Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Nate

I step onto the ice, the cold air hitting me like a slap in the face. The energy in the building is electric. I pull the playbook from my bag, flipping through the pages as the players trickle in. They’re showing a mix of excitement and anxiety, which is typical when an important match is a day away.

“All right, boys!” I call out, clapping my hands to get their attention. “Let’s huddle up and go over today’s strategies.”

Finn, always the first to jump in, leans against the boards, his brow slightly furrowed. “What’s the plan, coach?”

I point at the whiteboard where I’ve sketched out our formations. “We’re keeping it tight in the defense. Axel, you’ll need to watch out for their right winger—he’s slippery as hell. Declan, I want you on him like a dog on a bone. Don’t let him breathe.”

Axel nods, a cocky smirk on his face. “No problem, coach. I’ll have him begging for mercy.”

“Good. And Troy, you’re on offense today. You’ve gotta break through their line. They’ve got a weak point on the left side; exploit it. Got it?”

Troy grins, tapping his stick against the ice. “You got it. I’ll make ‘em pay.”

We run through drills, and I can see the determination in their eyes. They’re hungry for this win, and I’m damn proud of the team’s spirit. The rink echoes with shouts and the clatter of sticks hitting pucks. I shout encouragements, and after a grueling hour of play, I blow the whistle.

“All right, that’s a wrap for practice!”

Players begin to disperse, their laughter filling the rink as they joke about the drills they did today. I call out to Carter and Axel, who are chatting near the penalty box.

“Hey, you two! My office, now.”

They share a glance but follow me without question. I know this is a sensitive moment. The harem situation with Jade has been a hot topic, and I want to address it head-on.

Inside my office, I lean against my desk, crossing my arms. “Listen up, fellas. I get that things are…complicated. You both know Jade’s our physical therapist, and we can’t let this personal stuff interfere with our game, all right?”

Carter shifts nervously, his gaze dropping. “Yeah, I get that. It’s just...it’s hard to separate things sometimes.”

I nod, understanding where he’s coming from. “I get it. But we need to keep our focus. After the game, how about we all do something together? Like...an escape room or some shit?”

Carter’s head perks up, and a grin spreads across his face. “An escape room? Seriously?”

I chuckle. “Yeah. It’ll be fun. Jade would dig it too. Team-building shit.”

Axel leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Sounds like a plan. She’d love trying to figure her way out of a locked room.”

“Exactly,” I reply, feeling lighter as the tension eases a bit. “We need to keep the bond strong, especially with what we’ve got going on.”

Carter clears his throat. “So, about this game...I’m feeling a bit nervous.”

“Hey,” I say, stepping closer. “It’s natural. It’s a big deal facing your old team. But remember, we’ve got each other’s backs. We’re a unit. Just focus on your game, and let the rest fall into place.”

Carter exhales, nodding slowly. “Yeah, you’re right. I just want to make a good impression.”

I place a hand on his shoulder. “You will. Just play your game. You’ve got the skills. Don’t overthink it.”

“Thanks, coach,” he says, a hint of relief in his voice.

“Any time,” I reply, pulling back. “Now go get your head straight. I’ll see you on the ice.”

Carter glances at Axel, who’s been silently observing us. “You good, Axel?”

“Yeah, man,” Axel replies. “Just trying to keep my head in the game too.”

Carter nods. “All right, I’ll catch you later.”

As he heads out, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more going on under the surface with him. But right now, we need to keep it together.

Axel lingers a moment longer, his expression thoughtful. “You think Carter’s gonna be all right?”

I shrug. “He’ll be fine. It’s just nerves. You know how it goes. You got anything you wanna add?”

Axel runs a hand through his hair, sighing. “I just hope this whole thing with Jade doesn’t fuck with our dynamic.”

“It won’t,” I assure him. “We’ll keep it professional on the ice. Tomorrow, you just have to get out there and show them what we’re made of.”

Axel grins, his confidence returning. “You got it, coach.”

As he leaves, I shake my head, chuckling to myself. These boys are something else.

When I step out of my office a short time later, I find Carter leaning against the wall, staring at the ice. “You good?” I ask.

“Yeah, just...needed a minute.”

“You played great out there in practice,” I say. “Seriously, I’m proud of you.”

Carter looks up, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks, Nate. It helped talking to you earlier.”

I nod, feeling like I’m starting to see him open up. “You know, the escape room thing is still on. We’ll all go. You in?”

He chuckles. “Count me in. I need to blow off some steam.”

“Good. Let’s make it happen.”

As we walk back to the locker room, I glance around, watching the camaraderie of the team. There’s something special here. These guys are family, and I’m damn glad to be a part of it.

“Where’s Jade?” Carter asks suddenly.

“Not sure,” I reply. “Probably wrapping up with her last patient.”

“Yeah,” he says, looking thoughtful. “She’s been a big part of keeping us in check.”

“True. We’re lucky to have her on our side,” I agree.

Just then, I see Axel stroll in, a satisfied grin plastered on his face. “What’s up, coach?”

Carter smirks. “Not much, just planning our escape room adventure.”

Axel raises an eyebrow. “You two are serious about that?”

“Absolutely,” I say. “We need to do something fun. Keep the team spirit alive.” None of them miss the innuendo in my statement.

“Count me in, too,” Axel says. “I need to take my mind off things.”

“Good,” I reply. “Let’s make it happen soon. Team bonding is key.”

As we chat, I can see the tension melting away. The boys are starting to feel like a cohesive unit, and I couldn’t be prouder.

After some good laughs, I finally head home, feeling like we’re in a good place.

The soft glow of the nightlight casts a warm light across Sadie’s room, illuminating her collection of stuffed animals and colorful drawings taped to the wall. I pull the covers up to her chin, smoothing out the blanket with a smile. “All right, little champ. Time to hit the hay.”

“Daddy,” she says, her voice soft and sleepy. “Can I come see your game tomorrow?”

I hesitate for a second, glancing at the clock. “I wish you could, sweetheart, but you’ve got that big test coming up. You need your rest.”

She pouts slightly, her bottom lip quivering just enough to tug at my heartstrings. But then, my gaze lands on a glimmer of light around her neck. The necklace Jade gave her is still there, shining like a tiny beacon in the dim light. “Hey, I see you’re still wearing that pretty necklace Jade gave you. Looks good on you.”

A small smile breaks across Sadie’s face, and she looks down at it. “It’s my lucky charm,” she says, her eyes sparkling with innocence. “I’ll wear it tomorrow, and you’ll win, right?”

I chuckle, shaking my head a little. “Well, if it helps me play better, I’ll take it! But remember, it’s not just me; the whole team has to work together. And I want you to study hard for that test.”

“Okay,” she replies, her voice softening. She plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Good luck, Daddy. I know you’ll do great!”

“Thanks, Sadie,” I say, trying to hide the swell of pride in my chest. “Just think of me out there, and maybe send a little of that luck my way, okay?”

“I will!” She snuggles deeper into her blankets, her eyes growing heavy. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, kiddo,” I say, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. As I back away, I can’t help but smile at the way she drifts off, her fingers curling around the charm hanging around her neck.

With a final look at my daughter, I close the door quietly, my heart warm. I wish she could be there, cheering me on, but I know she’ll be thinking of me, and that’s enough for now.

Tomorrow’s game is important, but moments like this remind me what it’s all about.