Page 31 of Your Pucking Mom

“How will I get around? I’ll need the schedule for work,” I asked, hoping I could arrange time off from the cafe in advance and still maintain my job while being available for Austin’s games.

“We will have you travel with the team on the jet, Ms. Hart. Upper management has already agreed that this is the best course of action for Austin since he’s young, and our captain has approved your travel as well.”

“Okay. Okay,” I repeated as I closed my eyes, wrapping my mind around this.

“Our captain, Cole, requested that you bring your mom to family day tomorrow morning so that the team can get to know her before we go to our first away game in a couple of weeks.”

I rose eagerly. “Yes,” I exclaimed, prompting both Coach and Austin to turn toward me.

“Sorry,” I added, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I mean, I can absolutely do that.”

With a day off from work, I welcomed the opportunity to get to know more of Austin’s teammates. Perhaps I could strike up friendships with some of the wives.

Austin slumped back onto the couch, letting out a groan. “Ugh, you’re my mom, and I don’t want you there interacting with the wives and girlfriends of the team.”

Austin’s tone was laced with irritation as he sank deeper into the couch cushions.

A pang of disappointment coursed through me at his dismissive attitude. “Come on, Austin,” I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the tension in the room. “It’s not like I’m going to be crashing your party. I’ll just be there to meet some of your teammates.”

He rolled his eyes, his frustration palpable. “Yeah, because having my mom chaperone me is every hockey player’s dream,” he retorted.

I let out a small laugh at his dramatics. “Hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll score some cool points for having a cool mom,” I teased, nudging him with my elbow.

Coach interjected with a calm but firm tone. “She’s coming, meeting the team,” he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. “You’ve proven to me and the rest of the team that you need help.”

I hated that his coach was right. It was preseason, and Austin was already in trouble. I tried everything to give him all that he needed, but there were times when I was working double shifts that I should have checked in more. I wished I could’ve given Austin two parents who could help guide him, but his biological father was never in the cards.

Austin groaned in protest, but Coach’s decision seemed final.

“I get it, Austin,” I said, trying to ease the tension. “But it’s not like I’ll hover over you the whole time during the away games. I’ll give you space to hang out with your teammates and just be there if you need anything.”

Austin grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, slowly resigning himself to the situation.

Turning to Coach, I offered a grateful smile. “Thanks, Coach. I appreciate you looking out for Austin and making sure he stays out of trouble.”

Coach nodded, his expression softening as he shook my hand. “I did it for the team,” he whispered so only I could hear. As our hands parted, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of apprehension mingled with gratitude.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Hart. Family day starts at eleven, right after practice.”

I nodded a few times as I ushered him to the door. “Thank you,” I repeated. “I know he wasn’t your first choice.”

When Austin was recruited, the Ravens’ coach was apprehensive about such a young player on the team with what was already in some news articles about him drinking and partying.

As I held the door open, Coach paused before leaving. “I think you’ll help us out. I know it’s a big ask for you.”

I shook my head, stopping him. “It’s no problem.”

Coach stopped as he almost got to the elevator bank and turned back around. I was giving him a courteous smile when the corners of his lips curled into a smile. “That shirt looks so familiar…”

I looked, and my cheeks flooded with immediate shame and embarrassment.

He gave me a last nod before pressing the button up to the elevator. I closed my eyes before shutting the door behind me. This wasn’t happening.

I rested my back against the door, then went back over to where Austin was passed out on the couch.

My sweet baby. I grabbed the nearest blanket and draped it over him before grabbing my keys to head to my car. As I drove home, thoughts of Ledger swirled in my mind. Despite the chaos of the evening, his presence lingered, leaving me longing.

Arriving home, I slipped out of my car and made my way to the front door. As I stepped inside, the silence of the house greeted me, amplifying the whirlwind of emotions within me.

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