Page 73 of Released from the Sin Bin

Chapter 17

Willa

“I’m sorry, Coach. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” I stutter, trying to apologize. “I get excited, but I wasn’t trying to step on your toes.”

I completely took over coaching Carter. Coach Renan stood back and watched me make a complete fool of myself.

“What’s your plan?” He points to my boot clad foot. “How long do you have until you can play again?”

“It’s still on the mend,” I admit, holding back the tears I feel coming out.

I came to the rink as soon as I left the doctor. Four more weeks of physical therapy and more tests. Wear the boot to walk around campus for four more weeks, he suggested, with no promise of a return to hockey.

“I don’t know if or when I can play again.” This time, I can’t stop the tears from running down my cheeks. Looking away, I quickly wipe them from my face.

“Have you ever thought about coaching?” His question takes me by surprise.

I check his face to make sure he’s not joking.

“No. I mean, maybe after retirement,” I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.

I never actually thought about it. The goal was always to play hockey. There’s nothing after that.

“Or after an injury.” He looks down at my boot again. “How about this?” He rubs his hands together. “We need a new assistant defensive and skills coach. While you're healing, help us out. And… I can work something out with the board about your scholarship.”

My mouth drops, but no words escape. “How did you—?”

“Don’t worry about that,” he says, holding out his hand, waiting for me to shake it in agreement.

I haven’t told anyone, but if I don’t play this semester, I lose the scholarship I have. I’ll have to pay back this semester and maybe more. It’s under review, and I have no idea how he knows. My dad is fighting it, otherwise they would have already taken it away.

They keep telling me not to worry about it, and that they’ll figure it out after I graduate. But I know my parents can’t afford it. They’ve already unwillingly put in so much money for my hockey pro dreams, and the deal was to stay and get a good education.

“If I can’t do anything about that, then you’ll get paid like the rest of the coaching staff to cover some of that tuition,” he adds, looking as upset about it as I feel. “I know it’s not cheap.”

The more he says, the more I realize how much I need to do it.

“You’d be helping me out, too.” He lets out a sigh.

“Are you sure about this, sir? Like really sure? I’ve never been a coach before.” I don’t see how I could be more qualified than whatever candidate they have lined up.

“I’ve seen better coaching in the last twenty minutes than I’ve seen in half the guys I work with.” He laughs. “The board wants me to hire someone they picked, because we ran out of candidates. Don’t get me started on that. This will be my compromise with them.” He holds out his hand to shake mine in agreement.

I stare at his open palm. Too nervous to move, because I know my answer, but can I do it?

“This offer won’t last long, Tomlin.” He warns me to not make him wait.

“Ok.” I quickly grab his hand in a rough shake. “Yes, I accept.”

“Great. You start tomorrow and we’ll get you something to stand on.” He drops his hand but stops from leaving and slowly turns back. “Is there anything going on between you and Carter I should know about?”

“No,” I answer quickly and shake my head. “We’re just friends.”

“Good.” He nods and heads out toward the exit just as Carter comes out dressed in his street clothes with his hair still wet.

“Ready?” He looks back at the coach nervously.

“Great news,” I screech excitedly. “I’m going to be your new coach!”

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