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Pete stepped closer. "Well, you've got a knack for getting people to leap when you push them. Makes you a damn good coach."
He was close—in my space. I glanced at his lips and back up to his eyes, now aware of a different tension in the air. My brain shouted,Talk to him, damn it. Clear the air about this thing between you two.
Unfortunately, my mouth had other ideas. "All part of the gig," I heard myself mumble.
The space between us crackled with electricity. It was undeniable, like an itch begging to be scratched. Pete's eyes darted to my lips and then back up. "Yeah, part of the gig," he echoed, softer than before.
Damn, he looked so good. I calculated in my head whether I should do something or if it was best to figure out a way to de-escalate.
"We make a great team, Hoss," Pete whispered.
That was the moment, the time to say something. The elephant in the room was staring straight at me. "We do," I found myself agreeing, "and not just on the ice."
His eyes flicked to my lips again before rising to meet my gaze. "No, it's not just about the ice."
I’d finally started to form the words on my lips when Pete stepped back. He’d seen something in my expression that caused him to stop the freight train of desire.
"We've got qualifying for the playoffs to think about. Lots of prep ahead," he said, stepping back and glancing over his shoulder toward his office.
My mouth said, "Yeah, a lot to prep for," as my brain screamed,Missed opportunity, Hoss! Freaking missed opportunity!
Pete nodded, his gaze lingering on me before he turned away, leaving me standing there, fumbling with a raft of emotions.
Chapter8
Pete
Iclicked open the email for the third time, hoping, in the back of my mind, that the words might've changed. But no, the offer was still there in black and white. An NHL team wanted me on their coaching staff.
I leaned back in my chair, the leather groaning in sync with the emotions swirling inside me. My eyes landed on the team's logo at the top of the email, it was a clear reminder of where I used to be—a star player, right in the thick of the big league.
My phone buzzed, jolting me out of my thoughts. An old teammate, Mark, was calling. "Pete, how’ve you been, man? Long time.”
"Yeah, too long. What's up?"
"Got wind of that NHL offer you've got. Don't play coy; it's a small world. The news will spread.”
I chuckled nervously. "Yeah, it's hard to believe.”
"When you took the Cold Pines job, you said it was only temporary until you could got back to the big time. This is your shot, buddy."
He was right. Yet as soon as I hung up, my eyes wandered to a framed team photo of the Cold Pines Cougars, taken only a week ago after Eddie signed on. I zeroed in on Hoss. What would it mean for him if I left?
The indecision plagued me all the way through practice. Afterward, I caught Hoss as he was helping Eddie with his gear. They were cracking jokes, and both of their faces lit up with amusement. When Hoss saw me, the smile remained.
"Pete, how’s it going? Did you need me for something?”
"Yeah, got a minute?" I nodded toward the vacant seats, and we climbed up into the stands, plunking down in the front row.
"Of course, shoot."
My gut churned. I had an NHL offer burning a hole in my pocket, and it was the perfect chance to come clean, but I bailed out. Instead, I went with, "Been thinking about the season and how far we've all come. I guess it’s beyond what I could have predicted.”
Hoss looked like he was absorbing the weight of the words. "Yeah, it's been a hell of a ride so far. Working under the old coach here wasn’t much, but now, this is a heck of a gig."
"Yeah," I agreed, "We've got a good thing going."
Hoss looked at me, his usual confident air showing a hint of vulnerability. "Look, I've never coached anywhere else. Cold Pines is my first time, and already, it feels like home. They took a chance when I was still stumbling out of rehab, and now, you. Damn, you’re still a hero to so many, Pete. Can't really see myself doing this with someone else."
