Stuck With The Hockey god

He's Here

Evie’s POV

I stood outside the rink and watched Lila and the boys doing shooting drills. A metal door slammed in the building closest to the rink.

Mateo froze and dropped his stick. He bent forward and covered his ears.

I rushed over and dropped to my knee beside him on the ice. “Hey, Mateo. It’s okay. Just a door. Nothing bad. You hear me?"

He didn’t answer. His eyes were squeezed shut and his breaths were quick and shallow.

"Listen to me, remember what we practiced. Deep breaths. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. Do it slowly.”

He opened his eyes slightly, as if he wanted to be certain I was the one talking to him.

"Come, Mateo. Deep breaths."

He nodded and started to breath in and out slowly. Color returned to his cheeks after a minute.

“Good job,” I whispered. “You’re safe here.”

"Thank you, Evie." He picked up his hockey stick and skated forward to rejoin the shooting drill.

From the other side of the rink, Lila gave me thumbs up. I smiled back and returned to the sidelines.

Ever since Mateo came here, I had learned that even the slightest sudden noise made him lose control. Apparently, his stepfather used to yell at him and slam the door until he ran away from home.

Riley skated over next. His face was red. “Evie, that jerk Kyle said my shots sucks. I want to hit him."

I raised an eyebrow. “Why do you want to hit him?"

"He's mocking my shots."

“I will talk to Kyle to stop being mean to you. You must never be violent to anyone here. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

"Now call Kyle."

Riley skated on the rink to fetch Kyle. I told him to leave Riley alone and then watched them resume training. This place gave me so much joy. It was my safe space, but Tristan Sterling was about to intrude in it.

Tristan.

The name brought back uneasy memories. I still thought about his viral clip. The way he snatched that phone and smashed it. What came over him?

I never knew him as violent. We used to spend hours together in the college library. He would stare blankly at me as I explained to him. He always gave me one-word answers. At first I hated the sight of him.

Then I began to pay attention to the way his hair fell over his forehead. The way his blue eyes flicked up when he finally understood something. The way my heart tripped every time our hands brushed on the table.

It was a stupid crush. He never even asked my last name. He knew nothing about me.

“Evie? Can we talk?”

I looked up and saw Harry, one of the parents, approaching with his hands in his pockets. His brows were drawn together.

"Sure."

He glanced around like someone might overhear him. "I heard about the NHL guy is coming here. The one who smashed that kid’s phone.”

I kept my face neutral. “Yes.”

“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with my son being around him. In that video… he looked out of control. Like a mad man. What if he snaps here? Around the boys?”

I imagined Tristan reacting like that around Mateo. It would scare the boy to hell.

“I get it,” I said. “The staff will be right there the whole time. Many of these kids have seen worse at home than a bad temper. They need someone who shows up and tries. Even if he’s messy. And they would definitely learn valuable skills from him."

Harry pursed his lips. "So it's not a problem."

"No, I don't think it is."

"How are you so sure he’ll behave?”

“I think he has to. His career depends on it.”

He exhaled. “Okay. But if he ever misbehaves. . ."

“You can take it up with the director."

"Fine. Thank you." He turned away.

Seconds after he left, my phone buzzed with a call. It was a strange number.

"Hello?"

“Is that Miss Monroe?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

"I'm Delgado, Mr Sterling's agent.” He sounded tired.

I guess he was drained after trying so hard to fix the problems his client caused.

“I understand you're the coordinator at the hockey center."

"That's correct."

"Good, Mr. Sterling will be there this afternoon. Around three. I need you to keep the crowd away from him. No press. No bystanders. Only the kids he came to work with."

“Alright. We’ll be ready.”

“Good. And Evie? He’s not good with teaching. He doesn't have the patience. But he knows what’s at stake. Please help him in any way you can."

“I will.”

He hung up.

I sighed. Three o’clock. Less than two hours. I would have to support Tristan Sterling again. I wondered if he would recognise me. . .

I pushed him off my mind and walked back to the rink. Becca was on the sideline, watching the kids disperse after their drills. She looked at me excitedly.

“The superstar arrives today.”

I shrugged. “Yeah.”

"You don't sound eager to see him."

"Why should I be? He'll be bringing so much attention and pressure to us here."

She rolled her eyes. "You don't get it. Tristan coming here is a big deal. God, he's so gorgeous."

"Just so you know, he's not happy to be here."

"Doesn't matter, but don't pretend you’re not excited. Every woman in Toronto would kill to be in the same room with him."

"Not me. I don't find men who struggle with their emotions hot."

“You're just trying to be different. I bet he’s used to girls throwing themselves at him."

"Whatever."

Becca laughed. "You’re blushing.”

“I’m not.” My cheeks tingled. “I don’t care about Tristan Sterling.”

"Good. That's one less competition for me," Becca said with a wink.

"Look, I have work to do." I walked away from her and began to make arrangements for Tristan's arrival.

I wondered what would Becca would think if I told her Tristan and I were in the same stats class. That I tutored him.

There was no point telling her, though. Knowing her, she would use it to her advantage, somehow.

I went to the security unit and told them of Tristan's imminent arrival.

"Keep the gates closed to journalists and uninvited guests. We don't want Tristan to get overwhelmed."

"Noted," the head of the security unit replied.

I looked down at my watch. Tristan would be here in ten minutes. Wow! So close.

I adjusted my pants and strolled to the front entrance. On my way, I saw Harry talking to a group of parents. He was far away, so I couldn't hear him, but I was sure he was talking about Tristan.

Harry's concerns were valid, but he needed to calm down! Why not give Tristan the benefit of doubt?

I looked around to be sure everything was in place. Jeez! I hated this whole thing made me agitated.

"He's here!" Someone called from the security unit.

I licked my lips and swallowed. It was time to see Tristan Sterling again.