Page 51 of One Wild Chance

I open one eye. “You had nobody else?”

“Not really.” She says it matter-of-factly, with no self-pity. “Which is why I’m here.”

“Look at it this way. If you’d competed in sports, you might never have ended up on the farm, and we’d never have known each other.”

“Are you saying I should be grateful for my deprived childhood?” Her lips twitch.

“I’m saying sometimes the things we think we miss work out in the end.”

She tilts her head. For reasons that have nothing to do with Lucky Chance, I’m glad she ended up here.

“Speaking of things working out,” I say, my voice thick, “why are you being kind to me?”

I don’t even know what to make of the way she ran over here to help me.

She shifts on her feet. “We’re partners now, Jaxon. Plus, you’re doing Remi a favor.”

I give her a look. “Doesn’t mean you can talk me into staying for the season.”

“I know,” she says. “But those kids have never met a real hockey player before.”

I shake my head. “I’m not a hockey player anymore.”

“You don’t have to stop calling yourself one. To this team, you’re a legend.”

I look at her, my chest buckling tight. “Thanks, but I’m not sure that’s true anymore.”

She points to the team. “They’ve never had someone like you. You could teach them how to love this sport.”

I watch as they start practicing the drill I taught them. They’re slow and uncoordinated, but they’re doing it right this time. This might not be the coaching job I wanted, but if nothing else, I can teach them teamwork.

“Thanks, Summer. I…” I get cut off by the boys arguing about who gets to take the next shot. “Now, excuse me while I wrangle some kids.” I turn back to the team and whistle. Everyone stops what they’re doing.

“Hey team, do you want to win this season?” I look them all over. “Do you?”

“Yes!” a few of them shout.

“Is that it? If you want to play, say it louder.”

“YES!” They all shout this time.

“Then get back in line.” I point to center ice. “Because from now on, we’re doing this right.”

A small hand goes up. Remi’s.

“What?” I set my hands on my hips.

She tilts her head. She definitely has the cute thing down. “Are you our new coach?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because you’re acting like one,” she says.

I glance over at Summer, who’s now smirking.

“I’m not making any promises,” I tell her. “But if you’re willing to try—” I look at each of them. “Then so am I.”

Chapter 15