Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
My shoulders sag and he pounces on my display of weakness. “That’s right, little ice dancer. You continue to pat those other kids on the back and give them encouragement while I actually impart some useful knowledge to my kid. Until such time that you get some coaching savvy, I suggest you keep your pretty mouth shut.”
I don’t even have time to be incensed because someone—someone very tall—approaches from my side and says, “She has someone with coaching savvy helping her.”
This is news to me and I turn to the stranger, my head tipping up to look at what might be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my life. Granted, he’s young, maybe early- to mid-twenties, but that doesn’t stop my appreciative once-over.
Dark hair worn short, slanted eyebrows, a straight nose and sharp cheekbones. His lips are full and his eyes are the lightest golden brown. Maybe even more gold than brown, and they glow against his tanned skin. He could be a runway model his face is so perfect, and I have to force my gaze away.
“Holy shit,” Mr. McVey says with delighted exuberance, holding out his hand. “You’re Jack Kingston.”
I have no idea who Jack Kingston is but I can tell it’s distasteful to him to accept McVey’s offer, and yet he does it to be polite. While their hands are still grasped, the tall man says, “I couldn’t help but overhear the way you were talking to your son and his coach.”
Mr. McVey starts stammering, “Well, you know… just being tough with my boy as this is a tough sport. I’m sure you had the same.”
“No,” the man named Jack Kingston says, and I note he still has Mr. McVey’s hand in his grip. It looks painful to be honest, and Theo’s dad tries to pull away. “I’ve never had a coach or one of my parents talk to me that way, and as you well know, I turned into a pretty good hockey player.”
I’m so confused as to what’s going on, but I’m mesmerized because that bully of a man seems to be a little pale right now. He manages to jerk his hand back and I realize it wasn’t from his own strength, but because Mr. Kingston chose to let him go.
“As I said, I’ll be helping to coach the Ice Pups and I’ll make it clear to you and to everyone else at the next practice, but Coach Montreaux’s instructions are the same as mine. Do you remember what they were?”
Mr. McVey shakes his head, his jaw slack with confusion.
“Coach Montreaux said that the main goals we’re going to teach these kids are skills and good sportsmanship, but most importantly, they should be having fun at this age. Cheering should be done with encouragement, not with any negativity or abusive language. Do you have a problem with that?”
I stare slack-jawed as this man, who, if I’m not mistaken, not only has proclaimed himself as a coach with me for this team, but he was clearly listening in on my original speech to the parents. I have no idea who he is or where he came from, or even why he seems to command Mr. McVey’s respect, but I have to say, I’m enjoying the hell out of him putting this asshole in his place.
“Not a problem, King,” Mr. McVey stammers. “We’ll, um… see you at practice, I guess.”
Jack Kingston ignores Mr. McVey and squats down to Theo. “I was watching you and you did an amazing job out there. Keep up the good work, okay?”
The little boy looks in awe, so he must know who this man is. Theo nods, his mouth hanging open.
“Good,” Kingston says and then rises. He turns to me and taking my elbow, he says, “Got a few minutes to chat, Coach?”
“Um… sure,” I mumble and find myself being led from the crowds to a quiet spot away from the bleachers. Brittany catches my eye, her brows raised in a silent plea about what’s happening. I just shrug.
When we’re alone, I’m the first to talk. “Who are you? And why would you say you’re going to help me coach?”
“I will help you coach,” he says with a smile that’s so beautiful it almost makes me a little dizzy. “And I’m Jack Kingston, but I go by King.”
He holds his hand out to me and I shake it. “So you said to Mr. McVey, but I don’t know who Jack Kingston is. Theo’s dad seems to think you’re pretty important though.”
Releasing my hand, he tips his head back and laughs. “That’s refreshing. I’m a defenseman on the Pittsburgh Titans.”
Now my eyes flare wide at that tidbit of information. I do indeed know who the Pittsburgh Titans are because I don’t live under a rock. I know that the original team was killed in a plane crash a little over a year and a half ago.