Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“I’m glad you found each other.” He means it, but there’s sadness in his eyes. “How are the girls? Are they settling in okay?”
“They’ve been great. Callie is in love with her bedroom, and Fee and Aurora, Roman’s daughter, are really connecting, which is good for all of us.” Being away from them is tough, but Dred sleeps over when we have away games and Aurora is traveling with the team. She’s a great friend, and I’m so thankful for her.
“I’m so glad to hear that. And the girls like Roman, too?”
“They adore him as much as I do. He’s fantastic with them. He’s an incredibly supportive partner.”
Dad smiles. “I know this hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of you. And I will always be proud of you, no matter what. I haven’t always showed up the way you need me to, but I’ll try to be the best dad and grandpa I can to you and those girls,” he says.
“It means a lot that you’re here now.”
His phone buzzes with a call.
I give him the permission he needs. “You should check that. I need to head to the arena anyway.” I can love him, and love that he’s trying, but he’s still a workaholic lawyer. That won’t change.
He pulls his phone from his pocket and glances at the screen, his expression apologetic. “I should take this.”
“Go ahead.”
“Kristoff here. Can you hold for a second, please?” He mutes the call. “I’ll be cheering you on rinkside, okay?”
“Sounds great.”
He kisses me on the cheek. “I love you, Lexi.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
He unmutes the call as he leaves my room. He’s showing up the way he knows how. And that’s the important part.
“Do you want to talk anything through before you’re behind the bench?” Hemi asks as we head to the arena. “Any direction you need regarding the interview after the game.”
“I should stay focused on the game play and my role as an assistant coach.” I recite what Vander Zee has said.
“For the most part, yes, but they’ll ask about your relationship with Roman, and being honest is better than being evasive. I know where Vander Zee wants the focus, mostly because he’s been the front line on this. But you’re back in the game, so the questions will come. The team has been backing you the whole time. Everyone has said the same thing, Lexi—that they miss you on the ice, and you’re an asset to the team.”
“I’m just nervous. It’s one thing to be on the sidelines. It’s another to be in the line of fire.”
“I know. But we’re all behind you. The team is motivated to win this game for you.”
I stop and take a breath. I’m so emotional. “I need to have my shit together so Roman isn’t worried.”
“Roman is fine. He’s got this, and we’ve got you.” She settles her palms on my shoulders. “All we’re waiting on is paperwork to be filed. You wouldn’t be back at the game if they were seriously concerned about your competency or your agenda.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. Thank you.”
She pulls me in for a hug. “I was in your shoes last year. It sucked, but I got a great guy out of the deal and so have you.”
“Roman is amazing.” And I can handle the backlash that comes with marrying him because he’s my person.
“Just remember that when the assholes are assholes.”
“Everything okay here?” Vander Zee asks.
“Everything is awesome. We’re ready to kick some ass,” Hemi says.
Thank God for these women and this team. I wouldn’t have made it through this without them.
The game is tight. Roman’s focus is singular. After a goal scored by Bowman in the first few minutes of the first period, Roman has deflected every shot, and the enforcers are defending the net. But Bowman is on fire. His stick-handling skills keep improving. It’s mind-blowing to watch him snag the puck out of midair.
But in the end, it’s this maneuver that’s essentially New York’s downfall. Bowman gets a penalty in the third period for high sticking, and Madden scores the tie-breaking goal during the power play, giving us the lead with only four minutes left in the game. We manage to hold on. It’s a rough loss for New York, but a solid win for us.
My anxiety is at an all-time high as we enter the press box a few minutes later. And I’m unprepared for the number of microphones suddenly in my face. “Coach Forrester, this is your first game back in three weeks. Rumor has it that you’re married to Roman Hammerstein? Are these two things connected?”
“I’ve already answered that. Coach Forrester was on leave and has returned to her role as coach,” Vander Zee states, brow furrowed in irritation.
“Were you involved with Hammerstein before you joined the team?”
I go with honesty, because lying seems pointless and will only create more issues down the line. “I met Roman a few years ago, but I hadn’t seen or spoken to him again until after I joined the team as an assistant coach.”