Bristol Jackson, who was a former video coach for the Bishops.”

Coach Jackson, who appears to be in her mid-thirties, steps into the conference room.

She raises a hand in greeting. We clap, although not as enthusiastically for her.

She smiles at us, before shaking Coach Weaver’s hand and stepping back to stand with Brody.

Our other assistant coach and goalie coach walk into the room, and join the rest of the coaching staff at the front.

“With that, I’ll turn it over to Coach Weaver.”

“Thank you, Alex,” Coach says. “There is one more announcement we want to make today. I have a feeling this won’t shock most of you.

” He pauses, and I suck in a breath. Can it be?

“We’ve lost quite a few guys over the past few years, leaving us with big holes to fill.

And the coaching staff, as well as the front office, have seen the way one of you has stepped up this season.

Originally, we were going to wait until next season to name a new captain, but we’ve decided we don’t want to wait that long.

I know it’s late in the season, but we feel strongly about this decision.

” He pauses. “Today, it is a great honor to announce the next captain of the Orlando Storm, Hunter Rhodes.” Coach gestures for Hunter to stand up.

The room breaks out into applause and cheering. Someone, probably Wes, whistles.

I turn my attention to my friend, who is beet red. He runs a hand through his hair as he stands.

“Thanks, Coach. Mr. Alvarez. I appreciate the opportunity to lead this team. I’m excited to step into the role and hope I can be half as good of a captain as Caleb was.” He laughs nervously before sitting back down .

“That’s all we’ve got for you today. See you tomorrow at practice. Enjoy your day off.” Coach turns and follows Mr. Alvarez and the rest of the coaching staff out of the room.

Chaos descends as the door closes, with all the guys coming over to congratulate Hunter. Finally, it’s just Hunter, Wes, myself, and Elias left in the room.

“Congrats, brother. Or should I say Cap.”

“Thanks, guys,” Hunter says, glancing between all of us. “I wanted to tell you all sooner, but they swore me to secrecy.”

Before anyone can say anything else, the door opens and Brody comes strolling into the room, a sly grin on his face.

“Congrats, Coach,” Wes says, striding toward him and throwing his arms around him.

“Don’t think you’re supposed to hug the coaches unless we win the Cup,” Hunter says.

“Today’s an exception to the rule,” Wes answers, stepping back so Hunter can take his place.

Hunter claps Brody on the back. “Can’t believe you kept this from us.”

Brody shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets. “They didn’t make it official until last night. Congrats, Cap.” He beams at Hunter. “Have you told Caleb yet?”

The door to the conference room opens again, and Caleb comes sauntering in. “I heard the news. Had to stop by and say congrats.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. Something tells me he already knew, which is how he got here so fast.

“When are you going to get a job here?” Elias pipes up.

Caleb throws back his head and laughs. “I think Jenna would kill me.” He turns to Brody. “I’m surprised you agreed to this, considering all of the other changes about to happen in your life. How does Aubrey feel about it?”

Brody smiles at the mention of his best friend turned fiancée. “She’s the one who encouraged me to take the position.”

“This calls for a celebratory lunch,” Wes says, throwing his arms around Brody and Hunter .

“While I’d love to, Hadley’s got a photography gig this afternoon, so I’ve got to get home so she can get to that,” I tell them, grateful I have an excuse to not go.

I feel a little guilty, but I’m not in the mood to celebrate.

I’m still reeling from Becca’s rejection the other day.

I probably shouldn’t have expected anything else, so I guess that’s on me, but I still feel kind of shitty.

Which is why I’ve been avoiding her. It’s easier than having to act as if things aren’t weird and awkward between us.

Maybe one day we’ll be fine, but today is not that day.

“Aww, come on, Holt. Go get Hazel and meet us there,” Wes pleads.

“It’s nap time. The whole day will be screwed up if I mess with her nap.” I shake my head.

“True story.” Caleb points at me. “Never mess with their schedule.”

I turn toward the door.

“Bye.” I throw a hand up, glancing at them over my shoulder.

They yell their goodbyes as I walk out of the room.