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Coach walks into the room and we all quiet down.
“Morning, men. Before we review some plays, I just want to mention some logistics. We got a new assistant physical therapist. Patty Sanders is going to be working for the team full time and will be assisting Jamie for all your needs. If you recognize the last name, then you’re observant. Patty is my daughter,” Coach says pointedly. “She is also an employee of the team. There are strict non-fraternization policies in place, so don’t think you can hit on my daughter or ask her out. Patty is good at what she does and should be treated in the same way you would treat Mike.”
I blink slowly at Coach’s words. I really messed up with Patty this morning. First, whistling, then complimenting her fine ass. I’m still thinking of the way her fingers felt working out all my kinks. I know my head is messed up though. There is no way I am really attracted to her. I’m just heartbroken and acting like an idiot.
“I received therapy this morning and she did a bang-up job,” I confirm. Liam’s head snaps to me and his eyes narrow, giving me a look like he thinks I’ve lost it. Maybe I have.
Coach gives me a pointed glare.
“I’m serious, Hayworth,” Coach snaps, glaring at me. Then his gaze roams over the room. “Patty is here to work. Treat her with the respect she deserves.”
“Of course, Coach. My apology,” I say. Liam rubs his forehead beside me. “I was just trying to be complimentary.”
Coach then moves on to different plays from our last game. We made some mistakes but luckily, we were able to bounce back and win. After the meeting, the guys disperse. I head back to the therapy room because I need to make sure I didn’t insult Patty in any way.
When I knock on her office door, she looks up as if she is surprised to see me. I guess that makes sense because she gave me a full work up this morning.
“Can I help you?” she asks.
I pinch the back of my neck. “I just want to welcome you aboard. I hope I didn’t offend you this morning. The reason I drank last night was because I caught my girlfriend of one year cheating on me yesterday,” I reveal, surprising myself.
Patty frowns and leans back in her chair. “Sorry to hear.”
“Yeah, so I drank a little too much, which I don’t do during the season, especially not during playoffs, and I woke up feeling very off this morning,” I explain. Hoping she accepts my explanation as more of an apology. “She. . . Evie. . .she messed with my head.”
“That sucks. I get it,” she assures.
“Oh yeah? Have you had a guy cheat on you? I think it’s a terrible thing to do. My father cheated on my mother, and they got divorced when I was younger. I never want to be that guy.”
Now I’m pouring my heart out to my coach’s daughter. Just great.
“Sorry, I’m clearly a mess. I should get out of your way,” I say, taking a couple steps back. I bump into another desk and almost fall over but I catch myself. “You probably thought hockey players should have grace.” I give her a crooked smile.
She returns it with a sad grin. “It’s all good. I’ve never had a guy cheat on me because I don’t allow myself to get invested in a relationship. It works for me.” She shrugs. Damn, she sounds a little like Brett. I wonder if someone screwed her over to the point she didn’t want to date anymore.
“Yeah, well, maybe you can teach me how it’s done. I swear I had game in college. You’d think I would be on top of my game now, not have my girlfriend. . . ex-girlfriend,” I correct, “cheat on me with an old guy.”
The minute the words leave my mouth, I regret it, because Patty face morphs into severe sympathy. I hate it.
“Ignore me,” I beg. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m taking you out for a drink tonight. You can order a Coke. I’ll show you how to have fun without getting attached,” she offers, surprising the hell out of me.
“You’re joking,” I snicker. There must be a catch. “Did the guys put you up to this?” I look over my shoulder to see if they are right behind me. I know them. They are going to worry about me, but putting the coach’s daughter up to helping me would be over the top.
“What guys?” she asks, looking confused.
I give my head a shake. “Never mind.”
“Just so you understand, I’m helping you out as a friend. Don’t go getting any crazy ideas about me,” she warns and her blue eyes sparkle.
I pinch my lips. “Definitely not. Your dad literally just warned the entire team to treat you with the highest degree of professionalism, but I don’t see why we can’t be friends.”
“We aren’t friends, Evan. I’m just helping you out tonight. You’ll have fun and maybe get your mind off . . . what was her name?”
“I’ve already forgotten.” I grin and nod.
“Good.” Patty laughs.
