Fangs Beneath the Ice

Chapter 13: The coach’s crazy plan

WREN’S POV

I frowned when I saw Asher's expression change because he suddenly looked like he was about to faint right there in front of us. The color had drained from his face, and his eyes were wide with shock and fear.

Fear? I scoffed.

That caught my attention because Asher wasn't someone who easily showed fear, and seeing him look this terrified made me wonder just how important this scout thing was to him. He clenched both his hands tightly, his jaw tightening as he stared at Coach Daniels.

“Coach, you can't do this to me,” he said, his voice low.

Coach Daniels sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Calm down. I didn't tell them you're injured.”

Asher's eyes snapped toward him. “What?”

“I only sent the names of the entire team. I didn't mention that you broke your arm.”

I watched Asher's shoulders loosen slightly, but he still looked tense, like he was trying his best not to panic. “But if they see me like this, they'll know.”

“I know.” Coach Daniels nodded. “That's why I'm telling you not to panic. I might have an idea that could make you appear like you're not injured.”

Asher stared at him for a few seconds before asking, “What kind of idea?”

Coach Daniels didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes slowly moved toward me, and the moment I noticed it, I frowned.

Why was he looking at me?

He continued staring at me without saying anything, and the longer he did, the more uncomfortable I became. I narrowed my eyes at him, already knowing that whatever was going through that man's head, I didn't want to hear it.

No.

I slowly shook my head. “Whatever you're thinking, Coach, don't.”

His eyebrows lifted. “I haven't even said anything.”

“I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The look adults give when they're about to make a terrible decision and somehow expect me to participate in it.”

Asher looked between us, clearly confused. “What does this have to do with her?”

I immediately pointed at him. “Don't drag me into whatever nonsense you're about to suggest.”

Coach Daniels walked toward me and gently held my hand, making me stare down at it for a second before looking back at him.

“Coach…”

“Wren, listen to me.”

“No.”

“You haven't even heard me yet.”

“And I don't need to.”

He sighed like he already knew arguing with me wasn't going to be easy. “If you and Asher agree to this, I can save his career.”

My expression changed slightly at those words. “Asher's career?”

Coach nodded. “And I can help you too.”

I frowned, suddenly suspicious. “Help me with what?”

“Your image.”

I blinked. “My image?”

“Yes. Right now, people are already talking about the two of you. If we handle this properly, you can both come out of this looking better.”

I slowly pulled my hand away from his and stared at him. “I don't like the sound of this.”

Asher frowned too, looking just as suspicious as I was. “What exactly are you suggesting, Coach?”

Coach Daniels looked at him. “I'm suggesting that you two work together.”

Asher's face twisted immediately. “Work together?”

“Yes.”

He looked at me, then back at Coach Daniels, and the expression on his face made me want to laugh. “Coach, are you asking her to be my babysitter?”

I scoffed. “Don't worry. If I ever agree to babysit you, I'll probably kill you before the first day is over.”

Asher glared at me. “See? This is why I don't want her anywhere near me.”

“I'd break your other hand if you keep talking.”

Coach Daniels suddenly clapped his hands together. “Exactly!”

Both of us stared at him.

“What?” I asked, wondering what the hell he was so excited about.

He smiled. “I want you two to stay together until the day the scouts arrive.”

Silence.

I stared at him, trying to understand if I had heard him correctly, while Asher stared at him like the man had completely lost his mind. Then I slowly turned toward Asher, and he was looking at me with the same horrified expression I probably had on my face.

“Together?” I repeated.

“Yes.”

“F-for a week?” my hands clenched tightly.

“Yes.”

“You're insane.”

Coach Daniels ignored me and continued talking like he hadn't just suggested the worst thing imaginable. “You are the only player on the team who's currently at Asher's level. You knows how to play aggressively and defensively, and you can help him adjust to using his other hand. If he practices enough, he might be able to stabilize himself before the scouts arrive.”

Asher looked down at his injured arm, his expression becoming serious again. “You want me to play with my other hand?”

“Not play an actual match. Train. Get comfortable enough that if they test your abilities, you won't look completely helpless.”

Asher clenched his jaw, and I could see how badly he wanted this. That was the problem. I knew exactly what this opportunity meant to him, and I hated the fact that Coach Daniels had found the one thing that could make it difficult for me to say no.

I looked at Asher for a moment before turning back to Coach Daniels.

“No.”

Asher spoke at the exact same time.

“No.”

Coach Daniels blinked at both of us. “You didn't even think about it.”

“I did,” I said.

Asher nodded. “I agree with her.”

I looked at him immediately. “Don't agree with me.”

“I'm agreeing that you're unbearable, damn it.” He gritted his teeth.

“Good. We're finally agreeing on something.” I crossed my legs.

Coach Daniels sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You two are impossible.”

“I would rather jump into a volcano than spend another week with him,” I said, folding my arms tightly.

Coach's eyebrows suddenly rose. “Another week?”

I froze.

His eyes moved between us, and I immediately realized what I had just said.

“So you two are planning on spending a week together?”

My face heated instantly. “No!” The word came out far too quickly, and Asher's mouth twitched as he tried not to smile.

I glared at him. “Don't.”

“I didn't say anything.”

Coach Daniels looked amused now, which only made me more irritated. “Then what's the problem?”

“It irritates me that I'm already spending an entire week in school with him!”

“That's not what you said.”

“I don't care what I said!” I yelled.

Coach Daniels suddenly clapped his hands together again. “Fine. Then let's make this simple.”

I narrowed my eyes at him because somehow, whenever Coach Daniels said something like that, it usually meant things were about to become even worse.

He pointed at me. “You help Asher train for one week.”

I shook my head. “No.”

“You help him prepare for the scouts.”

“No again, coach.” I shook my head.

“You make sure he doesn't embarrass himself.”

“Absolutely not.” That wasn't my damn business.

“And in return, I'll owe you a favor.”

My ears practically jumped at those words, and I stopped arguing.

“A favor?”

Coach Daniels nodded. “Anything you want.”

I stared at him.

Anything?

My wolf suddenly stirred inside me. ‘Take it.’

I frowned. ‘No.’

‘He said anything, Wren.’

I glanced at Coach Daniels again. He was waiting patiently for my answer, and when I looked at Asher, I found him watching me suspiciously, as if he already knew I was considering it.

I looked back at Coach Daniels, and slowly, a smirk spread across my face.

“Deal.”