Page 66 of Coach's Temptation

I eye the mess of half-empty coffee cups and a notebook covered in chaotic scribbles. “What in the hell are you girls doing?”

Sophia appears from the bathroom and slides in beside me. “I've told them. It's a terrible, terribleidea.”

Before I can demand specifics, Lucy slams the notebook shut and grins like she’s just secured world domination.

“I've been put in charge of activities in Vancouver. So, team bonding as per the orders of Sir Gregory and Chief Big Mike.” She leans in, voice brimming with mischief. “Baking. Icehawk themed cookies. We’re doing it.”

I freeze, my entire body recoiling in horror. “I leave you guys alone for one hour, and you decide to let grown men near an oven?!”

Mia smugly stirs her coffee. “Technically, babe,youand Lucy are supervising. Sophia and I aren't even gonna be there. So… it’s your funeral.”

“Oh, perfect.” I drop my head into my hands as Lucy cheerfully starts listing ingredients.

At least they've moved past dissecting my love life.

My mind drifts to Hunter this morning. After our shower together, his hands started shaking while making coffee. Gameday mode had clearly kicked in. Who knew the fearsome Coach Brody could be so adorably anxious about a road trip?

“We’ll need icing, sprinkles, those little silver balls—”

Sophia cuts across Lucy without looking up. “Just so you know… Blake’s going to eat all the batter.Soglad I’m skipping this trip.”

My stomach sinks.

“Oh, fuck.Connor is going to set something on fire.” I level a look at Sophia. “Did you check the team insurance, Soph?”

Mia hums into her mocha. “My money’s on Logan losing a finger.”

I groan, rubbing my temples as giggles bubble up in my throat. “Why are we like this?”

Lucy ignores us all and flips to another page of her notebook.

For a second, it’s just warmth. Laughter. The kind of chaotic, unhinged energy that makes me feel likethis—these girls, these friendships—are home.

I glance out Summit Café's window at the snow-dusted streets of Iron Ridge. Even with my parents' constant bickering and my grandmother's apartment falling apart, this town is everything to me.

The way the towering peaks of the mountains rise against the morning sky, the way everyone knows your coffee order, the game-day excitement in the air - it's embedded in my bones.

And now? With Hunter's heated looks across crowded rooms and secret rooftop moments under starlit skies… Iron Ridge feels different.

Fuller.

Like maybe I've found someone who sees this place the way I do - not as a stepping stone to somewhere bigger, but as home.

For a split second, I almost forget what’s waiting for me at lunchtime.

Then, I check my watch and sigh. “Alright, I love this absolute shitshow we’re planning, but I gotta go.”

Mia gasps, pressing a hand to her chest. “Leaving us? For what, exactly?”

“Checking on my apartment. Then lunch at my parents' house before the flight.”

Hunter’s strange expression last night when I mentioned not checking on my apartment has been gnawing at me. And then this morning over breakfast, he casually suggested Iprobablyshould stop by before leaving for Vancouver.

I like that he cares. And hate that he's right.

Sophia grimaces. “Oh, yikes. Good luck.”

Lucy clasps my hand dramatically. “Bless your soul.”

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