Page 20 of Huge Pucking Play

It's different being on this side of things. No more ice time for me, but damn I’m enjoying molding these guys into a cohesive unit.

I grab my bag, heading for the showers. The hot water soothes my aching muscles—turns out coaching is its own workout.

As I towel off, I catch my reflection. Still built like the mountain that earned me my nickname, but the salt-and-pepper hair is new and I’m still getting used to it. I run a hand through it, wondering if I should buzz it off.

Nah. The ladies seem to dig the silver fox look.

I dress quickly in slacks and a button-down.

I'm zipping up my bag when I notice Evan Daniels is still here, methodically packing his goalie gear. The locker room's cleared out, just us left.

"Hey, Daniels. Solid saves today," I call out.

Evan looks up, grinning. "Thanks, Coach. It was a good practice today."

I lean against a locker. "I’d love to talk a little strategy with you. I've got some ideas for improving our penalty kill."

"I'm all ears," Evan says, turning to face me.

We dive into hockey talk, dissecting plays and discussing improvements. It's easy, comfortable. Evan's sharp, he’s one of our older players and his insights are valuable.

After a while, the conversation shifts.

“I’m getting married soon and the guys are having a bachelor party for me. You’re welcome to join if you’re into that kind of thing.”

“Wow, man, thanks for the invite. Sounds like fun.”

“It won’t be a total blowout like my fiancé, Sophie, had in Vegas, but I’m sure we’ll manage to get into some trouble.”

My heart skips a beat. Vegas. Sophie. Cyn. I force a casual nod. "When was your fiancé in Vegas?"

"A couple weekends ago. She’s always wanted to have her bachelorette party in Vegas. She and Cyn went all out."

I nearly blurt out, "I know all about it” but I catch myself just in time. Instead, I ask, "Cyn? As in one of the Blades’ PTs?"

Evan nods. "Yeah, Cyn and Sophie are best friends. They're...quite the pair."

"Oh?" I prod, aiming for nonchalance and worrying that I’m failing. "How so?"

Evan chuckles. "Cyn's a bit much, you know? All sass and energy. But she's good people."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sassy, huh? How so?"

Evan leans back against his locker, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Man, where do I even start? Cyn's got an opinion on everything, and she's not afraid to share it. Loudly."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "When Sophie and I first started dating, Cyn made it very clear she thought we were a mismatch. She cornered me at a team party and gave me a whole speech about how I was too grumpy and set in my ways for someone as sweet as Sophie."

I can't help but laugh. "Sounds like she doesn't pull any punches."

"Not a single one," Evan agrees. "She told me, and I quote, 'Listen, Ice Man, Sophie's my best friend, and if you break her heart, I'll make sure your next physical therapy session involves a lot of unnecessary pain.' And then she just walked away, leaving me standing there with my jaw on the floor."

I whistle low. "Damn. That's a good friend."

Evan nods, his expression softening. "Yeah, she is. Don't get me wrong, Cyn's intense, but she's fiercely loyal. Once she saw how happy Sophie and I were together, she became our biggest cheerleader."

He pauses, a mischievous glint in his eye. "And then there was another time she got wind that I was hesitant about Sophie and I moving in together. I was being stubborn, set in my bachelor ways." Evan shakes his head, chuckling. "Cyn didn't hold back. She said, 'Listen here, you overgrown popsicle. Sophie's the best thing that's ever happened to you, and if you're too thick-skulled to see that, maybe I should check you for a concussion.'"

I can't help but laugh. "She actually called you an overgrown popsicle?"

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