Page 173 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I glance toward Jamie. "I've just been doing my job."

Caleb's eyes drift to his captain before returning to me.

"Maybe."

His expression softens almost imperceptibly. "But you've given us more than his shoulder."

For a moment no one says anything. Jamie looks down at the coffee in his hands. Toby suddenly clears his throat.

"Well..."

He points toward the ice. "I promised three eight-year-olds I'd judge a backwards-skating race."

Liam appears from nowhere. "Which is an absolutely terrible idea."

"They asked."

"They're eight."

"They'll survive."

"They probably won't win."

"They're racing each other."

Liam considers that. "Fair point."

He hooks an arm around Toby's shoulders.

"C'mon. Let's go destroy some young dreams."

"We are not destroying dreams."

"We're setting realistic expectations."

Their argument continues all the way back toward the ice, drawing laughter from volunteers who have clearly witnessed versions of this conversation before.

Caleb watches them disappear. "I don't know how Coach survives those two."

Jamie smiles. "He doesn't."

"No." Caleb nods. "He really doesn't."

Then, with one last glance between Jamie and me, he quietly excuses himself and heads toward the locker room. I watch him go. "He notices everything, doesn't he?"

Jamie follows my gaze.

"Caleb?"

"He doesn't say much."

"He doesn't have to."

I smile.

"I've noticed."

***