Page 50 of My Pucked Up Enemy

Connor steps up next and talks about mentorship, how he wishes he had a place like this growing up—somewhere safe to be a kid, to dream, to play without fear. He gets a little choked up, but pushes through, earning a wave of applause. "This place," he says, "is the kind of start that changes everything."

Then James slides in, grinning like a man with no plan. "Alright, confession time," he says, grabbing the mic. "Parker over there once tried to get out of a team Halloween party because he was 'allergic to latex'...and by latex, he meant balloons. True story."

Parker covers his face in mock embarrassment while the kids snort with laughter.

"Anyway," James continues, turning slightly serious, "places like this matter. You don’t always get to choose the hand you’re dealt, but places like this? They help you learn how to play it like a pro."

The kids cheer. The adults do too. And for just a moment, everyone feels like they’re on the same team.

Derek returns to the microphone, his tone warm but commanding. "And now, I’d like to introduce someone who’s become a major asset to our team. She’s the person who makes sure our guys are mentally tougher than they look and emotionally sharper than their slap shots. Please welcome, Dr. Nina Erwin."

Then it’s Nina’s turn.

She walks up to the mic, and the room quiets. Her voice is steady, calm, and commanding without being loud.

“Mindset is everything,” she starts. “It’s not about being the fastest or the strongest. It’s about being the most focused. The most adaptable. The most determined.”

She glances at the Acers players in the front. Her eyes skim over me, just for a second.

“I’ve worked with a lot of athletes. Champions. But do you know what sets them apart? It’s not talent. It’s belief. Belief that they can rise after every fall. That they can outwork doubt, outlast pressure, and still show up with heart.”

A few parents nod. One kid claps. She smiles.

“You don’t have to be a professional athlete to think like one. You just have to decide that nothing is going to break you.”

She steps back from the mic. Thunderous applause.

I don’t clap right away. Because I’m too damn busy staring.

That woman is not just the team therapist.

That’s someone I want in my corner...and in my bed.

Nina steps down and the kids swarm her. She laughs, crouching to take a photo with two of them. She’s glowing, but it’s not the dress or the lighting.

It’s her.

I walk over, grab a drink off the table, and hand it to her when she finally breaks away from the crowd.

“You crushed that,” I say.

“Thanks.” She pushes her hair off her shoulders. “It was either that or black out and let James take over.”

“Would’ve been chaos. Probably a TikTok trend by now.”

She smiles. “I’m glad it wasn’t.”

As we approach our table, James nudges Ethan. “She’s good. Still wouldn’t want to do yoga with her. Feels like she’d make you cry with one stretch.”

Ethan snorts. “Only stretch he’s cried from was slipping in the locker room that one time.”

Nina smirks. “Sounds like you boys need tougher cores.”

James groans. “Great. Now I’ve got core trauma.”

I interject. "Who knew you could make mindfulness sound like a war speech?”

She raises a brow. “Maybe you should try listening next time you’re melting down in the crease.”

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