Page 3 of Charming Crosschecks

“They are proud men and…”

“And might not take it well being ordered around by a woman?”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” the coach chuckled. “I don’t have the slightest problem with you being a woman – in fact – I prefer it.”

Ohhhhboy, she thought wildly, swallowing back a nervous giggle. When she panicked, she giggled. It was a horrible trait to have and led to some uncomfortable moments.

Her first date… giggle.

Valedictorian speech… giggle.

Her grandmother’s funeral… giggle.

When she panicked, she giggled and somehow managed to hold it back as he continued speaking.

“I think the guys will take it better coming from a woman and won’t feel like they have to be macho about things. If you can reach them, come at them like you are a kid sister, then I think they will take it easier that they need some work. I know in my day before I blew out a disc, I always took things easier from a female than a man. I know that doesn’t make sense, but…”

“No, it makes perfect sense,” she admitted quietly, setting down her purse. “Men are genetically prone to be the dominant in the group, beating on their chests, and I’m not a threat.”

“Exactly,” he smiled and then hesitated, his smile fading a moment later. “Unless they aren’t fit to skate – then you have every right to bench them and my full support in doing so. If someone isn’t ready to give 100 percent on the ice, it’s my job to protect the team and their careers as long as possible.”

“I understand.”

“Good,” he smiled, and she wondered if that covered up something else. No one was this nice in this type of career. Maybe he was being nice to her but a bully to get his way? “Let’s get out there, keep it silent for a little while longer, and then I’ll introduce you to the team.Does that sound good?”

“Yes.”

“Great – and don’t worry,” he grinned. “They’ll love you, Molly. You are here to make them superstars on the ice.”

She smiled, holding back a panicked giggle, and simply gave him two thumbs up. He chuckled, did the same awkwardly, and left her office.

“Ten minutes,” he said in parting – and Molly sagged into her chair, trying to compose herself. She needed to be brave and strong, and to have the backbone needed to explain to these grown men that she was there to help and not a threat. And it was usually the biggest ego that had to be shown-up first. According to the coach, that was the same one who needed help – the goalie.

Greaaaaat, she mused. Maybe I should just focus on one of the others, taking them under my wing and showing them what-for… so they can realize I’m not a threat.

Yup, she was going to make it her personal agenda to show the big guy how to strengthen his core and maybe she could give the nutritionist a few tips to adjust their caloric intake along with vitamins to build muscle. If he could adjust his diet, he would have rock-hard abs within a few weeks under her tutelage, along with a core that would hold any spine tautly.

Yep, the blond hulk on the ice was going to be her key to reaching the goalie.

“I can do this,” she repeated as her mantra, making her way to the arena with her notepad under her arm.

Three hours later – her mantra was blown to smithereens.

Blondie, Thor, Thierry, Gerry… whatever you wanted to call him – that man had a temper and an ego big enough to fill the arena. What should have been a calm introduction completely fell apart. Obliterated, annihilated, and exploded into a complete mess of a moment.

“Fellas, I’d like you to meet Molly Haines, a doctor of physiotherapy. Molly, you have the floor and welcome aboard the Coyotes team. We’re happy to have you.”

A small laugh escaped her as she stepped forward and carefully covered it by clearing her throat and zeroing in on an object. That is what her teachers and counselors told her over the years to keep her anxiety and panic to a small simmer so she didn’t start cackling like the Joker about to blow up Gotham. She focused on her goal, the handsome blond man and smiled, almost sighing as there was a sense of relief that seemed to wash over her as his curious green eyes met hers.

“Hi guys,” she began quietly. “Just think of me as a friend, your little sister, an annoying puppy version of a coyote,” she started and heard a few encouraging laughs as she continued. “I’m here to help you strengthen a few areas to help you play better, move faster, and prevent injury. For some of you, it might be as easy as kinesiology and a little tape, and some it might be stretching differently, while for others, it will be strengthening your core and trimming up your waistlines…”

And one man poked Gerry in the waist in front of her before swiping his hand up to thump him in the nose. Boucher. The quiet one. That was surprising because she expected it to be Couer or Batiste who opened their mouths – but more shocking than that was the fact that Gerry immediately shoved the man aside, and her tongue ran away from her like a scalded dog.

“Gerry, it’s just a little bit of weight. Strength training, diet, and exercise will help you tone those abs right up and…” her words failed her as she heard laughter around her, realizing what she’d said aloud.

“Whoa boy…” Giroux groaned as Gerry straightened up, towering over her like some sort of blond-haired Godzilla. For a second, she expected him to lean down and bite her head right off her shoulders – only to see a hidden rage and hurt within those big green eyes as he glared at her before walking off, nearly stepping on Coeur, who was standing behind him looking a little flabbergasted.

“Watch where you’re going,Button Buster! That’s my freakin’ foot—” Coeur yelped angrily. Lafreniere and Boucher were grinning, looking at her almost like‘You did this – welcome aboard!’while Batiste and Giroux looked beyond panicked and worried.

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