Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
He’s exactly the person he needed all those years ago.
He didn’t have that. Sure, eventually he had the coach that pushed him, but by then he was a teen.
At this age, Aiden had to teach himself how to skate.
He had no one.
What he’s giving these kids is priceless.
And if my heart wasn’t filled with love already for this wonderfully complicated man, it’s now bubbling over.
I watch as the kids skate, leaving Aiden to talk to an older man, maybe in his late fifties.
These little kids are naturals, skating with ease. More importantly, you can tell they love the game. Live for it.
Just like Aiden.
Finally, I pull my eyes away from the game and find Aiden and the man making their way toward me.
“Cass, I want you to meet Coach Joseph. Joe, this is my girl, Cassidy.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand so we can shake.
“Nice to meet you too. Happy to see Slate happy.” His words are filled with fatherly love. Like he genuinely cares for Aiden. I immediately like the man.
“How long has this facility been open?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
The coach’s eyes widen, and Aiden inclines his head down. “I told Cass my involvement.”
He looks over at me and then back at Aiden. “I can speak freely?”
Aiden nods and says, “Yep.”
“That’s a change.” The older man grins, turning back toward me. “The ice rink and youth group have been around for the last six years. Give or take.”
I mentally do the math. Like my deposits, Aiden started this shortly after being drafted to the Saints.
“It’s amazing.” I turn to face Aiden. “You’re amazing.” I mouth, only for him to see.
“It’s the least I could do,” Aiden says, shrugging. “These kids will do great things one day.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Coach Joseph tells him, before turning to me. “We have multiple age groups here practicing, running drills, but it’s more than that. We give these kids everything they need for the best chance to succeed. Skates. Equipment. Lessons.”
“You give them the best shot at a happy life,” I say, understanding wholeheartedly what happens here.
The coach nods. “It was great meeting you, Cassidy. I gotta get back to it.”
“Nice to meet you, Coach.” I smile and listen to his goodbye to Slate before he pats him on the back proudly and skates off to help the kids.
I chuckle, unable to keep the happiness from bubbling over. “You’re really amazing.”
“Just trying to pay back my investment.” He winks, and I melt—that single action is so sexy.
My stomach flips in the best way possible, and the need to get him out of this place and back in bed is too intense.
“You did that and so much more,” I say.
“It’s the least I could do.” He looks around, and I can see how proud he is.
“Coach Joseph is right. Don’t sell yourself short, Aiden. This,” I say, motioning around. “All of this. It must cost a fortune. Not many would do that.”
“There’s only so much money I need to live off; the rest, it goes to give these kids a chance.”
I throw my arms around him at that, kissing his lips. I hear the giggles as I do, but I don’t care.
I love this man.
43
AIDEN
Tonight, I’m back in Tampa for game five against the Bulldogs. If we win this round, we advance to round three of the playoffs.
That puts only two teams standing between us and the Cup.
The atmosphere in the locker room is always intense, but today, even more so. Everyone focuses on getting ready for the game. Getting their head into the right headspace to dominate.
It’s what I’ve been doing since I arrived at the rink.
I have a different method from the rest of them. Always have and they’ve always respected it.
My teammates are all in a huddle, laughing and joking around as they get ready.
I’m in my private space, just out of sight, slowly working through my pre-game rituals of taping my hand, righting my socks, and mentally preparing myself.
Knowing Cass sits in the stands ready to watch me makes today feel different.
Sure, I’ve played in front of her before, but this feels different. Probably because it’s really official that we’re actually a couple.
We’re dating.
We might not have said as much, but that’s what this is. I want to be with her, and she wants to be with me. And this will be the first time she’s watched me since.
I take a deep breath and try to steady my nerves, finishing the last of my stuff before joining my team.
Coach steps forward, coughing once to get our attention. We all know better than to have him do it a second time.
“Don’t lose this one, boys.”
That’s it. That’s the talk, and I can’t help but roll my eyes before laughing.
Coach typically has plenty to say. There have been times we’ve been pushing the clock, almost late, because of his long-winded speeches. Today, he keeps it short and sweet, and I can’t say I’m not happy about it.