Page 74 of Redeeming Heart

Aunt Maggie’s fling was the coach of the Gladiator Ice hockey team.

Brandon came over when he noticed me sitting on the bench with sweat trickling down my forehead. He picked up my sweat towel and handed it over to me.

“You can seriously poke someone’s eye out with those muscles of yours,” I mumbled when I noticed he was wearing a tank top again. Underneath all that gear and his uniform one could barely make out his shape and when you see him dressed in a tank top, it's hard to imagine all of the muscle covered underneath all of that.

He chuckled and sat down beside me. “Took quite a few years to get them and showing them off has always been the idea.”

I stifled a chuckle by washing it down with water and watching Kevin going over to Aunt Maggie.

“Your coach has a thing for my aunt,” I noted watching them converse.

I shook my head at Aunt Maggie’s flushed face when he said something to her that made her blush.

I frowned when I suddenly realized something. Their coach doesn't own a gym-- not that I heard of so it must only mean one thing.

“The owner of the gym. He is your team's sponsor?” I asked.

Brandon nodded. “It’s Coach Kevin’s father, Etienne who owns the gym. “He explained.

That’s convenient.

“I heard from Clarissa that your team got kicked off the varsity field.” My shoulders when slumping at Brandon’s remark.

“Yeah…because I just had to be stubborn and it cost us.”

My stubbornness could cost as the season and I couldn’t forgive myself if it turned out to be true.

“You did the right thing to get noticed and make a point, Adams. People in New Orleans are still talking about it.” He showed me an article on his phone and I almost couldn’t believe it. “I believe the only reason why the varsity kicked you out is that it's obvious that you outshined the boy's team.”

I wish it was true, but there was so much more to it.

“I need to find a home for my team where we can work out, get focused, and feel at peace because it’s our turf.” I haven’t felt this dispirited in a long time about something I care so much about. In the beginning, I only joined the team to prove a point to my father, but now, I wanted to do it for myself and my team.

“I know of someone who will be interested in giving the legendary Sasha-lee Adams a chance.” I raised my head when I realized it wasn’t Brandon who spoke, but it was his coach.

He was holding a business card out to me. “She was a teammate of your mother years ago and has a hockey field available. She also has a bunch of sponsors that can help your team out.” He explained and I was confused as Aunt Maggie.

“How do you two know each other?” Aunt Maggie asked, looking from the coach to me.

“His Brandon’s coach,” I answered.

“Everyone knows who she is. When I met the first time, I wasn’t completely sure, but then you spoke of her and her mother the other day and it all made sense.” Kevin explained.

“You and your team deserve a fair chance. Somebody who understands what you are going through and I am sure Isabelle Sanders will.”

I felt like closing my eyes and shaking my head at how insane this was.

Isabelle Sanders.

She also used to be my mother’s best friend. My mom showed me pictures of them when they were teenagers and young adults. I knew exactly who she was. Isabelle was one of the most memorable female hockey players of all time. She took over when my mother retired and she took her team to the Olympics games four times.

How I had not thought of her had me even baffled.

She lived outside the city, owning one of the biggest hockey fields in New Orleans and coaching no team at this stage.

“Thank you, I will call her.” She can save my team’s chances if she is willing to. I wasn’t sure if she was going to be thrilled, but I had to try.

He nodded at me and then called Brandon to join his team for practice, who jokingly complained that he was slacking.

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