“Pav and Flea gotta hit the weights,” Jesse offers.
“And you don’t?” Tristan grumbles.
“Farm teams are where young guys get sent to adjust,” Jake says, glancing at Natalie before reaching for the salad tongs. “To the speed, the physicality, and intensity of the game.”
He looks around the table, levelling each of the rookies with a look before continuing. “You’re not playing with teenagers anymore. Some of those guys weigh sixty or seventy pounds more than you, and they know every dirty trick in the book.”
“Like you, Mac?” Jesse quips.
Jake’s mouth curves into a sly grin, and Natalie’s stomach flips. She takes a steadying breath, mentally repeating the plan: be polite, keepher distance, and do not fall for her brother’s teammate. Also, try to stop sweating.
“You guys will adjust,” he says. “Put in the work. Give it time.”
Pavel doesn’t respond right away. He stares down at his plate, his features unreadable, shoulders tight.
Jake studies him, as though weighing his next words carefully. “And everyone’s always going to have an opinion on how you’re playing.”
Pavel finally looks up, meeting Jake’s gaze head-on.
“Remember what we talked about the other day,” Jake says quietly. “Don’t take criticism from anyone you wouldn’t go to for advice.”
Jake gives a small nod, and Pavel returns to his plate, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little.
“That’s… really good advice,” Natalie says, looking at Jake.
“You don’t last in this game without a hard head and thick skin,” Jake offers.
“And what other things are you teaching them?” Natalie asks, curious now.
“Just little things, stuff that they’re expected to know but no one spells it out. How early to show up for the bus, what door to use on game days, when we have to wear a suit and tie. Crap like that.”
“And protein. Mac is big on protein,” Jesse says, gesturing with a meatball on his fork.
“Well yeah. You guys need to eat properly on my watch. Have some discipline.” Jake leans back in his chair, casting his eyes on the three younger guys.
“He makes us eat breakfast with him before every morning skate,” Jesse says.
“I hardly make you. You love my brekky, Sunshine.”
“If they eat as much for breakfast as they do for dinner, my wallet is crying for you,” Natalie says lightly. “You boys demolished everything. I thought we would have leftovers!”
“Everything was delicious, Natalie. Thank you,” Jake says standing, gathering plates and cutlery from the table.
“Alright gents. She cooked, so we clean. Let’s go,” Jake says to a chorus of groans.
Natalie gives Jake an appraising look. She had expected to be doing all the washing up. She was used to it when dealing with Jesse and his buddies.
Why is Jake being so nice? Because his coach asked him to be a role model?
Don’t read into it.It’s better if she doesn’t think about him at all.
CHAPTER 13
Tristan
Big sis is a smokeshow
Pavel
