Page 23 of King

He nods and asks, “Can you do the other one?”

“Next time you put your skates on, buddy, you need to learn to tighten them from the bottom up.” I crane my neck to see King standing there by the gate. “Let me show you.”

King steps out onto the ice, carefully moving to the little boy, and he squats beside me. Max pivots slightly and almost loses his balance but King’s big hands grab his ankles to steady him. “You good?”

The little boy nods with a grin.

“This is how you do it.” King says, and then I watch as he instructs Max how to pull the dual laces tight, starting at the toe and working upward. “It takes a while, but it’s important that your skates fit well, or else your skating won’t be as solid. All good now.”

Max starts to turn away and I tap him on the leg. “Wait a minute. What do you say?”

“Thank you?” He asks it like a question, face screwed up in thought.

“Thank you, Coach King,” I say with a smile. “He’s going to help coach our team this year.”

“Thank you, Coach King,” Max says and then skates off, and noticeably, he looks a little steadier.

King and I rise together but whereas he’s suave and as at home on the ice as he is on the ground, I don’t get out to skate much these days. My foot slips out from under me, but King is quick on the draw, taking my upper arm and steadying me. My hand flails but lands on his abdomen until I feel my body regain balance.

“Sorry,” I say, instantly pulling my hand back and grabbing the rail. “Not used to walking on ice in shoes.”

“Maybe wear your skates to practice,” he suggests, taking my elbow and helping me through the gates. “I heard that guy last weekend refer to you as a figure skater.”

“Hackfigure skater is what he said,” I say with a laugh once I’m on firm ground and have my complete balance. “And I brought them… I just wasn’t sure if I should wear them or coach from the sidelines with the expert here.”

Grinning, King leans on the rail. “Were you a hack figure skater?”

“I don’t think so. I tried out for the Olympics when I was sixteen but didn’t make it.”

His eyes flare with surprise and admiration. “Total hack.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “I’m proud of my accomplishments. Not that it’s an excuse, but I was recovering from an injury when the tryouts were held and I just didn’t have it. Still, it was an honor to be invited.”

“I’ll say.” He offers a low whistle of appreciation. “That’s incredible.”

The compliment flusters me because it’s been a long time since someone paid me a genuine one. I glance out at the ice, do a quick count and note that all our players are here. “Ready to get these kids learning?”

“I’m ready.”

“Good, because I’m pretty much going to let you do all the talking and I’ll just nod and act as if I know what you’re talking about.”

King laughs from deep in his belly, eyes twinkling. I’m entranced by the fact his sense of humor comes easily and his smile makes his face even more beautiful. “I’ve got it covered,” he says with a wink.

“Oh, thank goodness. I was starting to panic.”

King chuckles. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this. It’s all about basics.”

“First things first,” I say, jerking my head toward the bleachers where the parents have taken seats to watch the practice. “Let’s do a little introduction.”

“Let’s,” King says and then motions for me to precede him, his hand briefly touching my lower back as I move past. It shoots a shiver up my spine, but I try to ignore it.

“Hello,” I say when I’m before the parents. “As you know, I’m Willa Montreaux, and I’ll be coaching the Ice Pups this season. As you also know, I don’t understand hockey at all, but I’ve been doing research and studying, not sure if that will give me much of a leg up. My background is as a figure skater, so I know how to teach the basics of movement on the ice. Luckily, an angel dropped into our laps at our first game—” I motion to King beside me. “I’m sure most of you recognize Jack Kingston from the Pittsburgh Titans. He saw my struggles last weekend and has graciously volunteered to help us out.”

A rousing cheer goes up from the parents, an indication that no one had any confidence in my skills, and that’s fair. I didn’t have any confidence either.

A hand comes down on my shoulder… King’s. Large, warm and reassuring. “Coach Willa isn’t giving herself enough credit. It doesn’t take much hockey knowledge at this age.” His gaze cuts over to Theo’s mom but she seems oblivious as to what herhusband did at the game. “What you all need to remember is that they are out here to learn basic skills and it is not our goal to win games. If any of you are looking for that, this isn’t the league for you.” King pauses, looks around at the parents, but they all smile and nod their understanding. “Okay, with that said… let’s get this practice underway.”

More clapping and I turn for the boards, speaking from the side of my mouth at King as we approach. “I think I’m going to stay off the ice so you’re not distracted peeling me off it.”

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