is why I’ve been wanting to get together with you.”
I stare at him, my mind still occupied with the idea of Carla sleeping with Chase before Charlotte was born. I don’t want to consider the possible ramifications, bile rising at the mere thought.
“As you know, Coach Griffin is retiring after this season.”
“I’ve heard.”
Coach Griffin was the head coach when I joined the team over ten years ago. He was a hard-ass, but one of the best coaches out there. If it weren’t for his ability to see something in me, I never would have been put on the ice during the game that changed my career.
“The way the team’s been playing, they could make it to the Stanley Cup. It’ll be great to send him out on that note.” I take another long sip of my beer, the taste suddenly sour.
“Yes, and that bonus in my paycheck will be nice, too. But they’ve been tossing some names around to replace him, have already talked to a few people, but no one seems to have the same passion.”
I smile, but it’s lacking, my focus still elsewhere. “Are you up for the position?”
He shakes his head. “I’m not interested. But your name’s come up on more than one occasion.”
I sit back, allowing that to sink in for a minute. “Huh.”
“I offered to talk to you, feel you out. I know you’re just getting back into the game after being gone for a few years, but you know your stuff. It’s a fantastic opportunity, one that may not come around again.”
“I don’t know. I already hate being gone from my girls as much as I am.”
“That’s understandable. I hate being gone from Aiden, and I’m just one of the assistant coaches. But the love you have for the game… I think you owe it to yourself to at least listen to what they have to say. Can I tell them you’ll do that? And when they offer you a position, I’d be grateful if you’d consider keeping me on as an assistant coach.”
I’d be lying if I said the idea of coaching for the pros didn’t attract me, especially as head coach. Coach Griffin had offered me a position as assistant coach several times in the past, but I always turned him down, making my girls a priority. And they’re still my priority. But I’ve finally found a balance between being a good father and being a great coach. This can be a career-changing opportunity for me, one I’d be crazy not to consider.
“There’s no guarantee they’ll offer me the job or that I’ll take it, but I’ll at least hear them out.”
“Great.” Parker faces forward as the bartender drops off a few plates filled with finger foods. “And again, I’m sorry for bringing up Carla and Chase. I probably just misheard something Marisa said. You know how women can be with their gossip.”
“Yeah.” I’d love to believe it’s only a misunderstanding, but I know Carla. Anything’s possible.
Chapter Twenty-Five
BROOKLYN
A tapping rips through my living room and I fling my eyes open, staring at the home screen of It’s a Wonderful Life on my television. An empty container of Ben & Jerry’s sits on the coffee table, physical evidence of my evening of self-loathing and doubt. Exhaustion settling in my bones, my eyes start to close when I hear the tapping again. It finally sinks in it’s coming from my front door. Although the last thing I want is to talk to anyone, I manage to pull myself from the couch and shuffle to the foyer, thinking perhaps it’s Molly here to apologize.
I open the door and stare into apologetic blue eyes…but they don’t belong to my best friend.
“Hey,” Wes says in a timid voice. “I tried calling, but you weren’t answering your phone.”
“I fell asleep on the couch.”
“I figured. I just… I wanted to talk to you about what I heard happened today.”
I exhale, hanging my head, then step back, allowing him into my home. He walks to the living area, then hesitates. When I lower myself onto the couch, he does the same. His eyes float to the television, a smile crossing his expression.
“It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “It seemed like the right thing after today.”
He draws in a deep breath as he runs his hands down his jeans. It takes me a minute to realize he’s not in a suit. I’ve known Wes for almost a year and have rarely seen him in anything other than a suit. I have