Actually, it's Coach

"Have you seen her?"

"Yeah dude, I walked her to Gorton's office."

"What's she like? I heard she's a ball buster. "

Chris turned his attention to lacing up his skates, going over the interaction in his head as he mulled over his words. "She seems... I dunno. I couldn't get a read on her."

"Is she hot?" Chris shot a glare across the aisle and Brady shrugged, a smirk pulling at his mouth. "What? I'm just asking. We need to know what to expect."

"Yeah dude," Jimmy added, standing up to tug his practice jersey over his pads, "She's the first chick we've had on coaches row."

"You guys are ridiculous." Chris knotted his laces and rose to his feet, turning towards the door. The cool air of the rink hit him in the face as he made his way through the hall, a stark contrast to the heat of the locker room. He relished the feel as he reached behind his back to stretch his chest. The grip he held on his fingers gave way and his arms swung back forward.

"Oh, holy sh-"

Chris turned in time to see the new coach duck under his flailing arm, quickly bending his elbow to avoid her. Her long hair swung behind her shoulders and she snorted a laugh, leaning back and bringing her hand to her heart.

"Jeez Kreider, already trying to take out the new girl?"

Chris blushed furiously and began apologizing. "Coach Donovan, I am so, so-"

"Chris," she reached out and took a soft grip on his forearm, "I was just kidding." He let out a sigh of relief and looked down, the warmth of her hand radiating through his jersey. She followed his eyes and pulled away with a soft smile. "I was just messing with you... hell of a welcome though."

She began walking down the hall, tucking her hands into the jackets of her pocket, and Chris followed suit. He towered over her and got lost in her perfume as it fell over him. It was sweet, fruity yet deep, and the warm scent followed them through the hall and into the tunnel.

"Sorry about that. We're usually a bit friendlier here."

"I'll have to take your word on that, and thank you."

He nodded and stepped onto the ice, taking a lap before returning to find her on the bench. "Do you like New York so far?" Chris watched her run her fingers over the smooth edge of the rink, eyes tracing the Ranger's logo as a smile graced her face.

"I do, yeah. I used to live here- well, not here but in Queens. I came to Ranger's games all the time with my grandmother."

"Not anymore?"

She shook her head and continued, "She passed away a few years ago."

"Have you come to any games since?"

"I haven't been back here since. I went to UCLA for school, spent a while on the West Coast. This is the first time I've been back in New York."

Chris studied her as she spoke and her face remained clear, neutral while her jaw clenched. They sat in a quiet silence for a moment before Brady burst from the tunnel, his hair flapping as he jumped onto the ice. She held his gaze until the young player skated up to them and stuck his hand out for a shake.

"Welcome to the team, Miss-"

"It's Coach," Chris interjected, "Coach Donovan."

Notes