Page 15

Chapter 15

AMBER

I don’t notice too much of a difference in Zack at practice, except that he seems lighter somehow. There’s an ease to his movements that I haven’t seen before, like a weight’s been lifted from his shoulders. It makes me feel a little guilty, knowing I might’ve been the distraction—but it also makes me hopeful. Whatever’s shifted, it seems to be helping.

After practice, I meet with Coach Green to discuss any changes in the players during my time with the team. He sits down in the chair usually reserved for the players after shaking my hand. “Dr. Morrison. Good to get the chance to sit down and speak with you one-on-one.”

“Same to you, Coach Green.” I set up my tablet so I can take my usual notes on the conversation. “Have you noticed any positive changes in the team in the last few weeks?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” Coach Green chuckles. “I have noticed some of the guys getting more confident on the ice. Griffin Young has surprised me, really coming into his own now.”

I nod. “Griffin and I have had some great sessions together. I’m glad to see his hard work paying off.”

Coach Green rubs his hand over his chin thoughtfully. “I think I’d still like to see more from Rossi. He sticks a little too close to the goalie sometimes, he needs to be more proactive.”

Work on building confidence with Donatello, I type. “That’s something we’ve gone over before.” I pause for a moment. “Do you think that he might need clearer expectations? He strikes me as the kind of young man who appreciates more direction. He’s so new to the game, he may be defaulting back to old habits that came from other coaches.”

“I think I can do that for him. I’ll keep that in mind.” Coach Green leans back in the chair. “Let’s see, who else…”

“How about some of the older players?” I suggest. “I worry about getting through to some of them.”

Coach Green gives me a rueful smile. “Yeah, some of those guys are the real manly kind of men. Blake Thomspon, Brody Campbell, Clint Harris… you’re going to have a hard time convincing them that what you do is necessary.”

I sigh, disappointed that my fears were confirmed. “I was afraid that might be the case. I’m hoping that once they see the success of the players who are more open, they may come around.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got my best men on it!” Coach Green reassures me.

“Oh?” He’s piqued my interest. “And who might those men be?”

“Jason Scott and Zack Colt.” Zack’s name sends a little zing through me. Coach Green continues. “Scott’s the captain and solid as they come—from what I hear, he’s done nothing but sing your praises.”

“And Zack?” I ask a little breathlessly.

“Well, Colt’s had the most time with you one-on-one, since he’s your escort in the evenings, so I’m hoping he’s gotten to know you a little. I’m confident he’s telling the guys you know what you’re doing.”

Coach Green smiles. “He’s a real leader. A lot of the rookies look up to him. If he backs your work, they’ll listen.” I nod, keeping my tone light. “Good to know I’ve got him in my corner.”

Coach Green leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Honestly, I was a little concerned when we all agreed to this mental performance stuff, but you really have shown me its value. I’ve seen the difference your work is making. You bring a calm, strength to the coaching staff.”

“That’s high praise—thank you so much, Coach. It is really my pleasure to work with you coaches and the team.”

Then I casually bring Zack up again. “I’ve been noticing some ups and downs from Zack Colt. Is he normally like that?”

“No, it’s very out of the ordinary.” Coach Green tilts his head, thinking. “Colt’s gotten better every year he’s been with the Blades. He may not be the first one on or last one off the ice anymore, but that’s because he’s done his time. He’s good, and he knows it, but he worked hard to get there. Now he helps others to do the same.”

It’s hard to keep the proud smile off my face. That sounds like the Zack I used to know.

“The funny thing about Colt is that he doesn’t seem to hang out much with the other guys,” Coach Green continues. “He doesn’t date, doesn’t go out with the team. He has the tendency to keep people at arm’s length. He’ll help you out, sure, but as soon as practice is over, he closes right back up. It’d be good for morale if he included himself a little more.”

“I’ll see if there’s anything I can do about that.” But that sounds like the Zack I remember, too—the guarded one. The one who never let me see where he lived, who held everything close to the chest, like he needed to stay in control.

But that was so long ago. Last night felt different – he seemed ready to let me in. I know there is a lot more to Zack. Will he ever be able to share all of it?

After my conversation with Coach Green, I’m nervous to see Zack for our nightly walk home, worried he’s going to have those walls built right back up.

I shouldn’t have worried. Our conversation flows more easily than ever, and we walk with a comfortable closeness, our shoulders bumping together every so often.

“Do you remember…” I say between bursts of giggles. “Do you remember that time when Becca tried to copy me on the biology test?”

Zack laughs too. “Wasn’t that the one test you didn’t study for?”

“Yes! I stayed up all night watching Game of Thrones so I would be caught up for the next episode.” I double over laughing. “We both did so badly on that test.”

“I didn’t think you ever got less than straight A’s,” Zack teases.

“I will have you know I got a B- one semester.” I hold up one finger. “It was in pre-calc. Nobody did well in pre-calc.”

“With Ms. Grace?” Zack rolls his eyes. “She hated me. Never got better than a C from her.”

“Yes! She was the worst.” I sigh, fondly reminiscing. “Oh, do you remember Kelly Richardson?”

“Tall, blonde, played basketball?” Zack ponders. “I think so. Whatever happened to her?”

“I saw on social media the other day that she’s married now! And expecting her second kid!” My mouth drops open. “Isn’t that wild?”

Zack sticks his hands in his pockets. “I mean, we’re in our late twenties. That’s around the time people usually start getting married and popping out babies.”

“Yeah, I guess.” I furrow my brow. “Still, it’s so weird. I remember seeing her at prom! She was wearing a dress that was that bright blue-green color. That shade of teal was everywhere back then.”

“Oh yeah. Whatever happened to teal?” Zack nudges my shoulder with his, and I nudge him back . I grin, heart lighter than it’s been in days. This—laughing with Zack—is the last thing I expected when I stepped into the rink on day one of this job

“It’s all about neutrals these days. Or haven’t you heard?” He jokes.

I laugh. “I wouldn’t expect a guy like you to pay attention to that sort of thing.”

Zack shrugs, his steps slowing. We’re getting close to my apartment, and I don’t want to end our conversation. By the looks of things, Zack doesn’t either.

I stop in front of my door and turn to him. He stops a little bit behind me. “Do you ever worry that we’re falling behind?” I ask, my voice soft.

“What do you mean?” His eyes are shadowed in the fading light, and I can’t read his expression.

“I mean, Kelly Richardson is getting married,” I say. “Shouldn’t we be getting married?”

“Oh, God.” My stomach drops. Abort, abort. I start waving my hands like I can erase the words mid-air. “Not us specifically. I just meant… getting married in general. Not getting married to each other. That’s not what I meant to say at all,” I ramble on.

He takes a step closer to me, smiling gently. “It’s okay. I think I get it now.”

I sigh. “I’ve just been so focused on my career that I haven’t had time to date in almost a decade. That’s why I think it’s so weird to see girls my age getting married and having babies. A part of me feels like that should be my life, and maybe I took a wrong turn somewhere.”

“Or maybe…” Zack takes another step closer, and now I have to look up to meet his eyes. “Maybe you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

My heart skips into overdrive, pounding so hard in my chest that I worry Zack might be able to hear it. He reaches up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear, and my eyes flutter closed at his touch. Then he leans in close, and I can feel the heat of his breath on my neck.

“Goodnight, Amber,” he breathes into my ear, sending a chill straight down to my core. He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek—soft, slow, and way too full of promise. And then he just… walks away.

He barely touched me, and yet my blood is singing. I watch him go, leaning against my door as I try to remember how to breathe again.

I’m falling for Zack Colt all over again.