AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I guess there’s no use in beating around the bush,” Coach added. “I’d like to give a warm welcome to our new assistant coach, two-time Frozen Four champ, and Lakers legend, James ‘The Real Deal’ Dixon.”
“Holy shit,” Noah muttered again as the guys began clapping. Abel Adams, the kiss ass, even whooped.
“Thank you. I appreciate the excitement.” Coach Dixon stepped forward, his hands sliding over the top of the boards. “This team means a lot to me. Always has, always will. I’m excited for the chance to work with you.”
I’d seen countless footage of James Dixon from back in the day with both the Lakers and his short time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But he looked different up close. Older, sure. But it was something else—a shadow in his eyes.
“I wonder why Harper never told Rory about this,” Noah whispered.
“Maybe she did, and Rory just didn’t tell you.” I smirked, and he scowled back.
“She was probably sworn to secrecy,” he said.
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Austin added, earning him a hard look from Noah.
A few of the guys around us chuckled, well aware of the situation between the two of them. Austin loved Noah like a brother, and he’d given his blessing where Aurora was concerned, but he still liked to give Noah shit about it.
Couldn’t say that I blamed him. If I had a sister, I wouldn’t want to see her with my friend and teammate either. Some lines were never supposed to be crossed, and that was one of them.
“Okay, we’ll wrap it up for now. But Coach Dixon would like to meet with you all individually. There’s a sign-up on the noticeboard; choose a time that works and make sure you show up.”
A rumble of “yes, sir” and “you got it” filled the arena.
“Good.” Coach Tucker nodded. “Hit the showers and get out of here. I’ll see you all bright and early tomorrow morning. Aiden, son, a word.”
We all glanced over at Aiden and smirked. He mouthed “assholes” at us before shoving his way toward the coaching staff.
“Well, I didn’t see that coming,” Noah said as we headed off the ice and into the locker room.
“Harper never breathed a word of it Sunday night,” Connor frowned.
“Maybe she didn’t want things to be awkward,” Leon suggested.
“Awkward?”
“Well, her dad is the new coach. She tried to bang Noah and then made a pass at you.” He looked at me, and I pressed my lips together, teeth grinding.
As if I needed a fucking reminder that she’d wanted my best friend first.
I didn’t think of myself as a jealous guy. I usually didn’t care enough to feel territorial over things. Food. Hockey equipment. Girls. But there was something about our new coach’s daughter that rubbed me the wrong way.
“She didn’t try to bang me,” Noah corrected as we hit the benches.
I already had my jersey and shoulder pads off when Leon said, “Okay, shewantedto bang you.”
“Who doesn’t,” he shot back.
“What the fuck was that, Holden?” Austin stalked over.
“Jesus, it was a joke. I’m joking.”
“You’d better be because I’m pretty sure Coach wouldn’t be too happy if his star right-winger suddenly found himself injured.”
“Hurt me, hurt Rory.” Noah grinned.
Austin gawked at him, and the rest of us laughed.
“He’s got you there, bro,” Connor said.
