Page 78 of Puck Right Off

Coach snorts. “And what happened? Did he leave you because of your holier-than-thou attitude?”

She gasps, her head snapping back like he slapped her. “How dare you?” Her entire body vibrates with anger as she stalks closer to him. “That’s not what happened, you arrogant prick. I don’t owe you an explanation. It’s my personal life and none of your business.”

“You brought it up.” Coach shrugs his shoulders, in control again now that he’s ruffled her feathers. “Since we’re at an impasse, I have an idea. Why don’t I schedule a meeting with your department chair? Let him review your syllabus, and we will state our case, then see what he thinks.”

She huffs out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine.Ifhe finds the material too difficult, and I highly doubt he will, I’ll be willing to change it. Otherwise, it will remain the same and be Jasper’s problem. Andyours.” She turns slightly, an arrogant smile on her profile.

Coach smirks at her, rocking on his heels. “You seem confident, Professor Kennedy. I can’t wait until you have to ‘dumb down’ your syllabus and expectations. By the way, how are the other students doing?”

Her hands shake as she seethes. “We’ll discuss this in Dr. Jacob’s office.” She whirls around, noticing me for the first time. Her brows furrow as her hazel eyes lock on me. “Sorry if I delayed your meeting with him. Hopefully, he doesn’t waste your time like he did mine.” She shoots Coach a scathing look over her shoulder before slipping past me, her heels echoing as she stomps down the hallway.

I slowly turn to Coach, swallowing hard. I feel bad for Jasper, but I’m also concerned about Coach’s mood. “Wow. That was… surprising.”

Coach shakes his head, running a hand through his dark brown messy hair. “Sorry you had to hear that. I didn’t mean to allow her to delay our meeting.” He takes a few breaths in and out, pacing behind his desk. The young, attractive professor clearly rattled him.

Leaning forward, I examine him more closely. The tension between them wasn’t strictly professional. It was filled with sexual tension that even I could feel in the brief time they argued.

Blowing out a breath, he nods toward his chair. He gives me a distracted smile and plops into the chair behind his desk. “Enough of that.” Waving a dismissive hand, he says, “What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to discuss hiring Jordyn to help you get organized.”

He nods. “I’m listening.”

I launch into the spiel I rehearsed for the past twelve hours, reviewing all her positive traits and organizational skills. When I pause to take a breath, a wide smile is on Coach’s face as he leans back in his chair. “You really love this girl, don’t you?”

Blinking a few times, I open my mouth and then close it, unsure what to say. I’m fucking head over heels in love withher, but I fear telling him that may ruin her chance of working for him.

“It’s okay, Tristan. I don’t need you to answer. I can tell you are.” He steeples his fingers beneath his chin, analyzing me. “She sounds incredible. And the way you praised her skills, I’m almost convinced I should offer her the job right now. However, I’d like to meet her first.” He holds up his hand when I open my mouth. “Just to have a conversation with her. If I hire her but don’t ‘interview’ her, people will go nuts around here.”

I blow out a breath, my muscles still tense. “Does she stand a chance? I mean, I know you haven’t talked to her, but?—”

“Tristan, please, stop stressing. The way you sang her praises… Well, she must be amazing for you to go to these lengths. I’ve never seen you do that for anyone except Alex when I nearly benched him for his temper. I will ‘interview’ Jordyn only as a formality so no one accuses me of being unfair.” He gives me a wink, and I relax. “Give me her phone number, and I’ll call her now and schedule a meeting.”

I rattle off her number, hope filling my chest as he grabs his phone and calls her. From the brief conversation between them and the resulting look on his face, I feel confident he’ll be impressed with her.

When he hangs up, he says, “I’ll be meeting with your girlfriend. Anything else I can do for you?”

My smile is wide. “Nope. I’m good.” Getting to my feet, I give him a smile before dashing out of his office, feeling hopeful.

CHAPTER 49

Jordyn

Chelsea grips my hand, her body vibrating with excitement as we sit in the seats reserved for family and friends of the players, courtesy of Tristan and Alex. My mom is on the other side of me, laughter in her eyes as they meet mine.

“I’m so excited. I can’t wait until Alex comes out and stretches.” She claps her hands, her eyes moving to the ice as the players skate onto it, warming up before the game.

“We would never have guessed,” I respond dryly.

There’s a bang on the glass in front of me. I jump, my hand on my heart, but the fear changes to excitement when I see Tristan’s smiling face. “Excuse me, ladies.” I jump to my feet, moving toward him. Not only am I wearing his jersey, but I also have the reindeer socks pulled up over my leggings. His eyes drink me in as I saunter to the glass, a flirty smile on my face. “Hey, captain.”

“Hey, captain, my ass. Go over to that door. I need to kiss you before I fucking lose my mind.”

I giggle and wink at him. “Bossy, aren’t you?”

“Jordyn. Do not make me come and get you.”

I grin, not at all scared of the punishments he dishes out. But when I see Alex skate up behind him, I agree, waving to the goalie. “Alright, captain. But only cause Alex wants to see Chelsea.”

---