The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

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Leia Welsh

"Wait, seriously? The hockey team? Are you sure about this? After all you've been through, are you okay?" Ari's questioning eyes scan me up and down, causing my head to spin with the rapid-fire questions.

"Calm down, Ari. It'll be good for me, plus I get those extra credits, and mula." I reply, winking at her as she playfully smacks my arm and rolls her eyes.

"Now I see why you're really doing it," she chuckles, while Henson scoffs in the background, but I choose to ignore his presence.

"Did any of them notice you?" Ari's concern is endearing, but I brush it off casually.

"Why would they? I'm just a nobody now. I doubt even my old fans would recognize me," I shrug, not really caring. Being a normal student is a nice change, even if the classes are a drag.

"No more hockey talk, Ari. Time to hit the road," I say, glancing at the time on my phone and realizing we might be running late. Before we can leave, Henson leans in to kiss Ari on the lips, but she turns her head at the last second, causing him to awkwardly land a peck on her cheek.

I'm torn between laughing at the awkwardness and feeling secondhand embarrassment for the guy, who am I kidding, I laughed.

As we step out of the car, I take a moment to gaze at Ari's childhood home – and my home for a long period of time. It's just as I remember it – a modest two-story house with a modern exterior that screams middle-class rather than wealthy. The gray siding is complemented by a lawn that's a mix of vibrant green and patches of brown grass.

"Don't spill the beans about me coaching the hockey team," I caution Ari, who throws her hands up in mock surrender.

"Like I would ever do that. She'd give us both a lecture, and who needs that?"

We enter the house, and the familiar scent of banana bread hits my nostrils, sending a wave of excitement through me.

I make a beeline for the kitchen, and my suspicions are confirmed – Miranda has baked banana bread. But judging by the look on her face, she's not going to let me have a slice until she's fed Baxter, which makes me groan in protest.

"Well, well, if it isn't Leia," Miranda greets me with a tight hug before turning her attention to Ari. Miranda, Ari's mom, could pass as her sister, except for the auburn hair that sets them apart. I notice the absence of Jorge, Ari's dad, based on the vacant rocking chair.

"I've missed you girls. Spill the tea – how are the boys at Willowbrook treating you?" Miranda wiggles her eyebrows mischievously as Ari chuckles.

"Tea? Look at you trying to be hip," I tease, earning a glare from Miranda as she swats my hand away from the banana bread.

"So, have any unlucky souls taken pity on Leia and asked her out yet?" Miranda quips, but I know it's all in good fun.

Our banter may seem harsh to outsiders, but it's our unique way of showing affection.

We've always talked to each other like this, it's like our entire relationship is based on banter, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"She's coaching the men's hockey team instead," Ari replies, her eyes widening as she quickly covers her mouth.

I know Miranda well enough to know that this revelation will not go over well. I race around the counter, just in case she decides to take out her frustration on me.

"Listen, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision," I offer, trying to diffuse the tension.

Miranda's glare could freeze water, but surprisingly, she sits down on the kitchen stool without a word. I raise an eyebrow in surprise – isn't she going to twist my ear and give me a lecture?