Page 101 of Unforgettable Player

Coach slaps me on the shoulder when I meet him down on the ice. He’s already started setting up for our last practice of the summer camp.

“This is it,” he says. There’s a wistful tone to his voice.

“Don’t worry, Coach. They’ll be back next summer.”

“But you won’t.”

“Hey, who says I won’t?”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’ll be too busy partying with the Frozen Four trophy.”

I laugh. “Everyone in Boston, Michigan and Denver will have to break their legs first.”

“Hey, that attitude won’t get you anywhere.”

“Sorry, Coach. You’re right.”

He nods. “Anyway, once you go back, there’ll be no stopping Harvard.”

I scoff and shake my head.

The kids are full of energy in their last practice of the summer break. Some of them will be going into juniors next year. Others will still be playing for fun. I’m excited for them, all the years they have spread out in front of them to enjoy hockey while their bodies let them, but I’m not jealous anymore. My career is just about to begin. My life is just about to begin.

We’re putting them through one last grueling bag skate—just for the fun of it, and because the little psychos seem to enjoy it—when I spot a familiar face in the stands.

Elliot smiles and waves at me before taking a seat and opening a book.

“There’s your smarter half, Ryan.”

I snort.

“You got something planned?”

“We’re gonna have one last date before we go back to school and then it’s all books and footnotes.”

“Have fun.”

I say bye to all the kids in the hallway. Emily Brown is there to collect her daughter.

Her eyes light up when she spots me.

“Connor, hi. Ashley had such a good time this summer. She couldn’t stop talking up Coach Ryan.”

“Mom,” Ashley says, blushing.

I grin. “I’m just an assistant coach, but I’m glad she liked it. Coach Garvin does a great job with these things.”

“He does.”

The main doors to the rink open and I turn to find Elliot walking toward me with a shy smile.

“This is my boyfriend,” I tell Emily, putting my arm around Eli.

Eli ducks his head and blushes.

“You know Elliot Bancroft, right?”

“Little Elliot? Sure I do.” Her smile is a touch too tight, but she recovers quickly. “You two make a cute couple. What are you doing now, Elliot?”