Page 17
Story: Heart of Ice
Ruben
After checking Max’s bruises and finding them healing nicely, we lay in bed facing each other. Both of us dressed in Max’s pajamas and our hands clasped between us under the blankets. “This is nice,” I murmured before leaning in for a kiss.
“This whole date has been nice. I’m really glad you stayed. I was afraid you’d want to leave after we talked and I really do want to spend more time with you outside the arena,” Max said.
“I meant what I said, I really like you, Max. I’ll speak with Coach and get a feel for his stance on us being together during the season. I know he won’t care in the off season, and I really will not risk your career even if I think we can have something special.”
“Until then, I still want to spend time with you. I mean, us going out for dinner and spending time together shouldn’t be against any rules, should it?” Max asked. I couldn’t stop myself from staring at his beauty. He was masculine but with a softness of heart that pulled me in even more.
“Then we will. Maybe not every weekend but definitely whenever we can. I want to get to know more about you than the fact you’re an amazing goalie,” I said, making him smile.
We slept then even though I tried to stay awake to remember every moment. I took comfort knowing we both wanted the same thing and somehow, we’d make it work.
Monday morning brought a practice session and more drills for the players. I stood to the side by Coach Thomas as he watched every little move they made and told each player what he needed to work on. Max practiced with Dexter and Vanel who all challenged each other to do more. “This has to be a big change for Dexter to go from playing to coaching,” I said as I watched them.
“He’s doing a great job so far, and he knows exactly what the goalies need to be working on,” Coach said, never taking his eyes off the ice.
“I need to speak to you about something—private,” I said, making him immediately turn to face me.
“Don’t tell me you’re quitting.” He narrowed his eyes like he thought he could pull the truth from me.
“No, I love working here so far. I’d rather speak to you in private.” He folded his arms and finally nodded.
“Let’s go to my office. I’d rather know now than try to figure it out.” He turned to walk back to his office as I followed and hoped this didn’t turn out to be a bad idea. Max was busy doing drills and didn’t seem to notice us at all, which was probably a good thing.
As soon as I walked into the small room, he shut the door behind me and walked over to his desk. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“What are the rules about players dating staff?” I asked and waited for him to realize what I was talking about.
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, never breaking eye contact. “By ‘staff’ you mean you?”
“Yes.”
“Which player?”
I squirmed then, suddenly nervous, and hoped this was a good idea and not something I was about to regret. “Max.”
“Hofstedder?” he asked.
“Yes.” Again, he gave me that intense stare that I couldn’t read at all.
“So, what exactly is going on between you,” he asked.
“We spent some time together after he was injured, and since then we’ve gone to dinner”
“I don’t care what you do outside the arena. But if it starts affecting your job or his ability to play then it will be my problem and I’ll be the one settling it. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand. We were going to wait until the end of the season because neither of us wanted a relationship to get in the way of our jobs. But we’ve only gone on one date and—I’m going to be honest with you—we have a connection I want to explore. Sorry, I don’t mean to sound sappy or tell you something you don’t want to hear.” He once again gave me his critical eye before his face softened.
“Know where I met my wife?” I shook my head. I had no clue.
“I used to coach women’s field hockey when I was just out of college, and she was one of the players. Well, if you ask me, she was the best player, but she’d tell you she was average. I knew the first time she yelled at me for not letting her play that I needed to get to know her. We waited until the season was over because we didn’t want anyone to think she was getting treated better than any other player. Not that I would have done that.”
“How long have you been together?” I asked.
“It’ll be thirty years next December. Once the season was over it didn’t take us long to know. Now, I do appreciate you being honest with me, and I’m not going to lay down any ground rules other than keeping it off the ice. But if I get one whiff of there being any drama or anything at all that could cost the team then I will step in.”
“That’s not going to happen. We both want the Titans to succeed.”
“Good to hear it. Thanks again for being honest with me,” he said while he rose from his seat. “Now let’s get back out there before they think I’m being soft on them.”
“Thanks, Coach. Did you want to speak to Max too?” He opened the door then and there stood Max with his arm raised and ready to knock.
“I’ll let you fill him in,” Coach said before walking past him.
Max’s worried eyes met mine as he shuffled through the door. He hadn’t taken the time to remove his pads or skates. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“I spoke to Coach about us.”
“You did? Already?”
“Yes, I told you I was going to. Does that surprise you?” I asked. He was so nervous, and I didn’t want to make it worse for him, but I’d always be honest with him.
“What did he say?” he asked and shuffled around again.
“He said it’s not a problem unless it affects our jobs or the team.”
His eyes bounced back and forth between mine as I waited for his reaction. “Are you sure?” he finally asked. I nodded. He was in my arms far quicker than I would have thought was possible with all that gear. “So, we can see each other tonight?”
“If that’s what you want,” I whispered.
“I want. I want so much.” He held me tighter for a moment more. I wanted to kiss him so bad I could imagine my lips on his, but now we had boundaries, and he was worth following the rules.