Page 27 of Hot Shot
“Maybe it was a friend,” I offer with a shrug.
“Do you think she was over twenty-one? Heck, over eighteen?” Wes asks.
“Yeah, I’d say she was probably mid to late twenties. Cute. Curly brown hair.”
“Why do you think he was on a date?” I ask.
“They were giving off that first date vibe. You know, where you’re super nervous but also excited. She kept glancing around the coffee shop and fidgeting with her hair.”
“What’s the big deal? Maybe he likes dating younger women. Besides, isn’t Coach allowed to have a life outside of hockey? Good for him if he’s dating someone,” I say.
Before either of them can answer, the front door swings open and we’re greeted by Caleb.
“Hey guys. Come on in. Everyone’s out back.” He holds the door open and we file inside.
Holt asks some questions about the house, but I tune them out, looking around as we move through the house.
We pass through a huge living room with black leather couches that face a large television that’s mounted on one wall. Vaulted ceilings make the room feel even bigger.
Caleb opens one of the sliding glass doors and we step out onto the patio surrounding a pool and Jacuzzi.
“Hi. I’m Jenna. Caleb’s wife,” says a blonde woman as she strolls up to us and wraps her arm around Caleb’s waist.
Introductions are made.
I glance around the backyard, taking in the team, their spouses, and kids spread around the spacious outdoor space.
A tall privacy fence lines three sides of the yard dotted with oak and palm trees. The fourth side of the backyard doesn’t need a fence as it leads to a lake.
I gaze out, slightly jealous, at the dock where a boat and a couple of Jet Skis are.
“We’ll have to take it out one weekend,” Caleb says. “The boat,” he adds as if I didn’t know what he meant.
“Sounds great.”
“Hey,” Brody says, ambling up to our group.
Caleb excuses himself to go check on Aleksi, who is manning the grill. Apparently, he’s not only an excellent goaltender, some say the best in the league, but he’s got a passion for grilling.
We make our way to one of the big umbrellas strategically placed around the patio, because even though it’s October it’s still hot out.
I stare longingly at the pool. I should have brought my bathing suit. Caleb mentioned it but I forgot to grab it.
“There she is!” Holt says, breaking into my thoughts.
“Who?” Brody asks.
“Coach’s girlfriend. Over there by the back door talking to Jenna. Which must mean Coach is here somewhere.” Holt inclines his head toward where I assume Jenna and the mystery woman are, then glances around the backyard.
I turn around, curiosity getting the best of me. It takes a second for me to register who I’m seeing.Holy shit.Madison?
“Wait, wait. That’s your Madison?” Holt asks, his mouth dropping open as he looks from me to her and back again.
Guess I said that out loud. I nod, too stunned to answer.
“Why was she having coffee with Coach?”
I don’t answer, instead I walk to where they’re standing in the shade of one of the big oak trees. I hear rustling behind me and realize I’m not alone. This should be interesting.
