Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Chloe

The excited chatter of twenty-two kids all attempting to put on skates, some for the first time, echoes around the arena. Most have at least one parent with them, all of whom keep throwing glances my way, gauging my ability to handle a group of rowdy kids balancing on thin blades. I'm used to it, having been a schoolteacher for years, but this feels different. This feels like reconnecting with who I used to be. Hockey was my entire life growing up and it only feels right to return to it now. I'll wow the parents and hook the kids on the sport by the end of today's open house, I'm sure of it.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, but I ignore it. My entire focus is on giving the most value of any club sport out there. These kids deserve to fall in love with the feeling of accomplishing something they didn't think they could do. As a curvy girl who didn't look like an athlete, hockey gave me the confidence I have today, and it's my goal to pay that forward to another generation.

"This is actually scarier than facing Denver's enforcer," Banks whispers in my ear as he skates up next to me.

I chuckle, knowing the player he's referring to. He's got a crooked nose and two missing teeth you only see when he grins evilly at you right before he slams you up against the boards.

"Stay calm, Banks. They're just kids."

He shudders, making me laugh more. "Exactly."

He's the perfect guy to help me today. Despite his antics, he's amazing with his Little, Eli. I've seen the two of them together and nearly melted into a puddle over their adorableness.

I skate forward and address the line of kids sitting on the bleachers ringing the rink. "Okay, folks! Thanks for coming today. I'm Chloe Cooper, former D1 hockey player for Wisconsin, and head coach of Bring Your B-Game. Banks Bennet is here to assist today, and I doubt he needs any introduction." Several of the kids are wearing his jersey with glazed smiles as they stare at him.

"By show of hands, how many of you already know how to skate?" I raise my hand and see almost the entire group raise their hands. One little girl off to the side looks like she's about to cry when she doesn't join the group. My heart lurches and I make a mental note to keep an eye on her. "Okay, that's great, but no problem whatsoever if you can't skate. We'll start with simple skills out there on the ice, but remember, this is rec league. That means any and all levels are welcome. The only mistake you can make is making fun of someone else. Got it?"

I hear a smattering of yeses and keep going. "Let's have everyone stand up." It sounds like a herd of elephants have arrived, but they all make it to their feet. "Contrary to what you might think, the first lesson is getting used to your skates, and that happens on dry land."

Banks gets off the ice and goes down the line, helping the kids follow my directions as we move through some movements to get used to blades strapped to their feet. There's lots of giggles, some spills, and also clapping when someone gets back up. Hopefully, I make it very clear that the culture here is not competitive and that we celebrate each other's wins. By the time we finally make it onto the ice, Banks is holding hands with the little girl who was almost in tears earlier. I take the front of the line with the more experienced skaters and teach them how to stop on the ice.

Two hours pass in the blink of an eye. By the time the last potential player files out of the arena, I collapse onto the bench next to Banks and close my eyes. "I think I owe you a whole case of beer."

Banks laughs. "Nah. That was fun. So different from the competitive leagues." He nudges me and my eyes fly open. "Plus, no one got hurt and most left with big smiles. I think you'll have a full roster before you know it, Chloe. Eli already told me he wants to sign up."

Warmth floods through my body. I inhale deeply and then exhale the stress I've been holding onto. "You're right. They did look like they were having fun. Gosh, it feels amazing to do what I love."

Banks takes off his skates and I do the same in companionable silence. "So..." he starts. "What's up with you and Druggy?"

My head whips in his direction. "What do you mean?"

He lifts a dark eyebrow. "It was interesting to note you both left the wedding around the same time. Was that coincidence?"

My jaw drops, and I wonder how many other people may have noticed that little detail. "Absolutely coincidence. There's nothing going on there."

Banks studies me, but then shrugs and stands up. "His loss then. See you around, Cooper."

"Thanks again for your help!" I shout after him. He lifts a hand and smiles before disappearing into the locker room.

I sit there for a few minutes longer, just staring at the ice and absorbing everything that happened at my first open house. I feel energized, buzzed, hopped up on the energy of knowing I'm living my dream. Then I pull out my phone with the intention of calling the coach Dad sent me, saying he might be a good fit for an assistant coach. Based on today's attendance, I'm going to need help ASAP.

But there's a voicemail from earlier. I put it to my ear and nearly choke when the deep gravelly tone of Nikolai caresses my ear.

"I need you."

My fingers are shaking as I call him back. There's no hesitation. No second guessing what he could mean. Nikolai needs me enough to leave that message, you're damn right I'm going to call him back. And not just because everything he said to me on that beach lives rent free in my brain every single night as I try to get to sleep.

I want to take you every way a man can take a woman.

I squeeze my eyes shut as the phone rings on his end. That's hands down the sexiest thing a man has ever said to me, and I'm not ashamed to admit I've replayed that moment innumerable times with the help of my trusty vibrator. I've stayed away from him since the wedding, knowing he needs to focus on his custody battle, but that doesn't mean I don't think about him every single day and wish for a world in which he could do exactly what he described on that beach.

"Chloe," he says by way of answering.

My breath whooshes out in a cloud in the cold arena. "Nikolai."

"You got my message."

It's a statement, not a question, but I agree nonetheless. There's silence for a moment and then words rush from his mouth, agony and shame coating each one.

"I have failed. There is no nanny for Ayana, and we are due at court tomorrow. I will surely lose her if I do not prove I have childcare."

My brain scrambles, running through my to-do list and casting every single item in the long list aside as I make way to help him. "What time?"

"Nine."

"I'll be there." There's no hesitation. No negotiation.

"Chloe," he breathes, the intimate way he says my name twisting my insides and making me burn with heat. "You do not understand what you are agreeing to."

"I do," I say instantly. "You need a nanny and I can be her until you find someone else permanently."

"But what about your league? Surely you need time to work on that, not babysit my daughter."

I stand and grab my skates, jamming my phone between my ear and my shoulder. "Easy. I'll take Ayana with me to practice." When Nikolai makes a sound like he's going to argue with me further, I cut him off, my voice more harsh than I intended. "Quit sabotaging your own case, Nikolai. You're a great dad and deserve to have your daughter with you. Let me help."

There's silence. So much so, I check my phone to make sure the call didn't drop.

"You are a goddess, Chloe Cooper."

I smile as I reach the locker rooms. "I know."

I hang up and collect my things before leaving for the evening. My brain is whirling with everything I'm undertaking all at once. I'm stressed, but in a good way. Sleep evades me as I toss and turn over all the tasks I need to get done, along with another night sweat that requires a complete change of pajamas and sheets, but I finally get a few hours of sleep. I wake up with enough time to dress like a freaking nun and show up at the courthouse address Nikolai texted me.

The black pants, red silk blouse, and black suit jacket are fit for a boardroom, but the stiletto heels that show a peep of my bright red toenails is enough style for me to still feel like myself. I see Nikolai before he sees me. He's pacing at the top of the stairs outside the courthouse, dressed in a suit that probably cost as much as my car. He looks like he stepped off a GQ Magazine cover. Even his shaggy hair is carefully styled, and the scruff on his cheeks is shaved clean. The moment he sees me, he stops pacing.

"You are here." He sounds incredulous, which is a bit insulting. If I say I'll be here, I'll be here.

I stop in front of him and pull myself up to my full height, which is a bit more impressive in these gorgeous heels. "I said I would."

He blinks, his gaze dropping to take in my whole outfit before snagging on my feet. He stares so long I get nervous.

"Something wrong, big guy?"

His head whips up and there's confusion in his blue eyes. "I did not know toes could be sexy," he says under his breath.

I grin, thankful my toes have him as off balance as his suit has me. "You know you can't afford me, right?"

He dips his head and takes me by the elbow, steering me into the courthouse. The blast of air conditioning is a welcome change from Florida's steamy morning. "I will owe you my life, Chloe. Name your price."

I think of all the things I want from this man that have nothing to do with money. "Let me think on it."

He opens another door, and I sweep past him into the courtroom with a devilish grin, finding a seat in the front row behind his lawyer. It takes him a moment longer, but he walks up the aisle finally and has a seat in front of me and doesn't look back. Which is a good thing because if the judge asks me questions later on, I'll need my wits about me. I also try not to stare at his ex-wife sitting on the other side of the aisle with her own lawyer because she is the epitome of blond beauty and model perfection.

Pretty much the opposite of me.