Delayed Penalty (Empire State Hockey #5)

Chapter 22 – Harris

Chapter Twenty-Two

Harris

T he end of summer has always been my favorite time of the year because it means we are that much closer to playing in hockey full time, but this year it’d be sort of nice if time could slow down just a little bit. It just feels like it’s coming fast, and I know it’s because of how chaotic my life has been these last few months. It’s only been two months since I found out Avery and I are expecting; but since then we’ve gotten married, she moved in, and we’ve been fostering Luna for a while, so it’s been pretty much nonstop.

Not to mention, the tension between us has been so thick I’ve damn near needed a straw to breathe through since our little shower adventure. I’ve wanted to have a repeat every night since then, but instead we’ve spent the last week watching reruns of Bones . I tried to get her to watch Harry Potter with me again like we did in college, but she reminded me there was something wrong about watching it in August or September, and October is the month to have the marathons.

I added it to the calendar on my fridge, don’t want her to forget.

Today feels like the last big day before things can sort of level out for a bit, starting with the worst part of the entire day. Mrs. Andrews asked how Luna was doing and when I told her how well she was doing, she mentioned that Luna should come back to get ready for the adoption event next weekend. Avery was less than pleased but understood Mrs. Andrews needs to do what’s best for Luna—and finding her forever home is at the top of that list.

Saying goodbye to sweet Luna girl when she stopped by to pick her up nearly broke me, but watching Avery say goodbye definitely had me tearing up. Allergies, obviously. It also didn’t help that I’ve spent the last couple of nights staring at my ceiling wishing I could just get the courage to talk to Avery about us.

I want her in my bed. I want to cuddle her, to take care of her. I want to be able to kiss her anytime I want. Isn’t that the point of being married? I want to spend hours relearning her body because that one night we had wasn’t enough. I don’t think it’ll ever be enough, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life trying… for science, of course.

I knew damn well that Avery was in my bedroom that night long before I called out her name. I could see her shadow in the mirror, even though she was trying to be sneaky. While I probably should’ve let her know I knew she was there, I made the decision to not stop. If she wanted a show, I’d give her one, but then she tried to leave and I knew I couldn’t let that happen.

Not after everything we talked about. Not after we had finally learned the truth about what happened all those years ago, to find out that neither of us wanted to break up and that we had both had our hearts broken. It was intense, but I’m glad we were able to talk—with our words and our bodies.

Even though it was only that once, I still feel like it’s brought us closer. I’m in no rush to pressure her into a repeat, although I’m dying for one. I understand her point that we need to make sure our heads are on straight and that we’re thinking things through, because we have a baby we’re bringing into this world. If I want any chance of keeping my family together, I need to do this right.

Which is why we’re now heading to the first stop of the day, together—my coach’s office. We started to talk this morning and she made a good point when I mentioned going by myself. If we are really trying to show a united front and help my coach understand I’m not just some dumb kid who’s out trying to fight people for no reason.

Walking up to his door, I knock, and his usual gruff voice immediately tells us to come in. Looking down at Avery, I can tell she’s a little nervous, but I’m surprised when she grabs my hand and opens the door, clearly not as nervous as I thought she was going to be.

When we step into the office, he’s behind his desk, leaning back like he’s been waiting for us. He doesn’t even try to hide the shock when he sees Avery, but he’s caught off guard.

“Hello, Danielson,” he says, nodding at me before looking over at Avery.

“Hello, I’m Avery, Harris’s wife,” she says with a smile, her hand outstretched that he takes, his eyes bouncing between the two of us as he introduces himself.

“Thanks for coming to meet with me, I’m sure you know what this is about,” he grumbles, looking down at his phone as we both take a seat.

“Actually, sir, I don’t,” I tell him, refusing to shoot myself in the foot if that’s not what this is about.

He rolls his eyes, a deep sigh like he’s hoping I’d make this easy on him. Coach isn’t a bad guy, he just hates dealing with drama, especially when he has to because of his job.

But for this? There’s not a chance in hell I’m making it easy on him.

Turning his phone to face me, he glares at me as I look at a video playing of me at the bar.

“Okay? I’m still not sure why this video has me sitting in your office, Coach.”

“We’ve talked about fighting, and now there’s a video going around of you fighting some guy at a bar because you were drunk?”

“Excuse me, sir?” Avery says, her usual sweet tone gone. Instead, it’s more of a mom voice—probably her teacher voice.

It’s hot.

“With all due respect, you haven’t once asked Harris his side of the story, nor have you asked either of us about what we were or weren’t drinking. So, in my opinion, there’s a lot of assumptions being made, and we all know what they say about assumptions.”

If I thought Coach was scary after we lose a game, he’s terrifying when he’s going up against a tiny girl with a giant attitude. That being said, he knows when he’s been put in his place, I’ll give that credit to his wife.

“And your side of the story is going to make me not pissed off that PR is having to clean up this mess right now?”

“Well, when this guy”—I reference the phone in his hand—“decided to tell me to get my bitch in check—you know, my wife—yeah, I guess I sort of needed to teach him a thing or two. I went easy on the guy, if you’re asking me.”

Avery shrugs like she agrees, and even Coach seems to get it now, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy about it.

“Besides, he’s a Boston Bandits fan so I don’t think we should be taking his word all that seriously, wouldn’t you say, Coach?” Avery adds, looking over at him like they’re long-lost friends, and I can tell he hates it. But I also know him pretty well and I know he doesn’t know how to be rude, even when his pride has been wounded.

“Danielson, I don’t want to deal with this shit all season, so you better get this figured out before the season starts. This is your one and only fuck up, got it?”

“Got it.”

“Married? When the fuck were you gonna tell us?”

“Uh, it sort of… just happened. We’re also having a baby.”

His eyes widen, but he smiles as he pulls me into a hug, smacking my back in one of those excited hugs you can’t quite control. “Congrats, son. Fatherhood is everything.”

“Congratulations are in order then. Right, Mrs. Danielson?” he says to Avery, who looks shocked at his instant change in demeanor, but her little smile is cute.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the way that sounded. Mrs. Danielson looks good on her, but then, so do I.

Coach and Avery’s interaction almost makes me laugh because he can change his demeanor quickly, as long as he understands a situation. He’s a good man, a great husband and father, but the man fucking hates drama. So, when he thinks I’m causing problems by getting into fights, he’s going to be pissed. The one major thing him and I have in common besides our love for hockey is being protective over people we care about.

“Sorry for the way I went about this. You know I love you like a son, Danielson, so fuck, I was pissed when I thought you were out causing shit again, and I wanted to kick your ass,” Coach says, almost embarrassed. “I’ll say I’m proud of you for standing up for your wife, but next time try to tone done the theatrics. Or let her punch him, she looks like she could’ve taken that Bandits fan herself.”

“All good, Coach. Can I ask a question?” I say, not sure the best way to go about this. I don’t want to cause unnecessary problems, but at the same time, I need to know.

“Of course.”

“How did you get the video?”

He looks at me for a moment, thumb rubbing back on forth on his lower lip and I can see him contemplating my question.

“It was sent to me by an old friend who recognized you. It was a little shocking because it came out of the blue, but I also remember when you first joined this team, he listened to me vent every now and then about your nonsense on the ice. He just probably wanted to give me a heads up.”

I see Avery stiffen, her mouth opening like she wants to say something, but I asked her not to unless we absolutely need to. If Peter’s not actually going to make this a problem, then I don’t want to, either. As long as he leaves the two of us alone, I couldn’t care less what happens to him.

I nod and stand up, my hand out waiting for Avery.

“Thanks for meeting today,” Coach says with a smile. “It’s nice when things turn out to be the opposite of what you expected, a pleasant surprise.”

“It was nice to meet you too, sir. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon,” she says with a smile, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride for how confident she seems right now. After everything that’s happened, after everything that she’s been through, I’m absolutely in awe of seeing her stand there and hold her ground.

It’s even hotter that she’s standing there protecting me.