Page 24

Chapter 24

ZACK

Finally, maybe for the first time ever, everything in my life feels like it’s falling into place.

Amber really scared me yesterday when I went into her apartment — she was so angry and cold. I could kill Jason for putting the idea in her head that I was seeing someone else, but it’s my own fault. The JOYCe lie got way out of hand. Thankfully, Amber believed me when I told her the truth, and even better, she seemed to really like the JOYCe.

I can tell she’s getting all sorts of ideas on the drive back, but I don’t ask about them yet. I know she needs time to get a plan in order before she follows through on it. She’ll tell me what she’s thinking when she’s ready.

At practice the next day, the guys are happy to have me back. Jason stops me in the locker room. “Hey, man. Heard about your mom. How’s she doing?”

“Much better now, thanks for asking.” I clap Jason on the shoulder. I appreciate him checking in.

“Car accidents are intense.” Jason shakes his head. “It’s really nice that you were there for her.”

“Yeah, I didn’t want her to be alone with a concussion.” Jason winces sympathetically when I tell him that. We know the pain of a concussion all to well.

“Are we sure Colt didn’t just sneak away for some time with his girlfriend?” Blake teases. Brody wolf-whistles. “He seems like he’s in a pretty good mood.”

Jason frowns, stepping forward. “Guys, lay off. This isn’t something to joke about.”

“Oh, come on. Zack knows we’re just messing around.” Brody swings his arm across my shoulders, and I just stand there, trying to stay cool. “Right, Zack?”

“What’s he gonna do, run and tattle to his girlfriend, the shrink?” Blake taunts, puffing his chest out like a kid in the schoolyard.

“If she’s hard on you in your sessions, it’s because she’s trying to help you.” Jason tries to defend Amber, but Blake's having none of it. “Isn’t that what you do every day when you walk Dr. Morrison home? Talk smack about all the rest of us?”

“Or is it because someone is in her ear, telling her stuff about the team, that she asks the stupidest questions. ‘ Why are you always making jokes, Blake? Why did you have so many penalties last year, Blake?’ ” Blake rolls his eyes and huffs. “She’s a joke. Zack’s just jealous of me and told her to pick on me.”

That’s it. I shrug Brody’s arm off and confront Blake. He stares me down, not backing away as I get in his space.

But I don’t have to yell at him. “Grow up, Blake.” I speak with a calm, command. “Dr. Morrison is great for this team, and you know it. She’s made Jason a better captain. Helped Donnie with his confidence. She’s gotten Griffin to be so fierce I’m worried about him taking my starting spot.”

Griffin looks at me, surprised, and I give him a small wink. “Mental performance coaching works. And you should be working with Dr. Morrison just as much as you work with Coach Green, if you actually care about being the best.”

I walk away from him, but remember one more thing. “And by the way, Blake? You don’t have anything I’m jealous of.” I look him up and down, shrug, and go back to my locker.

Blake has nothing to say to that. Jason gives me a look. “That was a bit harsh, ya think?” he says.

“Yeah, well, Blake needs to hear it. I’ll apologize if he does.” I feel a little bad for taking Blake down a peg, but I can’t let him badmouth Amber. Especially when I know she’s making a real difference, and the other guys do too. The reasonable ones, anyway.

I’m still a little heated when I get to the ice, but seeing Amber in the stands sends a ripple of calm through me. She waves, and I wave back without thinking about it. Coach Green catches my eye, and I quickly drop my hand and skate away, hoping he didn’t notice.

Coach Green keeps a close eye on me throughout practice. I don’t think I’m doing anything different than usual, but I still feel his gaze on me more often than not. So I play as well as I can, not wanting to give him anything to talk about.

Still, he calls me over after practice. I skate over to him and take off my helmet. Coach Green faces me with his hands on his hips. “Colt… I know there’s something going on between you and Dr. Morrison.”

My stomach flip-flops. “Please don’t fire her,” I say quickly. “Bench me if you have to, for the first few games or something, but please let her finish out her contract with the Blades.”

Coach Green looks surprised. “Fire her ? No, I would never do that. She’s the best thing that’s happened to this team in years. I’d be an idiot to let her go. I’ve seen more improvement in the weeks she’s been here than I did all last season.” He shakes his head. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Good.” But someone’s still clearly in trouble. I drop my head, resigned. “I’d understand if you want me to sit out the whole season, but maybe there’s some sort of compromise–”

Coach Green laughs, clapping me on the shoulder. “Colt, you’re not going anywhere either.”

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. “I’m not?”

“No! You’re one of the players who has improved immensely since Dr. Morrison arrived.” Coach Green counts on his fingers. “You’re lighter on your feet, you’re working better with your team, and you’re happy. I can always tell when a player is going through something, and for the first time since you’ve joined the Blades, you seem truly happy.”

“Thanks, Coach.” I’m not sure what else to say. “So… I’m not in trouble?”

“No. Just make sure to keep things work-appropriate when you’re both here. And you will be in trouble if you do something to make Dr. Morrison quit, because the team needs her. Got it?” Coach Green gives me a look.

“Yes, sir.” I can’t believe how well this conversation has gone. Coach Green approves of my relationship with Amber? We don’t have to worry about losing our jobs? I can’t wait to tell her.

I don’t see Amber until it’s time to walk her home after practice. She can tell I’ve got something on my mind. “Spit it out. What’s going on?”

She sounds a little nervous, and I don’t blame her, given our last conversation. “It’s good news!” I say excitedly. “Coach Green gave us his blessing.”

“ What?” Amber’s mouth drops open in shock. “Tell me everything he said.”

I recount the conversation for her as best as I can remember it. “So we’re good! We’re not going to get fired for dating. Isn’t that great?”

“It’s incredible.” Amber shakes her head, like she can’t quite believe it. “I’m not sure the franchise board would be as understanding as he is…”

“He’s not going to tell them.” I wave off her concerns. “All he cares about is making sure the team is doing well. And if I’m with you, I’m a better player. It’s that simple.”

“How about that.” Amber smiles softly. “Well, I’m glad I can be such an unexpected asset to the Blades.”

I laugh. “Yes, Coach Green made it very clear that he’d choose you over me if it came down to it.”

Amber makes a face. “I doubt that.”

“It’s true. He didn’t say it in as many words, but I got the gist.” We’re far enough from the facility now that I take Amber’s hand, and she gives me a squeeze.

“What about the rest of the team?” she asks quietly.

“What about them? I don’t care what they think. And if Coach Green doesn’t care, they shouldn’t either.” I mean every word of it. I’ll go to bat for my relationship with Amber any day.

“I don't know…They probably don’t even know — we’ve been doing a good job staying off the radar. But if they find out…” She sighs. “What if they stop taking me seriously? What if they turn on you for keeping secrets? What if one of them reports me to my boss—”

I stop her by pulling her into a hug. “Shhh. Don’t worry about all that now. I understand. We’ll keep things secret until your contract is up, and then go from there.”

“That’s a good idea. But–”

I smooth a hand down over her hair, stroking her reassuringly. “Your concerns are very valid, but none of them have happened yet. Let’s let tomorrow’s problems stay tomorrow’s. Okay?”

Amber tips her head back to look at me, one eyebrow raised. “You sound like a psychologist.”

“I learned from the best.” I press a kiss to the tip of her nose. “It took this long for you to come back into my life. I’m not going to let you go.”

“That makes me feel a little better.”

We keep walking until we reach her apartment, where I give her a lingering kiss goodnight. Amber’s the one who breaks it, as she often is. If it was up to me, I’d never stop kissing her.

I’m struck by how seamlessly she fits into my life. A few short weeks ago, I was angry, lonely, and broken. Then Amber showed up and filled in all the empty spaces. It took being away for a few days for me to realize it, but I love our daily routine. I love our evening walks, our conversations, and the way Amber makes everything better.

I think… no. I know. I love her.