The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟸𝟼|

Kohl Warren

Today has been dragging on forever.

I've already aced three tests in various classes but my mind keeps drifting back to Leia from last night. She's like a stubborn stain that won't come out, no matter how hard I scrub.

It's annoying how she doesn't even realize the effect she has on me. Like when she almost killed us from her 'great driving' all I wanted to do was kiss her. Psychotic, maybe.

I had to bail early last night because just her gaze alone was enough to give me a raging boner. And don't even get me started on when she accidentally fell on me, and her boobs were practically plastered against my chest. Yeah, that didn't help my situation.

"Your big game is coming up next Friday, it will be an away game, at Greeley," Coach Johnson announces, his voice cutting through the frigid air.

I can feel the cold seeping into my bare feet, the ice clinging to my socks like an unwanted guest.

We're all gathered on the ice, standing in our socks like a bunch of idiots. The other guys look confused, but I know exactly why we're here.

And I wish I didn't, because now all I can think about is her hand in mine, her infectious laughter, and that damn strawberry scent that always seemed to linger around her.

I absentmindedly rub my chest, my eyes involuntarily drifting over to Leia, who's currently holding hands with Mason. Something inside me stirs, a mix of anger and annoyance that I can't quite shake.

"The drill is to get to each cone with your partner and sprint to the next holding hands, but since you are wimps, you can hold your partner's wrist. You will switch off, I'll give an example," Leia explains. She then turns her attention to Mason and gives him some instructions. Mason nods in response.

Leia takes off sprinting to the first cone with Mason's hand in hers. He follows closely behind, and they reach the first cone without any issues.

But as Mason sprints to the next cone, he doesn't stop fast enough, causing them both to tumble to the ground. Mason ends up on top of Leia, but she just pats his back before they both get back up. Ari and the other guys start laughing, but I just clench my jaw in frustration.

"Dude, ease up on the death grip, that actually hurts," Kateb grumbles, causing me to reluctantly release his wrist as he winces in pain.

"Alright, I've marked out cones for each of you, let's get this drill going," Leia declares, taking Mason's hand with a smile that could rival a giddy schoolgirl.

I grab Kateb's arm and take off towards the cone, but he starts lagging behind. He stumbles and falls, but I refuse to let go, dragging him along until we reach the next cone, where he ends up sliding on his back.

"What's your problem, man?" Kateb snaps as he gets back on his feet and strides over to me, looking up with a scowl.

I simply raise an eyebrow in response, my face betraying no emotion, while Mason steps in between us.

"Mason, you pair up with Kateb. Warren, you're with me," Leia says, clearly annoyed as Kateb shoots me a glare before begrudgingly teaming up with Mason.

Leia skates over to me, her messy bun lopsided, her eyes filled with concern. She hooks her arm through mine, and I raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"That's why you're mad, right? Because I held your hand yesterday?" She muses as we skate towards the first cone.

If only it were that simple. I wish I could pinpoint the exact reason for my anger, but it's like trying to catch a greased pig.

A loud thud interrupts our conversation.

I glance over to see Miller and Owen sprawled out on the ice, and I have to bite my tongue to stifle a laugh. Leia releases my arm and glides over to them, ready to dish out some icy justice.

"They never learn, do they? Ice Queen's not going to take it easy on them now," Tim chuckles, and the rest of us join in, even Coach Johnson turns away to avoid witnessing the impending punishment Leia is about to deliver.

Ronald grunts, "Those poor saps won't hear the end of it from her," as we all exchange looks of sympathy for Miller and Owen. Leia towers over their sleeping forms, a hockey stick clenched in her fist.

Ari glances at Coach Johnson, concern etched on her face. "Should we maybe stop her?" she asks tentatively.

Coach Johnson raises an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "Do you want to be the one to tell her?" he challenges.

Ari shakes her head fervently, silently praying for Miller and Owen's safety. Without warning, Leia swings the hockey stick, connecting solidly with Owen's back. He jolts awake, a pained expression crossing his face as he gingerly massages his injured back.

The rest of us wince in sympathy, grateful that we're not the ones on the receiving end of Leia's wrath.

"Are you out of your mind?" Owen shouts at Leia, his voice dripping with pain and anger.

But before Miller can even try to get away, Leia swings the hockey stick and smacks the back of Miller's knees, causing him to tumble onto the ice, face first.

"Coach, this is straight up assault!" Miller yells out to Coach Johnson. The whole team erupts into laughter at his dramatics. Coach Johnson just shrugs, pretending not to see anything. He lets out a low whistle as Leia continues to chase Miller and Ant around the rink, their attempts to evade her failing miserably as they keep slipping and falling on the ice. Somehow, in the midst of all the chaos, my anger dissipates, and I find myself doubled over in laughter.

The sight of Miller fake limping in the locker room only adds to the hilarity, as the rest of us join in on the act, pretending to limp along with him as he shoots a glare at Leia.

"You okay man?" Miller asks Owen, his hand rubbing his back in a futile attempt to comfort himself.

I shake my head, knowing they never learn their lesson.

"No, I'm not fuckin' okay." Owen snaps back, both of them glaring at Leia.

"You boys better not lie about being okay. Are you lying?" Leia asks with a smile that sends chills down my spine.

Miller stops limping, Owen stops rubbing his back, and they quickly make their way out of the locker room, avoiding Leia's gaze.

"Next time, go easy on them," Coach Johnson advises.

She nods, but we all exchange knowing glances, silently agreeing that there's no way she's going to go easy on any of us.

(How do we feel about this chapter?) —>

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