Page 39 of Taking The Shot

“You’d be the first, sir,” Keith admitted emotionally. “I’m here – in any capacity you need. I’m a Wolverine for life if you take care of me like this – I will always have you on the ice.”

And Keith meant those words – unless he was about to get cut today, in front of his wife and team, or worse yet? What if Elizabeth couldn’t get the other set of convicted on his record dropped?

Keith shook his head, trying to rid himself of that constant fear. He swallowed against the knot of unease tightening in his throat as he approached Coach Starnes.

The man stood tall and firm beside Elizabeth, their presence a solid wall of authority and confidence—eerily reminiscent of their stance just days ago when everything in Keith’s world had flipped on its head.

But today felt different.

Lighter.

Hopeful, even.

“Boucher, I’ve got an idea, and I want you to take the lead on it,” Coach said, his tone measured but expectant, the way a man speaks when he already knows the answer he’s going to get.

Keith straightened slightly, instinct taking over. “What can I help you with, Coach?”

“I want you to run a class—something for the kids, teaching them hockey. It’ll be a great press event,” Coach explained. “With Elizabeth already getting one of the convictions dropped…”

“WHAT?”Keith blurted, his stomach flipping. He turned sharply to Elizabeth, searching her face for confirmation, for something solid to grab onto.

Elizabeth, ever the picture of unshakable confidence, merely arched a brow. “I’m good,” she said smoothly, her voice carrying an almost amused edge. “Don’t you ever forget it either—give me another week or two, and I’ll have the other one gone, too.”

Keith shook his head in disbelief. “You’re kidding me…”

“Nope,” she replied, flashing a grin that could probably cut through steel. “Now, I need to start showing you off as a family man.”

His mind was still reeling, trying to keep up. The weight on his chest, the uncertainty of his future, the fear of what all of this meant for his career—it had been suffocating. And now? It felt like someone had cracked a window, letting in fresh air.

“How old are your kids?” Coach asked, his tone casual, but there was something knowing in his eyes.

Keith let out a breath, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips despite himself. “Paige already wants to play hockey,” he admitted, shaking his head as if he still couldn’t believe it. “She’s eight. Kayla is three but will be four soon. She’s a bit young still, but maybe someday?”

“Perfect,” Coach said immediately. “We’ll make it seven and up then. Run them through a few drills, teach them how to skate, let them get familiar with the sticks. Jamie will take some video footage for the internet so we can?—”

“I want it to be a little league team, so they can compete,” Keith cut in, his voice quieter now but full of something he hadn’t expected—longing.

Coach and Elizabeth both turned to him, waiting.

“My daughter wants to play,” he continued, his chest tightening with an unfamiliar sense of pride. “And I’d love to host it. Make it real. Give them something to belong to.”

Coach’s eyes softened just a fraction before he nodded approvingly. “Perfect,” he agreed, gripping Keith’s hand in a firm shake. “We can even play with the name. Instead of the Wolverines, they can be the ‘Kits’ or something like that. Isn’t a kit a baby wolverine?”

Keith chuckled, warmth flooding his veins at the sheer possibility of it all. “Yes, sir.”

Coach clapped a hand on his shoulder, his expression pleased. “Perfect. See Jamie Salas, get a photo of you and your daughter—both in jerseys, holding a stick—and make the announcement. Keep the details vague for now; we’ll handle the paperwork. That’s the boring stuff we get paid for. You, my boy, get to be the pretty face of the ‘Quebec Kits’…”

Keith huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “Have you seen me?” He gestured to himself. “I’m nearly washed up in hockey years.”

Coach scoffed, waving him off. “Bahhh… you’re a whelp compared to me.” He gave Keith’s shoulder a firm pat, the touch grounding. “Now get in there. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Keith nodded, but as he turned to go, something settled deep in his chest.

For the first time in a long time, it wasn’t fear.

It was hope.

Now, if he could just smooth out whatever was broken between him and Constance, maybe they could eventually find their way. Perhaps he would make her dinner and set it up with a bunch of candles, almost like a date night or something? Maybe he should take her out on the town? His mind played through so many scenarios as he walked into the doors of the convention center, ready to see his new Wolverine family.

---