Page 5 of Puck I Did It Again

"Goodnight, Coach." They both wave, getting into their vehicles.

I wait until I can't see their taillights as they drive down the road before I pull out my phone and search for the email with a map of the team housing. The team's owners owns the property, with two—to three-bedroom houses available for players, coaches, and staff.

I scan the document only to find that my new neighbors in the three surrounding houses are none other than Maximus, King, and Monk.

Fate must really hate me.

three

Wynn

Avoiding my three newneighbors this morning was easier than expected. It might have helped that I left my house at five thirty a.m. Not because I'm an early bird. It was because I spent most of the night having extremely naughty dreams about being with King, Monk, and Maximus, either all together or separately.

It didn't help that I slept with nothing on except Monk's sweatshirt. Being surrounded by his scent wreaked havoc on my senses, so much that I almost didn't want to wash his scent off my body before going to work today.

Knowing I could spend my first official day on the job smelling like one of my players, I reluctantly showered, erasing all traces of him off my body. Which I am now thankful for as I officially introduce myself to the players—finally figuring out the names of Maggie's admirers.

"Okay, now that introductions are over, " I tell the team. "I want you to show me what you got. Today's practice will be a full-on scrimmage, so I don't want anyone to hold back." Masculine grumbles fill the air. I need to remind them who's in charge, adding, "None of your starting positions are guaranteed. Just because your former coach thought you were good enough to start doesn't mean I feel the same way. So either you prove yourself on the ice, or you can sit your ass on the bench and cry about your new female coach."

Most of the players nod their approval of my little speech, but one gives me a look that causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up and a chill to run down my spine. By the extra padding he's wearing, it's easy to place him as Derek Hightower, the starting goalie who was only recently traded to the team on an emergency deal when the normal goalie retired early from too many concussions—wanting to put his family and his health first before his hockey career.

"Do you have something to say, Hightower?" I cross my arms over my chest and wait for his reply.

"Nothing you and your puppets would want to hear." He skates past me with a smirk on his way to the net.

Puppets?

I'm still trying to figure out what he's talking about when Maximus's voice cuts through my thoughts. "What a prick." I turn to find Maximus, King, and Monk all standing behind me like my own personal bodyguards.

"It's not your job to protect me from the jerk-offs on the team. Now get on the ice before I cut you from the team." I huff, blowing my whistle to start the scrimmage. Not that I have the power to cut anyone from the team yet—but it's nice to, at least, put the fear of God in them.

Which only lasts for about fifteen minutes, as King, Maximus, and Monk engage in a fistfight with their own goalie.

"Enough!" I shout, gaining their attention. "If you're going to act like children, I'll bench the whole lot of you." I wave my hands, emphasizing the seriousness of my words.

"But…" King begins to say, only to have Maximus stop him with a hard jab of his elbow into his stomach, causing him to stop mid-sentence.

"Got it, Coach." Maximus nods, acting more professionally than I've seen him in the twenty-four hours I've known him. It's going to take some time to get used to him, not trying to seduce me with his words and sexy looks.

"Good. Now, get back to the scrimmage."

The rest of the practice went smoothly. The players were way more accepting of my status as head coach than I would have guessed—all except Hightower. He sticks out like a sore thumb. Why Don signed him is beyond me—even if he was desperate. Anyone can see that Hightower doesn't play nice with others.

I blow my whistle, signaling the end of the scrimmage, "Good practice, everyone." I wait for the players to skate over to me before I finish talking. "We have a home game in three days. We need to stay focused. Surprisingly, the team is only four games out of first place, even with that little losing streak after Coach Cooper left to coach the Minnesota Norse." The players grumble at the reminder of both the losing streak and the loss of their former head coach. "Enough, wallowing in self-pity—I was hired to lead you to a championship, and that's what I plan to do." The grumbles became cheers, giving me hope that this team would someday fully accept me as their coach. "Okay, now hit the showers."

One by one, the players skate by me on their way to the locker room, either saying a kind word or nodding their acceptance, making me want to jump for joy at the speed at which they accepted me—all but Hightower.

I inwardly cringe when he slows and stops before me, "So, will our new coach join us in the shower? Or is that pleasure only reserved for your puppets?" The hate dripping off his tone puts me on edge.

There's something not right about this guy. I should release him from the team—but on what grounds? He sexually harassed me? I'm not sure that argument would hold water since Maximus, King, and Monk have all been doing the same. The only difference is I'm not creeped out by them like I am with Hightower. I'd welcome a shower with the three of them.

Before I can respond to his crude remarks, my self-proclaimed bodyguards step in again, "Why don't you fuck off Hightower." King shoves Hightower's shoulder, causing him to lose his balance and almost fall to the ice.

"Did you see that? One of your little lover boys attacked me. I'm going to sue." He says as he regains his footing. "Monk and Maximus. You saw it." He turns his attention to them.

"I didn't see anything, did you, Maximus?" Monk smirks.

"Nope, I sure didn't see anything." Maximus replies, "But what I did see is a bully who needs to keep his mouth shut and respect his coach if he wants to continue playing on this team. As team captain, I can have your ass off this team in a heartbeat. Got it?"

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