Page 25

Chapter 25

AMBER

Even though it’s hardly my first day working for the Blades, when I arrive at the facility, I’m as nervous as I was then. Now that Coach Green knows about Zack and me, I can’t stop wondering — do the players know, too?

Zack told me not to worry, and I’m really trying not to. But I’ve worked hard to get these guys to take me seriously and to receive what I have to offer. And I know I still haven’t gotten through to all of them.

Finding out that Zack and I are together would only make that worse, delegitimize me further in their eyes. And that’s the last thing I want to happen.

I tell myself to look on the bright side. Most of the players have welcomed me, and I’ve been able to help the Jefferson Blades as a whole. That’s counts for something.

A knock on my door signals my first appointment of the day, Blake Thompson. He’s been tricky to pin down, always avoiding the serious questions and taking offense to any comments that question his skill. I pull up his file and skim through it. Yes, we were working on his anger issues. Which, ironically, tends to make him angry all over again.

Still, I smile and greet Blake brightly. “Good afternoon! Please, have a seat.”

Now that I’m looking at him, I notice that Blake seems more low-energy than usual. He usually storms into the office and sprawls in the chair, bouncing his leg until his time is up. Today he shuffles in quietly, sitting with his hands in his lap. “Hi, Dr. Morrison,” he says quietly.

I proceed very carefully, not wanting to set him off. “Is there anything in particular you’d like to discuss in our session today?” I ask gently.

Blake avoids my eyes, his voice still low. “I want to apologize to you.”

I blink, surprised. “Apologize…what for?”

“I know I haven’t been taking this psychology thing very seriously.” He lets out a big sigh. “But Zack said something to me yesterday… I dunno, I’m thinking maybe he had a point.”

“Would you like to share what he said?” I have to keep myself from sounding too interested, but I am curious. What could Zack have said that would cause such a change in Blake?

Blake shrugs. “Basically, that…what we do in here, with you, actually does make a difference in the game, with the team. And that’s what Coach has been saying since you got here. But I didn’t really believe it, because it didn’t sound right , you know?”

“How can this,” He points to his head. “Make any difference with this?” Then he mimes swinging a hockey stick. “But yesterday, it clicked. I saw it on the ice.”

He leans forward in the chair. “Griff, and Donnie, and some others… they have been getting better all preseason, and Zack said it was because of you.”

I nod, a proud smile on my face. “Griffin and Donatello have worked hard with me to improve their mental game, it’s true. I’m glad that there has been a noticeable change in their playing.”

“That’s just it.” Blake leans forward, his hands growing animated. “I thought this psychology stuff was all crap, but it’s not. I’ve seen it work. So I’m sorry for not believing in you sooner, Doc. But I want to be the best. So can you help me become my best?”

This is very surprising, coming from him, but I’ll take it. If even Blake can be convinced that mental performance coaching works, I know I can get through to every guy on this team.

I look over Blake’s file one more time. “Absolutely. Okay, let’s get started.”

Blake leaves after our session with a smile on his face. He only got a little bit angry with me today, which is a huge improvement over our previous sessions. Plus he calmed down quickly when I reminded him that I’m not trying to offend him, and that everything we’re doing is to help him become a better hockey player. I’m proud of the progress he made today, and I think I have just enough time before the season starts to get him to a good place.

I tell Zack all about it on our walk home. “I had a really good session with Blake today. I think he’s finally coming around.”

“Really?” Zack swings our interlaced hands as we walk. “He was being a real jerk about it yesterday.”

“So you came to my defense? That makes sense. I was wondering what inspired him to apologize to me.” I lean into him slightly. “Thanks for being my knight in shining armor.”

“He apologized and everything? Dang. Guess I owe him an apology, too.” Zack sighed. “I was pretty hard on him. But it sounds like he finally got his head on straight.”

“All thanks to you.” I squeeze his hand. “You make everyone around you better. The Blades are lucky to have you.”

“You’re just saying that because you like me.” Zack nudges me, and I nudge him back.

My phone buzzes, and I drop Zack’s hand to reach into my pocket. “Sorry, I have to take this.” I answer the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, Amber!” Eric’s friendly voice comes through the line. “Eric here from the JOYCe, I just wanted to give you a quick call before I head out for the day. Are you available to come by the youth center this Saturday, so we iron out the details of what we’ve been discussing?”

“I should be, yes!” I smile excitedly at Zack, who tilts his head curiously, having no idea what’s going on. “Just let me know when you want me to stop by and I’ll be there!”

“Perfect. I’m going to invite a few of the folks I know from the school board as well. I think it would be good to connect them with you sooner rather than later.”

“Absolutely. Sounds like a plan!” I shift my feet excitedly. “See you then!”

“See you Saturday.” Eric hangs up the phone.

I put my phone away and do a little happy dance. “Yes!”

“What’s that about?” Zack watches me, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I stop dancing for a moment to explain. “I’ve got a meeting at JOYCe this weekend!”

“That’s great!” Zack celebrates with me. “What for?”

I slip my phone back into my pocket. “Well, since we visited the youth center the other day, I’ve been emailing back and forth with Eric, and it turns out there are a lot of opportunities around here for mental performance coaching. My skills are a little too niche for the people that JOYCe serves, but he’s going to connect me with some local high schools and colleges.”

I clutch the strap of my bag excitedly. “I think this could be a really interesting new path for me. I already sent a proposal to my boss about starting a pilot program that extends our business into the high school and college level, starting here in Michigan. We still need to work out all the details, but my boss is all about expanding the consulting business.”

“And you’d get to stay in Red Oak…as a home base.” Zack’s eyes shine as he takes my face gently between his hands. “That’s amazing, Amber. I’m so proud of you.”

“Well, I’ve grown pretty attached to the place.” I play casual for a moment before growing serious. “I really like it here. I’m close to my family, I can see Mike more often… and, of course, Red Oak is where a certain Zack Colt lives.”

Zack smiles before leaning in and kissing me softly. His touch sends electricity shooting through me, as it always does. His lips brush mine like a promise, and then, barely above a whisper—“ I love you. ”

I pull back with a squeak. My heart stops, and from the look of Zack’s wide-eyed, bright red face, his heart has stopped too. “You love me?” I repeat breathlessly.

“It just slipped out.” Zack’s eyes dart between mine, trying to gauge my reaction. I’m honestly not sure how to react. My body is frozen, waiting to hear what he says next.

“Well, it’s how I feel. I love you, Amber Morrison.”

I can feel his heart pounding under my fingers where they rest on his chest. I let his words sink in for a beat, sending a thrill through me.

Then I take his face in my hands and from the bottom of my heart comes, “ I love you, too, Zack Colt. I think I always have.”

Zack’s face lights up, but I only have a moment to see his reaction before I kiss him again. Nothing has ever felt so right as his lips on mine, his hands on my waist, the two of us fitting together like puzzle pieces.

When I came to Red Oak, Michigan, I thought I’d never see Zack Colt again, and I was happy about that.

But now here he is. Here we are. I never could have planned it, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.