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He shifted his weight on his feet. “I actually had a question for Mac,” he said before looking past me to him. “The kids heard that you were here and I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes to skate with them. They’re getting ready to get on the ice for another skills session, but I also know you’re busy and probably need to get going.”
I turned around to look at Mac who shook his head. “Actually, my day is pretty wide open. Let me grab my skates, stick, and gloves from my car and I’ll meet you guys on the ice.”
“Thank you so much,” Chase said with such sincerity in his voice. “You have no idea how much it will mean to these kids.”
Mac nodded and Chase disappeared out of my office, once again leaving us alone. Mac closed the distance between us and reached up to cup the side of my face. “We’re finishing this later, Juliette. Are you free tonight? I want to take you out.”
“I am.”
Mac’s lips met mine in a soft, slow, torturous kiss. “It’s a date then.”
“I guess it is, isn’t it?”
He took a step back before walking around my desk and heading in the direction of the door. He paused in the doorway, turning back to face me. “Come meet us on the ice. I could use a passing partner to demonstrate some stuff for the kids.”
My eyes widened slightly. “I’m sure one of the other coaches could go out there with you.”
“I don’t want them, Juliette,” he said simply as he stared at me. “I want you.”
He didn’t speak another word as he headed out into the hall. I stared at the door where he was last standing, feeling his words as they sank into the fibers of my soul. He was in my veins and I was utterly fucked.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
MAC
“Holy shit, that was so cool.”
My eyes widened as I stared down at the little ten-year-old and stifled a laugh. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be saying those words, bud.”
A nervous laugh escaped him and he undid the straps on his helmet before pulling them off. “Please don’t tell my mom,” he said with a tense smile. “She’ll definitely ground me.”
I clapped my hand over his shoulder, squeezing the padding underneath. “Don’t worry, Jake, I won’t say anything.”
“This is exactly why you’re my favorite player.”
“Because I’m not going to tell on you?” I asked him, laughing as I walked with him toward the locker room that the rest of the kids had funneled into.
They were all starstruck when I hit the ice. I assisted the coaches with the different drills they had the kids doing and showed them some tips that were more at their level. Juliette was able to come out for a few minutes but she ended up getting called away for something business related instead.
I didn’t get the chance to see her actually play, but there would be time for that. And I couldn’t wait to challenge her on the ice.
“Well, I mean, that’s just a bonus on top of how good of a player you are.”
I shook my head, still laughing. When I was his age, I never had the chance to meet a professional player so I couldn’t have said how I would have acted. He seemed nervous, like he needed to impress me at first, but now he was acting like a normal typical kid. Like I wasn’t someone he idolized, even though he made it clear he had me sitting on a pedestal.
“Well, one day I’m sure you’ll be giving me a run for my money. You’re extremely talented, Jake. If you keep up with it and keep pushing yourself, you’ll be going places one day.”
His little eyes lit up and his lips parted. “You really think so?”
“Absolutely.” I paused for a moment as he put his stick outside of the locker room. “It takes a lot of discipline and hard work, but I believe in you.”
“Wow. Thank you, Mac.”
“Jake, get in here and get changed,” Chase pushed the door open and called out to him. “Your mother will be here soon.”
I held my hand out to shake Jake’s. “It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you on the roster for a professional team one day.”
“Yes, sir,” he said with a swift nod and a firm handshake. I watched him as he turned around and disappeared into the room where the rest of the kids were.
