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“It sure as hell does.”
Chapter 4
TANK
My blades cut through the ice as I push out into the middle of the rink. I know the season hasn’t started yet, but I’m in the top position for becoming captain, and not a damn thing is going to stop me from earning it. So, here I am, taking every chance I can get to improve myself. To push myself to my absolute limits.
I will be captain of the LA Storm. No. Matter. What.
I’m about to have a son who’s going to look up to his daddy, and when he does, I want to see the pride shining through those little eyes. Eyes that I hope will look just like Sophie’s. I want him to learn that anything is possible, that if you work hard for something and put in the hours, his dreams will come true. Hell, I want him to be so proud of his daddy that he’ll brag to all his little friends that his daddy is better than theirs, and if that’s taking it too far, I don’t give a shit.
It’s amazing what that thought does to me. Just knowing I have a beautiful little boy growing inside my wife’s stomach fills me with something I’ve never felt before. Honestly, I have absolutely no fucking idea what this feeling is.
Pride? Love? Excitement? Maybe it’s a mix of it all, but whatever the hell it is, it spurs me on to be the best possible version of myself.
It was first thing in the morning when I snuck out of bed earlier than usual. Usually, I have no problem getting up and out in the morning, except today. Ever since Sophie got home from the spa with Dani, she’s been off . . . Well, maybe off is the wrong word. She has been distant . . . distracted.
To anyone who doesn’t know her, they would assume she’s hiding something. Whereas I know she only gets like this when she is deep in thought and planning a strategy to get the next big story, to put her name on the map, right up there with the best investigative journalists before her.
Don’t get me wrong, I love that she loves her job. I love that she has the drive to push herself to be the best. It’s fun and exciting for her, and when she gets to help put some sick bastards behind bars, right where they belong, she’s giving closure to those who need it. But she’s five months pregnant, and she needs to slow down. A new project is not what she needs right now.
This can’t be healthy for the baby, right?
I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me being overprotective. She likes to remind me of that all the time. Maybe I should just let her do her thing. Then again, if she got hurt, I would never forgive myself.
Damn it.
Someone pushing out onto the ice has my attention finally snapping away from the horrors of my own mind, and I’m thankful that now I’ll actually be able to concentrate.
Coach Larsden skates up to me with a slight lift of his chin. “How’s it going, Tank?” he asks, coming to a standstill beside me.
“Pretty good,” I say to the guy, who’s been my coach for the past five seasons, going on for what should be one hell of an amazing sixth. “It’s a bit early for you.”
“Yeah, I wanted to get an early start,” he grunts. “The season is starting soon, and I have a shitload of work to get through. Not to mention the paperwork you assholes bring along with it.”
A grin pulls at my lips, glad it’s him and not me. “Sounds riveting.”
Coach rolls his eyes as he pulls a puck from his pocket and drops it at his skates. “How’s your training going? I’ve noticed you’ve been logging a lot of hours in the gym.”
“I have,” I say. “I’m feeling good. Ready for the season.”
“I know you are,” he says with pride, a rare compliment from a guy who’s often harder than the ice he skates on. “That’s why you’re at the top of my list for being captain this season.”
I nod, trying not to let my ego soak that in. Man, it feels so damn good to hear those words, no matter how much I’ve heard it over the past few months. It’s been rumored up until now, but that confirmation is all I needed to know I’m heading in the right direction. “Thanks, Coach,” I say with a curt nod. “Appreciate it.”
He shrugs off my thanks, just as I knew he would. He isn’t one for accepting thanks, nor giving it. He’s a believer in getting what you deserve. If you’ve put the work in, then why shouldn’t you be rewarded? Either way, I’m not going to accept this position without letting him know how damn thankful I am. But one thing’s for sure, I won’t be letting him down, and I sure as fuck won’t be letting my team down.
