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I shake my head and pull my lips into my mouth.
She points in the direction of where I plan to build the rink. “You’re going to build an indoor ice rink over there?”
“Hear me out.”
“This had better be good.” She crosses her arms in front of her and pops her hip.
She looks cute when she’s mad.
“We have money.” Lots of money. Millions, in fact. “The last thing we invested in was this house. And that was ten years ago. We both worked our asses off to restore this monstrosity.” It was financially and physically draining. “I figured we can make use of it in other ways.” I pause. “I’ve decided I’m not going to coach the Eagles anymore. I handed in my resignation this morning.” I only had a couple more days to decide if I was returning. Deep down in my gut, going back felt wrong.
I know this is what I want to do.
Lily’s mouth drops open. I reach out and place my finger under her chin to close it.
“Don’t be shocked. I am opening a training facility for hockey players. It won’t be a full-size rink; it will be much smaller.” It makes sense, after all, most games are played in the end zone. Smaller is better. “Hockey players often work with specialists and private coaches to improve their skills, specifically how to avoid contact and be safe. I plan to work with them on elite skills, like edge work. I can show them how to turn on a dime because when their edge work is on point, it means they can evade being checked when they’re heading into corners to get the puck. It helps to stop the other team's player boarding you as you both battle for the biscuit.” Fuck me, I’m excited and will be working with the best of the best from every team across the NHL. As a former pro and coach, it won’t be hard to get clients. “They will work one on one with a private coach looking at ways to reduce their vulnerability on the rink.”
“You never did that,” Lily questions my reasoning, her brows dipping in the middle.
“I didn’t need to. I learned from the best.” Her knowing smile mirrors mine because she knows I’m referring to my dad. He was the best.
“Working with a private coach between seasons or when injured, is huge in the US, but nobody does it here in Canada. I want to be the first. I want to work with local NHL players as well as Division One athletes who are about to be drafted. And I can even do that between games if they are local.” My voice rises in excitement. “They will train there.” I widen my hands as if I am holding a box and point in the direction of the space where the ice rink will go. “And accommodate and feed them here.” I point at the house. “I’m going to hire a nutritionist, a physical therapist.” One who I think should incorporate meditation and yoga into the training plan. Since we started working with Lorna on a weekly basis, it’s helped Lily and me mentally, training us to relax, and physically, my hip is less painful than it was before. “In addition, I would hire a sports psychologist to target any confidence issues they encounter following an injury or to conquer their fear of getting hit by a huge hockey player when playing.” Contact is a huge part of hockey. The last thing you want is to get hit by someone much bigger than you. Escaping contact will be the biggest part of my private training.
I continue to stare at the house.
Fuck, it’s a big dream.
I turn to look at Lily, scared about what she’s going to say. Only I discover she’s grinning at me. “You’re excited about this?”
“Yes, I am.” I can’t wait to start.
“This is what you want to do?”
“Yes. I want to tutor hockey pros and work with them on their skills.”
“Is this what you went to see Scott Cole in New Jersey about? Is that what he does?”
“Yes. He’s so busy, he’s already got a waiting list and pros who want to work with me.”
She covers her mouth. “Oh my God, Ash. This is huge.”
“I don’t want to be away from you. Traveling, overnighters, being at everyone’s beck and call. This will be my business on my terms. Dinner with you every night, home at traditional hours. And between training NHL and Division One players, I thought I would open this place up as a training camp for juniors. As well as offering the facilities for free for underprivileged kids.” I love coaching that peewee team. I’ve already spotted a few talented players who have potential and I know the right people in the world of hockey to help them.
Jumping on board, Lily becomes animated, waving her hands around. “We could convert the four rooms in the east wing into six-man rooms with bunk beds for the kids.” Lily sounds excited about that. “Tiger Lily Events could manage all your bookings. You wouldn’t need to do any of the admin. We’d handle it all. From the pros to the charities. Cleaners and housemaids.”
I fucking love this woman. “So, you’re in?”
“I’m in.” She beams up at me.
I fling my arms around her waist and spin her around, making her scream with joy. I plant her feet carefully back down on the ground. “I didn’t think it was possible, but I think I fell in love with you all over again these last two months.”
“Impossible,” she counters.
“Because you love me more?”
“Absolutely.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
