The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟸𝟽|

Leia Welsh

October is finally here, thank goodness.

September dragged on forever. With the boys' hockey game just three days away, I've been cracking the whip on them to make sure they're in top form–

"Why are we here, Leia?" Ari questions, taking a sip of her slushy and eyeing the players on the ice.

I brought Ari along because I didn't want to leave her alone at the boys' practice. I had a sneaky feeling that Tim would keep trying to charm her, and I wasn't about to let that happen. Instead of going to practice, I dragged Ari here with me, at Iverton University.

"Just wanted to chat with the coach about something," I reply, brushing off Ari's inquisitive looks and focusing on the players as they warm up.

Perched in the stands, I observe as they skate and run through their scrimmage.

They're not as aggressive as they were when they faced off against us. Their movements are smooth and precise, showcasing their skills. If they had played like this during our match, they would have come out on top.

"We aren't exactly holding a practice for outsiders' eyes," Coach Mathews shouts from the ice, his voice cutting through the chilly air as every player turns their attention towards me and Ari.

"I'm from Willowbrook university and I just wanted to ask you something," I shout back, as the players start to whisper amongst themselves.

Coach Mathews looks slightly irritated, but ultimately skates towards us. I stand up and make my way to the rink entrance, the coach following suit and staring at me and Ari until he finally realizes who I am.

"You're Coach Welsh, right?" he asks, his surprise evident in his tone. I feel a small twinge of satisfaction blossom in my chest by the fact that people are starting to refer to me as Coach Welsh, even if it catches me off guard.

I raise an eyebrow, my lips curling into a smirk as I reply, "Yes, I wanted to ask you if you were interested–"

I stand there, arms crossed, watching as the hockey player who once gave me that broken stick saunters over. His helmet is off now, revealing a pretty remarkable face – brown eyes, brown hair, dazzling smile, tall and broad-shouldered. Handsome.

He extends his hand, "Adam Henderson."

I don't bother shaking it. Instead, I cut straight to the chase. "Anyways, I wanted to ask if you'd mind running a friendly

scrimmage with WB tomorrow?" I say, barely concealing my hatred for them.

Ari, who's been standing behind me this whole time, lets out a squeal of excitement.

"No," Coach Mathews says flatly, causing me to furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Why don't we hear her out, Coach Mathews?" Adam says as he pats the coach's back, causing Coach Mathews to slightly flinch.

I can't help but feel a sense of alertness at the interaction.

"Okay, continue on," The coach says, his tone betraying a hint of reluctance.

As I observe the scene unfolding before me, I can't help but wonder about Adam's motives. There's something about him that exudes power and influence.

It's clear that he holds sway over Iverton's team, even the coach seems wary of him. It dawns on me that his friendly façade may just be a mask for something darker lurking beneath the surface.

"Smile at them," Ari whispers to me from behind, her voice barely audible to anyone else.

I roll my eyes at her suggestion. As if a smile could fix the tension in the arena.