Actually, it's Coach

I dropped into the chair behind my new desk and sat back, the soft cushion welcoming me like an old friend. My muscles were tight after travelling but I hadn't realized how much tension I was holding in my shoulders until I let out a long sigh.

"You alright?"

Alain had poked his head into the door and was smiling in my direction. I managed a grimace and motioned to the seat across from me. He sauntered over and dropped down with a hearty groan, taking a long minute to look at me before speaking again.

"So...whaddaya think?"

"Of?"

"The team, Jodi! What do you think of the team?!" He shouted my name and I fought the urge to shrink back in my seat, digging my nails into the soft gel of the arm rest. His brow furrowed into a sharp line and I blinked slowly.

"I think you have a good team on your hands Alain. With some work, they could be the best."

"You think you could do that work?" The hostility in his voice was palpable and I crossed my legs, leaning back in the chair as my cheeks warmed with anger.

"Depends. Do you think your team can keep up? Seemed to be dragging in practice today..."

Alain's face twisted in anger and he stood up, leaning over the desk to point a finger in my face. "Listen here, little miss! I know you're used to your women and your college hockey but this here's the big leagues and we've got a lot more on the line. Who the hell do you think you are to come in here and talk about my men like that?" The way his voice rose when he spoke of my experience in the NWHL put a fire in my belly and I fought the urge to deck him right there.

"I think you brought me here to fix this team and unless you acknowledge the problem, I can't do that."

"Just remember that your time here is a ticking clock." He turned on a heel and stormed out, leaving my door wide open while I fumed alone. A moment later, Jimmy Vesey rapped his knuckles on the door.

"Hey, uh, Coach Donovan? Do you have a minute?"

I nodded and he came in, leaning his hip on the arm of the chair in front of me. I eyed him warily and gave him a nod, the go-ahead to speak.

"You seem nervous, Jimmy."

"I-I'm not, I just- you coached a friend of mine at UCLA, John Hammish?" I nodded and he continued, "I've just heard a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope."

"Oh fuck yeah!"

I snorted a laugh and he clapped a hand over his mouth, his cheeks blooming bright red. The giggle that came deep from his belly was contagious and I lost myself in the moment, doubling over and clutching my side as he did the same.

"Ve-Vesey, what the hell?"

He wiped the corners of his eyes and shrugged, dropping into the chair. "Oh, dude... but seriously, I've heard you're a beast on the ice. In a good way!" He held up his hands in surrender and I smiled graciously. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm really stoked to have you here."

"Thank you very much. I'm stoked to be here."

He stood up to leave and stopped at the door, turning back when I called his name.

"Thanks for the laugh. I really needed it."

He gave me a warm smile and tapped my name on the door, "Anytime Coach. Anytime."

Notes

Vesey is a doll. I suck at updating. I apologize.