Everyone’s feeling the pressure of tonight’s game, which will determine whether we make the playoffs. If we don’t win, this could be the end of my short run as assistant coach.
But my last name is Marco, and failure isn’t in my vocabulary.
“Hey.” Rourke elbows me as he pulls on his jersey. “You okay, Coach?”
“Just tired.” I sink onto the bench next to where he’s changing.
“I bet. Janie and I ducked out of the reception early to relieve the babysitter, and I’m still exhausted.” He sits down to lace up his skates. “How much sleep did you get?”
“Not much. I slept on a hospital couch.”
“I heard the news.How’s her dad?”
“He’s doing better now. They think he’ll make a full recovery.”
Rourke studies me. “Then why don’t you seem happier? Wedding’s behind you, her dad’s stable. Now you guys can ride off into the sunset, right?”
“I wish.” I drop the clipboard on the bench.
Brax stops mid-stretch. “What happened? You two looked insanely happy at the wedding. Couldn’t keep your hands off each other.”
“Guys, this isn’t the time.” I stand up, trying to redirect them back to their jobs. “We’ve got a game to focus on.”
“It might not be the best time,” Jaxon says, walking over to us. “But if you don’t tell us what’s going on, your mind’s going to be on her today instead of on the ice. And we all know Jakowski’s looking for any excuse to make you look bad.”
“He’s got a point,” Miles adds.
They’re all waiting on me to come clean, the six friends who’ve stuck by me through everything. Sure, sometimes I have to yell at them when they get too cocky, but that’s all part of the relationship.
“Fine.” I sit down. “My uncle found out about our arrangement, and now he thinks Scarlett’s using me to get the vendor contract.”
Tate huffs out a disbelieving laugh. “That doesn’t sound like Scarlett at all. Just tell him that.”
“It’s not that simple.” I run a hand through my hair. “She’s afraid that if it gets out, it will change everyone’s perception of her.”
“Then you need to talk to your uncle first,” Rourke demands. “You’ve been waiting years for this girl. He needs to know that.”
“I know what he’s going to say.” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “That I should be focused on my career. And that if I do settle down, it needs to be with someone who fits the image he’s been building for me. Someone who makes the organization look good.” I shake my head. “He’s wrong about Scarlett. He doesn’tknow her.” I drag my hands down my face. “But the timing with Jakowski breathing down my neck and the nepotism accusation makes everything worse.”
“How can you believe that?” Leo asks, outraged. “You’re a better coach than Jakowski ever will be.”
“Tell that to my uncle,” I mutter.
“Or better yet,” Brax says, coming toward me. “How about we prove it to him?”
I look around at the guys standing in a circle around me. “How do you prove that?”
“We go out there and crush this game,” Brax says. “And then we tell your uncle that it’s all because of Coach Marco.”
“A win would definitely help. But you guys always try to win, regardless.”
“Yeah we do,” Leo says cockily. “But tonight we’re doing itfor you. Then we’re going to tell him what you bring to this team as our coach, and all the ways Jakowski is trying to bring you down.” He looks around at his teammates. “Right, guys?”
Rourke puts his fist in the air. “I think this calls for a Crushers hug.”
“No, wait! I’m not—” But before I can get the words out, they’re circling around me, enclosing me inside their group hug.
“Guys!” I yell, trying to sound authoritative, but it’s too late. I’m in the middle of a giant Crushers sandwich. “I’m supposed to be your coach, not your?—”