Page 29 of Offside Play (Love The Game #1)

Cody

“ C ody. I’m Ross. Thanks for coming.” Ross Griffin held out his hand, shaking mine firmly. He looked to be in his early thirties, around the same height as Jude, with reddish-blond hair and bright blue eyes.

“Cody!”

I raised my brows at Jude’s indignant tone. “What?”

“You never told me he was Canadian.” He studied the manager of Cheltenham Storm, suddenly uncertain. “You are Canadian, right?”

Ross’s mouth curved into a grin.

“Alberta born and bred. Well, my mother’s family is Scottish, so I guess I have a foot in each country, so to speak.”

Jude nodded, biting down on his lip. “Cool. Uh, sorry I was rude. I’m Jude Nielson, Cody’s fr?—”

“Partner,” I said. “Although that needs to remain between us.” We’d only just met, but I trusted my instincts, and they were telling me I could trust him.

This guy wasn’t about fame or fortune or giving the media an exclusive.

Our phone conversation had left me reassured, and along with the background research I’d done on him yesterday evening, I’d come away with the impression of a decent, honest man.

Next to me, Jude stiffened, his wide, shocked gaze swinging to mine. I found his hand and squeezed it gently, letting him know it was okay, and he gave me a tentative smile.

Ross didn’t even blink, taking it all in stride. “It goes no further. You can trust me.” He nodded at the sliding doors that led into the arena. “Now, how about I show you both around?”

After our brief tour of the facilities, we entered the rink itself, and I exhaled, closing my eyes as I let the familiar sounds and smells wash over me. I’d missed this, even more than I’d realised. Hockey was in my blood.

“It never gets old, does it?”

My eyes flew open to find Ross shooting me a knowing grin, which I suddenly found easy to return.

“Never.”

“The arena has a capacity of just under two thousand. One of the smallest in the league, but there’s potential for expansion.

” He chuckled. “I’m getting ahead of myself.

One thing at a time. And that leads us into why you’re here.

I suppose I should have begun this whole thing by saying how much I appreciate you taking the time to come down here and take a look. ”

Shifting on my feet, I scratched at my stubble.

“No problem.” I was still processing the fact that someone wanted my insight.

In the NHL, I’d been just another player trying to prove I belonged.

Here, I was apparently someone whose advice was valuable.

It was weird and different and left me with a strange warmth that I usually only associated with Jude.

My gaze turned to the ice, where a group of teenagers were warming up, closely supervised by two guys dressed in Cheltenham Storm jerseys.

Ross followed my line of sight, both of us watching their moves.

He sighed. “As I’m sure you can see, these kids have the talent, but it’s the structure of their training we’re struggling with.

And trying to divide my focus between them and our pro team…

What I want is to build something sustainable here, to develop players who could eventually make it to the main team. ”

I watched as they ran through basic drills, and immediately, I could see what Ross meant. They had the skills, but the issue was putting them into action.

My hands itched to be holding a stick, and my feet ached. Jude nudged me, giving me an expectant look when I glanced at him, and I groaned internally. Fine . I was only prolonging the inevitable by standing here.

I cleared my throat. “Can I— Would it be okay for me to get out on the ice and see them up close? Maybe give them a few tips?”

Ross grinned. “That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say.”

Stepping onto the ice in my borrowed skates felt like coming home.

I did a few laps of the rink, getting used to the feel of the unfamiliar skates, and then came to a stop next to one of the forwards.

I’d noticed he’d been rushing his plays, desperate to score, and while this was a different situation from my one-on-one coaching, I was certain I could apply the same techniques I normally used.

“Instead of trying to take the shot yourself, take a moment to look around and see where your teammates are. Sometimes it’s better to pass to someone in a different position who might have more of a chance at a shot.”

He nodded, listening with a serious expression on his face. When the kids started up again, I immediately noticed the difference. Instead of rushing, he took the time to look around, passing to a teammate who hit the puck straight into the net.

The two Storm players who’d been helping out stopped what they were doing to watch as I skated across the rink to high-five the forward I’d been speaking to.

“Mate. That was bloody brilliant,” one of them said.

His teammate rolled his eyes, although his lips were curving upwards. “Brilliant. Yeah. Thanks for making us look like amateurs. Didn’t know you could coach. Guess you’re a natural at that as well.”

I shrugged, my gaze dropping to my borrowed skates.

I wasn’t used to these kinds of compliments from my peers.

“It’s not really anything to do with me.

At this level, it’s less about individual skills and more about understanding the game as a whole.

These kids have talent. They just need to learn how to think like hockey players and play as a team. ”

“Not really anything to do with you,” the first guy muttered. “I didn’t think NHL players were known for their modesty.”

I smirked. “They’re not.”

“At least he admits it!” They tapped their fists together before turning to grin at me, and I couldn’t help my smile.

By the end of the session, I found myself surrounded by kids asking me question after question, their enthusiasm never dimming despite the fact that they’d been on the ice for at least an hour.

It reminded me so much of working with Marcus and the other kids back in Calgary.

There was something bittersweet about it, but also something exciting.

These kids were training with the aim to play for Cheltenham Storm one day.

What would it be like to get to follow someone’s journey all the way from youth training to becoming a professional player?

Ross clapped me on the back as the kids began to make their way off the ice. “That was awesome. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that was our most successful youth session so far. You’re a natural.”

“They’re a talented bunch. They made it easy.”

He hesitated for a moment before he seemed to come to a decision.

“Look, I know you mentioned you’re only here for the summer, but would you be interested in doing more of this while you’re around?

We could really use the help, and I think today’s session made it clear that they respond well to you.

We can draw up an official contract—I’m not expecting you to do anything for free. ”

“Can I think about it?” I asked, aware of Jude’s gaze on me, warm and so fucking affectionate it made my heart stutter all over again.

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”