Ava’s eyes are large and round, and she’s frozen in place, her dress still hiked up around her waist.
Not good.
I scoop her up and gently deposit her into the nearest laundry cart just as Coach bursts through the door.
“I swear to God, if there’s a puck bunny in this locker room…” he bellows, his gaze sweeping the space.
It would almost be funny if it wasn’t his daughter hiding in the laundry cart three feet away from me. This is definitely not how I want Coach to find out about us. Not when there are so many sticks and sharp blades in close proximity.
“It’s uh, it’s just me, Coach.”
His eyes narrow in suspicion. “I heard a woman’s voice.”
I rub the back of my neck, mentally scrambling for an explanation. “I was watching a video.”
His eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you seriously watching porn in the locker room, St. James? For fuck’s sake, do that shit at home. I don’t want to know about it.” He shakes his head in disgust. “I hired a counselor to help y’all deal with your shit, and instead of talking about your feelings, you’re in here watching porn.”
Ava giggles from inside the hamper, and I cough loudly, trying to mask the sound.
“To be fair, Coach, the two are not mutually exclusive.”
“Jesus Christ, St. James. Quit talking.” He holds his hand up in the universal sign for stop. “You good for dinner on Sunday? I can grill us up some steaks to celebrate our win over the Capitals.”
Someone’s feeling bullish.
“From your lips to God’s ears, but yeah, I’ll be there.”
Coach nods, seemingly satisfied. I open my mouth to ask if I should bring anything special since Ava’s birthday is on Friday, but then I snap it shut. Ava doesn’t know that I know it’s her birthday, and if Coach is planning something special, I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
“Have you seen Ava?” he asks. “I’ve looked all over and I can’t find her.”
My cheeks grow warm, and I can’t help but wonder if this is a test. Does he know I just lied to his face? That his daughter is hiding in the laundry cart behind me?
Imagine what he’d do if he knew her scent was clinging to your upper lip.
Nope. Definitely not going there.
“I haven’t seen her since we left the ice.” I strive for a casual tone, despite the fact that I’m freaking the fuck out. “I think she usually spends the afternoons in her office. Maybe try there?”
“You’re probably right.” He huffs out a breath, then wrinkles his nose. “This place smells terrible. It’s the last place my baby girl would be hanging out.”
Guilt strikes hard and fast, a physical blow to my chest.
It’s compounded when Coach continues, his expression softening. “You know, Knox, I haven’t always been great about saying it, but I’m proud of you, son. You’re becoming exactly the kind of leader this team needs, and it’s showing the standings. I know it hasn’t been easy, but there’s no one else I’d trust with the job.”
My chest tightens, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. “Th-thank you, sir.”
It’s official. I’m the biggest asshole on the planet.
This man is like a father to me. He saved me when I was drowning in grief, helped me find my way back to the sport I love, and trusted me to lead this team with his job on the line. And I’m sneaking around doing the one thing he explicitly forbade: fucking his daughter.
No, that’s not right. What Ava and I share is more than physical.
In fact, our no-strings arrangement is starting to feel a hell of a lot like a real relationship. If only I could get Ava to acknowledge it…
Coach leaves, and I wait until I hear the door to the hallway close before I move.
Ava pops up from the laundry cart, hair disheveled. “That was close.”