Page 35 of Reputation

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Casting her eyes to the ceiling, she mumbled, “I’m really trying here.A little help would be nice.”

As if the universe would concern itself with her.Sighing, her mouth twisted into a pout.Just what she needed—spending an entire afternoon stuck with him.

That evening, by the time Eavie packed up her things, the offices on the twelfth floor had grown quiet.She was still feeling a little annoyed at her assignment—not the Field of Dreams designation, butwhowas in her group.She knew it was petty, that she was acting childish, but it honestly felt like every effort she made to remain focused and professional had been disrupted.

Reaching down beside her desk for her bag, her hand wrapped around the strap when noise from the practice arena had her turning her head toward the windows.Standing, she peered down at the brightly lit rink, curiosity flitting through her.

Below were dozens of tiny figures clad in jerseys in a rainbow of colors, all printed with the Timbits Hockey logo across their chests.They wore little black helmets with matching body gear.A few of the older-looking groups carried sticks, while the small ones had empty hands, likely because they were just trying to master skating.

The practice rink was rented to various leagues and groups whenever the Royals weren’t using it.This was another charitable program the organization offered for youth groups.Adult leagues were charged a fee but could book it whenever it was available, which was most evenings.

Eavie smiled, watching the toddlers and young children learning to play hockey.Everywhere on the ice, bodies shuffled with stiff limbs around the rink.Every dozen seconds, one would fall, landing on their knees, bum or back.

She chuckled when one Timbit clad in a green sweater, who could be no older than three, caught their toe and went sprawling.Lying face down, a long red ponytail trailed out of the helmet, now covered in snow from the fall.She had just pushed herself up onto her knees when one coach skated over, kneeling beside her.

Eavie’s eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, almost pressing her face to the glass.

Was that…

Surprised, and even more intrigued, Eavie grabbed her purse and threw her trench coat on.Rushing out of her office, instead of turning left toward the elevators, she went right, following the darkened hallway.At the end, a steel door led to a staircase that opened onto the top level of the viewing platform which wrapped around the practice arena.

Slowly, she crept down the coated landing, stopping beside a pillar a few feet from the door.The spot was cast in shadow, allowing her to observe without being noticed.

Fixing her gaze back on the little girl, she watched as she looked up at the coach kneeling beside her on the ice.He was dressed in light gear, only gloves and shin pads, with simple black warm-up pants and a zipped-up jacket.Even though he wore a helmet, she knew she was looking at Jax.

He coached Timbits hockey?

Watching the pair intently, she was too far away to hear what he was saying, but the little girl nodded, a big grin appearing beneath her cage.Jax chuckled, unfolding himself from his kneeling position.Reaching down, he pulled the redhead up.Turning her around, he positioned her so she was in front of him between his bent knees.He hooked his gloved hands under her armpits and pushed off, sending them gliding down the ice.As they moved, the little girl shuffled her feet.

Eavie’s heart jumped into her throat, beating as rapidly as a bouncing ball.This professional hockey player was teaching toddlers how to play hockey?He could be doing anything with his time.Instead, he was spending his night here.

Something warm spread through her chest, making her heart thump madly.How often did he do this?She continued to watch, unable to pull her gaze from him.It made something inside her swell, her cold perception of him cracking as she watched this big, strong, gorgeous man handle the toddler so delicately, giving her the courage to get back up and try again.

She sucked in a lungful of cold arena air, trying to calm her racing pulse.Watching him work with these kids was so sweet, she couldn’t help the soft smile that tugged at her mouth.

Jax guided them over to where the group of green was gathering.Carefully, he deposited her in line, sticking his hand out for a high five.Even from here, she could see the smile the girl gave him—wide and enraptured, excitement and awe shining from it.

I know the feeling, kid.

Jax circled them, helping the other tots form a line, bending down occasionally to say something to one of the kids.

Eavie slid behind the pillar, the stirring warmth inside her making her feel flushed.Confusing emotions thrummed inside her.She closed her eyes, trying to process this turn of events.

TheJax Morghan coached Timbits hockey?The thought softened her heart, making that feeling inside, the one that told her there was something off about his cocky persona, grow.She wanted to believe this was evidence that her gut was telling the truth, but logic still warned her it could mean many things, and the last thing she needed was to get burned.

This could be a one-time thing, or maybe it was part of the Thanksgiving volunteer project.Perhaps Molly had set it up as a PR stunt.

Despite all the variables she didn’t know, she couldn’t shake the stirring response in her gut.Something about what she’d just seen made her believe there was more to him than she knew.

Confused and flustered, she quickly retraced her steps, careful not to look back down at the ice.

Chapter Fifteen

Eavie

“Can everyone please ensure they are ready to leave in five minutes?”Molly yelled from her position at the front of the caravan of vehicles.“And don’t forget to check in with my team.We are taking attendance and checking the lists to make sure everyone has reported for their assignments.Trust me, you do not want to show as absent.”She aimed a pointed look across the massive group of Royals players and employees gathered in the garage.Eavie pitied anyone who failed to follow Molly’s stern directions.

Shifting from one foot to the other, she tried to keep her body warm in the cool garage as she waited.She’d changed into leggings after lunch, unsure what tasks she would be doing.She wanted to be ready if it was something that required physical effort.Unfortunately, they were not warm enough to keep the cold temperature of the garage from seeping in.