Page 71 of Rebel Secrets
“I just want you to know how well you played last season and how much you added to the team.”
It took me a couple seconds to respond.That’s not what I’d been expecting to hear.Part of me had thought maybe they’d rescind the offer.Honestly, it would make it easier on me if they did.With everything leading up to Rowdy’s wedding, I hadn’t had time to think about what I was going to do.
Liar.
Okay, I hadn’t wanted to think about what I was going to do.
“Thanks.That’s…nice to hear.”
“I know I might be out of line, but I feel there’s some hesitancy on your part to coming back.I could be totally off base, and this is not me pressuring you.Hell, this isn’t even me calling as your coach.This is just me telling you that you added value to the team last year, and I wanted you to know that.”
Well, shit.“I appreciate it.And honestly, I’m not sure what I’m doing yet.I’ve got a lot to think about.”
“You know I’m here to talk if you need a sounding board.Hey, tell your dad hi.And Reb?Make the decision that’s right for you.”
I was still thinking about what Cory had said the next day when I went to the arena to meet with the high school hockey coach and talk about the upcoming camp.Yeah, I was doing it.Of course I was.
The amount of times the coach thanked me was embarrassing, but the guy cared about his kids.Couldn’t fault him for that.
“I’m just glad to be able to help out,” I said as he finally stood and shook my hand.“I’m looking forward to it.”
He reminded me of the coaches I’d had growing up, of all the camps I’d attended, that my parents had sent us to simply because my brothers and I loved the game.Rowdy and I had attended most of them together.I remembered them as some of the best times of my life.I wouldn’t fuck that up for these kids.
I wasn’t surprised to see my dad standing in the hall as I opened the door to let the coach out.He and I had met in Pop’s office.They talked for a few minutes, making it clear they knew each other pretty well.I wasn’t surprised.I swore Pop knew everyone in town, and if that was an exaggeration, it was only slight.
“You got a few minutes,” Pop said after the coach disappeared down the stairs to the front lobby.
“Yep.Something up?”
Pop shook his head, and we headed back into the office, this time with Pop behind the desk.It was his office, after all.At least for a few more months.
I rubbed at the dull throb in my chest.
“Something wrong?”Pop’s brows arched.
I put my hand down.“No.”Except for the fact that he was retiring, and life was throwing me curveballs from every angle recently.“What’s up?”
He settled back in his chair, a sign that I should get comfortable.
“You make up your mind about your contract yet?”
And that was Pop.No lead up.Just dive right in.That ache in my chest migrated to my gut, tightening like a vise.I wondered if he’d read my mind or just had really fucking good instincts.
Shaking my head, I huffed out a laugh.“As a matter of fact, Coach Cary called yesterday.”
Pop just nodded, like he’d already known.“And?You wanna talk about it?”
I leaned back in my chair and thought about it for a second.“I’m not sure.”
Of course, Pop understood that those three words covered a hell of a lot of ground.
“Fair enough.Your mom said you’re taking Krista out to dinner tonight.I love that little girl but, damn, she wears me out.”
Rowdy and Tressy had left for their honeymoon to Greece two days ago, and Krista was staying with my parents for one of those weeks.She was spending the following week with Tressy’s mom and sister in New York.Mom had called yesterday to ask if I’d take Krista to dinner one night while they were gone.
“She specifically asked if Uncle Rowdy could take her one a date,” my mom had said.“She’s a trip, that one.”
I said I’d pick her up tonight at five.Mom had called me a sweetheart and said I should be there around quarter-of-five.Krista had to be up early to go to swim lessons.
