Page 25 of Not in the Plans (London Lightning #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

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“ T ell me you’re going to watch the game tonight?” I question Liv.

The bus pulls out from the hotel as I relax into the seat while on the phone with Liv before heading to the rink.

A place I can honestly say I’ve never been? Wales. They have a decent team. I’ve been studying a lot of film. They’ve got a good defensive pair, but their offensive line could use some work.

“The girls are coming over and we’re going to stream it on the television.”

I smile at her words. “Good. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good night.”

“And maybe if you keep winning, the game will become more popular here and will be on TV.”

“Liv, I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Football is too popular here.”

Something I’ve come to terms with.

I can hear her smile over the phone, if that is such a thing. “I know you’re going to turn the Lightning into the world’s best team and bring all sorts of new fans to the game. Then it’ll be too big to ignore.”

“I feel like that’s both a compliment and a dig all at the same time.”

Liv laughs, warm and silky. The perfect sound on this cold, Welsh evening. “Expectations, Stanley. You have to know where you stand with football. But you’ll get there.”

“You say the sweetest things.”

“It’s a good thing you like me.”

“I know. Listen, have fun with the girls. I’ll see you tomorrow night when we get back, yeah?”

“Good luck.”

The ride to the rink is short, and as I’m hanging up, we’re pulling in. The team is excited. We’ve been working all week toward this matchup. With one of their starting wingers out with a torn MCL, it’s opened up the game tonight.

One that I hope we can win.

Going through our usual pregame warm-ups, I reiterate to the guys everything we’ve discussed in practice. How we’re a great team and can go out there and compete with them.

It’s a simple thing, but the more I say it, the more they seem to believe it. I don’t know much about their old coach or how he led, but I don’t think he was the most encouraging of the guys.

By the time the puck drops, we’re brimming with energy. Passes are executed well. Simmons is defending the net like he was made to be there. And McCord gets an easy shot on goal that puts a point on the board.

“It’s nice to see all of their hard work paying off,” Jack tells me.

He looks extra sharp tonight in a dark gray suit with blue tie. It matches the team colors. Better than the usual suit he wears.

I wonder why.

“They’ve got the skills. They just needed someone to believe in them.”

Wales makes a sloppy pass that Jessup capitalizes on and goes flying down the ice. It earns us another point.

“Way to finish. Great job reading the plays. Keep it up.”

When the puck drops again, Wales nabs it and takes off. Simmons gets low and does a great job defending the goal.

“Hell, yeah!” I cheer from the bench. He can’t hear me from the boos in the crowd, but I’m proud of him. He’s worked hard on improving his skills this season. And watching as he again defends the net when they fire the puck off, he plucks it out of the air with his glove.

The horn sounds for the end of the first period, and we’re up 2-0. I whistle, following the guys down toward our locker room.

“What a great first period, men!” I clap, shouting around the room. It echoes in the concrete space. “We’re looking good out there. Working as a team. Helping each other move the puck down the ice. Simmons, you’re doing a great job. Let’s keep it up, okay?

“Yes, Coach,” they fire back at me.

They heed my advice as we head back out for the second period. Even if we don’t score, they keep Wales from scoring.

“We’re really looking good,” Alfie says.

“Must be all that practice,” Jack deadpans.

I laugh at the two of them as the guys hop over the boards for a line change.

This is fun. This is why I love hockey. Now that we’re winning, the guys are enjoying themselves more and more. It’s amazing what a few wins can do to boost a team’s confidence.

And by the time the final whistle blows, we’ve won 5-2, scoring an easy empty net goal.

I shake hands with their coach before heading back to the locker room. My first thought is whether Liv will be impressed. A win is a win, but I don’t think it’ll get us any closer to being the most popular sport here.

At least according to her.

God, I really do love her. Even if she insults my sport.