Page 65 of Until He Scores

They settled at center ice, the music stopped. The ref stepped between the players with the puck. The cheers continued to inundate the ice. With the drop of the puck, the game was back on until the final buzzer sounded, and the match was over. The girls rushed out onto the ice to congratulate their teammates. I glanced up in the stands and found Thierry right there, front and center banging the heck out of the plexiglass with the others.

Holy shit. We were going to the Olympics.

Later that night, after all the parties and celebrations, I stepped out of the bathroom of our hotel suite to find Thierry In bed, naked, waiting for me. The sight of him still got my blood pumping. He was gorgeous. Fit. It took a few years after his last surgery with Dr. Jay, but Thierry got back on the ice. He didn’t move like he used to, but watching him even when he led his team’s practice, made me smile.

“Hey, good looking,” I said. “You sure you’re in the right room? My husband should be here soon. Wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”

He smirked. “Your husband is a lucky man.”

“You have no idea how lucky I am,” I said, crossing to him.

“Why don’t you come show me.” Thierry grinned. “Olympic Hockey Coach.”

Fuck that sounded good too.

The next morning, we went to breakfast with the team. Standing there with them, I got to thinking about my life and Thierry’s life. We started out where they had. Grew up and unfortunately our paths diverted before coming back together. Had I never returned home, I’d have never been this proud or this lucky.

“Five years ago,” I said, “when I got the call asking if I’d come for an interview for the position, I almost turned it down. I loved the team I worked for. I loved watching all of you grow into amazing players. So, it took a little convincing from Thierry before I packed a bag, boarded that plane and took a chance. Today, standing here with you, I couldn’t be more fulfilled. More honored, and more appreciative of the opportunity I’ve been given. For the next three months we’re going to work our butts off. We’ll be on the World’s stage ladies. We have to bring our A games and show everyone what we’re made of. I promise, if you stick with me, I’ll make you champions.”

That was the truth.

Simply put, once I learned to block out the noise of the world, I found myself. Over the years, I’d put the lessons I learned along the way into their practices. This right here, with these people, and this team proved I’d always been worthy. I’d always been meant for something more. All I needed was a guiding hand and encouragement. I almost lost that guidance when I couldn’t see past myself and my loathing.

As I sat there, holding Thierry’s hand, listening to the girls give their thanks for the season and for their place on the team, I felt like I was a kid again, winning our first tournament. The only thing missing was a blanket fort and scary movies.

Everything else had been by my side, forever.

THE END

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