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With each thrust into her, I feel my priorities shifting. But I’m not mad or scared. It’s the best feeling in the world to know I live for someone else now. It’s not just my dreams and aspirations pushing me forward. It’s hers.
Chapter 41
Nick
“Miller.” Coach calls me into his office after practice.
We have one more game tonight.
I’ve taken all my finals for the semester and just waiting on my grades to come in. This is our last game before winter break. We only get two and a half weeks off before we come back for conditioning and training.
“Yes, Coach.” I peek my head in, unsure if I should sit or if this will be a quick meeting.
Most times it’s quick. Just something Coach has to remind me of and then sends me on my way.
Not today.
“Come in. Close the door and sit down.” Coach’s tone is always a bit harsh, making it hard to tell if this is a friendly call or if I’m about to get my ass chewed out.
I thought I’ve been playing great these past two months, but you never know.
“How’s your knee?” Coach asks, eyeing my knee intently.
He hasn’t said anything yet, but I know he gets the medical reports from the trainers.
“It feels great. No issues since I got it checked out.”
He nods and purses his lips before speaking again.
“Don’t ever keep this shit from me again.” Coach points a finger at my face. “You could’ve easily ruined your future by playing with an injury.”
I just sit there looking down and nod. I know he’s right. I was just hoping it would go away.
“I wanted to bench you as soon as I saw this report. I wasn’t even looking for it, figuring you’d have more sense than to try to hide this shit from me.”
I knew somehow, he missed it or hadn’t seen it yet. I’ve been waiting for this moment to come for weeks. Last game of the semester and I won’t even get to play in it.
To make it worse, Lenny was so excited she’s reporting on it. So now, I’m disappointing her too.
“I’m not benching you.” Coach reads my mind, taking me by surprise. “I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but you’ve been playing your best games in the past couple of months. You're quicker and more focused than I’ve ever seen you. Better than any goalie I’ve ever seen on the ice. NHL included.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Whatever it is, keep it up.”
I stand quick. I haven’t been dismissed yet, but I don’t want to give him a chance to change his mind. “Thank you, sir.”
“Yeah, yeah. Get out of here. Don’t ever do it again.” He dismisses me and goes back to reviewing the papers in front of him.
I know exactly what’s made my game better. It’s the girl cheering me on from the stands and encouraging me on and off the ice. She’s been to every home game and even came to a few away ones that were close enough to drive to with Layla. I feel her presence out there making me strive to be better. I feel more relaxed and comfortable just knowing That’s she’s waiting for me after whatever happens in the game.
With an extra pep in my step I send Lenny a text just letting her know how much I love her. She still has one more final today, but I’ll see her at my game and after that we'll spend the night together. Tomorrow we both head back home, but we planned to video chat and talk every day.
It’s only a few weeks.
I’ll have to be back here earlier than her, but I’ll be busy with training before we start playing for the championship games.
After a team dinner, we head back to the locker room to get ready for the game. Outside are a few reporters for the local and national papers, but right at the end is the only one I have eyes for.
Lenny isn’t wearing my team shirt like usual. I can see it poking out of her Drexton Hall fleece or rather my Drexton Hall fleece. She’s trying to appear all professional with her press pass necklace and her phone out, ready to take notes. The reporters have the coaches pulled aside for some pregame questions. Lenny has Luca pulled aside, asking her own.
She glances up feeling my eyes on her, but quickly looks down and back to Luca. Biting her bottom lip to try to hide her smile as her cheeks flush red.
