Chapter 7 Crashing Practice
As she reached the rink, Nicky eyed the small group of women soaking in the autumn sun. They lowered their sunglasses over their noses peering at her over the rims curiously. Puck Bunnies, waiting for the end of practice. Nicky didn’t mind Bunnies. They came to every game in support of their favorite player, even though they weren’t really into the game. They were usually nice. Occasionally a little stupid and annoying. Especially when they couldn’t follow the game.
Nicky gave them a smile, pushing open the door. Without stopping at the desk, she walked through the lobby to the open double doors that led to the rink. As she stepped through, she was surrounded with the white noise that could only be found here. The sounds of skates gliding across the ice, sticks clacking together, men grunting as their bodies collided. The smell of cold ice and sweat filled the air. Damn she’d missed this. This felt like home.
“Ma’am, this is a closed practice, you’ll have to wait outside.” The security guard appeared out of no where blocking her path. He was middle aged, bald and a little pudgy. Filling out his black uniform around the middle more than the shoulders. He rested his hands on his utility belt, tipping his head back face void of emotion.
“Oh, I’m just here for my ride.” Nicky said with a smile adjusting the strap of her dance bag on her shoulder.
“Sorry, I’m not allowed to let you in.” He said, not sounding sorry at all. Nickys’ smile fall, her face crumpling into wrinkled confusion. “You’ll have to wait outside with everyone else.” He said gesturing behind her. Nickys mouth fell open in shock. With the bunnies? Absolutely not.
“Not going to happen my dude.” Nicky said patting him on the chest condescendingly. “Brad didn’t put me on a list or something? He’s expecting me.” Nicky said tilting her head at him.
“Even if he did, I can’t let fans in during practice.” He said crossing his arms over his chest, looking every bit the immovable object. Beyond him a whistle blew, the team skating across the ice to gather by the open side closest to the locker room tunnel.
“I’m not a fan,” Nicky said then backtracked rolling her eyes and holding her hand out in a grudging acceptance gesture. “Ok, I’m a fan, but I’m not a bunny. Wilder is my brother. Landry is my cousin. Ryker a…” She hesitated, unsure what to call him. Settling on, “person. And coach is my Dad.” She explained gesturing toward the rink in exasperation.
“Yeah, sure they are.” He said in disbelief. A man that had been fooled before. Nicky rolled her eyes raising up on tip toe to see over his shoulder. The team stood in a semi circle around the open wall where her father stood with his clipboard talking.
“Daddy!” Nicky called, her voice ringing out loudly across the rink grabbing everyone’s attention. Coach Steve Wilder turned, his face morphing from Coach to Dad in a matter of seconds. Serious and kind of pissed off turned into soft pride overflowing with joy when he saw her.
“It’s ok Gus.” He called out. Nicky gave Gus an ‘I told you so’ smirk before racing past him. Steve rushed to meet her jogging down the concrete moat between the rink wall and the bleachers, catching her when she threw herself into his arms. “Baby girl!” He lifter her off the ground for a moment before setting her back down. “I didn’t know you were coming today.” Holding her hand in his he led her back to where the team waited for him.
“Yeah, B dropped the ball there. Security’s tight huh?” Nicky said jerking her thumb to where Gus stood watching them.
“Yeah, Rykers got the Bunnies all wound up.” Steve said giving Gage a pointed look. Gage held up his gloved hands in a ‘what did I do’ motion, his face the picture of innocence.
“Of course he does.” Nicky scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Nicky wasn’t sure what it was about a man in a hockey uniform. Maybe it was all that padding making them look somewhere between Thor and Hercules. Maybe it was all the testosterone that was present. But it was hot. Gage in uniform was panty dropping hot. He had his helmet off, hair wet with sweat, breathing a little hard from their last exercise.
“You want to go out after practice?” Steve asked his brow raised, giving her hand a squeeze.
“Ice cream?” Nicky asked giving him a big grin she clung to his hand, twisting back and forth at the waist.
“Ice cream.” Coach Wilder agreed with a smile and nod. Nicky pumped her fist close to her rib cage in victory.
Gage tilted his head back with a small smile watching them. Coach was a completely different person when Nicky was around. He was soft and gentle in a way he never was with anyone else, not even his wife. Steve kissed the top of Nicky’s head sending her to the players lounge before turning back to the group. The softness gone in an instant, replaced with hard irritation. Irritation that increased when a couple of the guys tilted their heads to get a better look at Nicky’s ass as she walked away.
Gage couldn’t blame them; she looked fucking good. Dark blue strapless crop top ending just below her breasts, exposing her flat stomach and belly button ring. Low rise jeans, hanging dangerously low on her hips hugging her curves from hip to knee. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulders a tousled mess of wavy curls a man could lose his hands in.
“Nic’s back, huh?” Mike Landry, their defensemen and Nicky’s cousin, murmured beside him. Gage grunted in response. Next to Brad, Mike was Gage’s closest friend. They’d all grown up together. Gone to school together. Been on the same team since they were thirteen. They knew each other on and off the ice like the back of their hands.
“How’s that going?” Mike smirked, eyeing Gage’s profile.
“It’s fucking awesome.” Gage murmured moodily meeting his gaze briefly. Mike nodded gravely, bumping his fist against Gages shoulder. Moving back to the ice for a scrimmage Gage headed to the center with his counterpart, rookie David West. As they skated to the center West and second year winger Tyler Merrick were crowing about Nicky.
“Man, she’s fucking fine.” Merrick whistled pulling his helmet over his head.
“I bet she’s creative.” West said with a lecherous look. Gage rolled his eyes, his jaw clinching in irritation.
“Careful kid, that’s Coaches daughter you’re talking about.” Gage warned as they reached the center. Gage circled around to face him, leaning forward over his stick.
“What’s wrong Ryker, you want her for yourself?” West taunted teeth flashing behind his mask in a big grin. “Bet you do. Bet you want to stick your dick in her.”
“Keep running your mouth West. Going to get you in fucking trouble.” Gage said his jaw tight.
“Really to bad I’m going to get her first.” West said tisking his tongue against his back teeth. “She’ll be ruined when I’m done.”
“You put your hands on her and I’ll fucking break them off.” Gage said his voice low and dangerous.
Their rivalry wasn’t a new thing. Every interaction between them had been strained since the beginning of the season. Gage just couldn’t stand the guy. He was cocky. Knew everything about everything. Gods gift to the game. Didn’t help that the kid was actually good, played Gage’s position and was younger than him.
There was a moment of stillness. The assistant coach skated over holding the puck above the center circle for a split second before dropping it. Their eyes locked in a silent battle. A tender-box ready to explode. Gage’s expression a warning, promising violence. West’s a challenge, begging Gage to lose control. The fight broke out like an explosion when the puck hit the ice. Gloves expertly shook off, helmets flung out of the way, fists flying through the air.
