Page 88 of Second Chance Player

“Myles, this is serious. I can’t have you tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. I need to know, no matter what, it stays here in this room.”

“You know you can trust me,” he answers.

“Yeah,” I say. I go on to tell him I’m dating Skylar seriously and Carter Lewis is her son’s father. I explain there is no way Lewis can find out because he was bad to her. Abused her. I also tell Coach I’m in love with Skylar, but she’s terrified to take things further because of Lewis.

Coach grinds his jaw, but I also see emotions crossing over his features. “That girl is like my own daughter. Hell, I’ve watched Crew grow from birth. They’re part of my family, Liam. I’ll be damned if I let anyone hurt them.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that. I don’t want to betray Skylar’s trust, but I don’t know what I’m capable of if I see that lunatic. Now that I know the truth about the way he treated her, my anger runs deeper,” I confess.

Coach nods. “The difference between you and Lewis is you’re a decent human being. You start with Lewis, and alarm bells will go off in his mind. You need to play things smart.”

“How do I do that? You know I need to play the front line. I can’t sit out,” I say.

“We either call in an injury, which I wouldn’t like to do, or you play Lewis and keep your cool. In the meantime, I’m going to Flynn about this. She has PIs who work for her at the firm. I’ve heard rumors about Lewis, maybe it’s time we get them confirmed.” I know his wife Flynn is a big shot lawyer and she has her own law firm. When I confided in Coach, I forgot that little detail. The fact so many people want to stand behind Skylar and Crew feels reassuring. Either way, Carter Lewis is never coming into contact with her again.

“What rumors?” I ask, rubbing my knuckles against the scruff on my jaw. It’s a nervous tic, a way for me to focus on something simple to calm my nerves.

“Give me time to figure it out. I’ll keep you updated if I find something. In the meantime, take care of Skylar,” he urges, pinching his lips in a tight smile.

“I plan on it,” I assure him.

“Okay, we’ll touch base soon. You remember to keep your head clear. Skylar doesn’t need you to use your fists to protect her. You need to be smart,” he repeats.

“Yes, Coach,” I say. I agree I need to keep my head about me and keep Skylar and Crew safe because they are all that matter to me. “Thank you.”

I get up and leave his office. When I return to the locker rooms, Wolfe asks me if everything is okay.

I nod, but I know he can tell it isn’t. I assure him I’m taking care of whatever is wrong.

That night, I call Skylar. It’s been harder for us to see each other with her back to work and taking double shifts.

“What’s up?” I ask her.

“Not much. I just got Crew to bed.” She yawns. “He was so tired after his sleepover with little Liam and playing hockey today.”

“And how are you feeling?” I ask.

“Tired too.” .

“Sorry I didn’t get to come to hockey. Coach felt like he needed to hold practice today. The closer we get to playoff season, the higher the stakes become,” I explain.

“I understand. Your career is important. I don’t want you to feel like you have to apologize.”

“But I need you to know I wanted to be there for you and Crew,” I say.

“We were really okay. I used Patty’s car and drove there myself,” she says, sounding proud.

“That’s amazing, Sky.” I know all about her reservations about driving.

“Thanks, it felt good.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to. I’m serious. Your drive has always amazed me,” I tell her.

“Thanks.”

“I mean it.”

“Speaking of which, I didn’t have a chance to mention it to you, but I applied for some scholarships for single mothers. I’m going to try to go back to school.”

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