The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟻𝟿|

Kohl Warren

I slide my trusty helmet on, feeling the oppressive heat of the locker room wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket.

The guys are huddled around Coach Johnson, surprisingly subdued and serious for once.

It's obvious that this game is a do-or-die moment for our chances at making it to the playoffs.

I can't afford any distractions right now, especially not with Leia's promise of a special reward hanging over my head if I pull off a win tonight.

The way she whispered those enticing words to me was enough to make my pulse race, but I'll keep my desires in check until the final buzzer sounds.

"Where's Coach Welsh?" Kateb pipes up, his eyes scanning the room while Ari just grins mischievously.

"She's decided to cheer you guys on as a fan tonight, instead of being the Ice Queen," Ari chimes in with a cheerful tone, earning a round of laughter from the team.

I just offer a small smile in response.

"Alright, listen up, guys," Coach Johnson interjects, his no-nonsense demeanor cutting through the tension in the air.

We all nod in agreement as I take a seat on the bench, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations resting heavily on my shoulders. Coach's gaze lands on me, waiting for some inspirational words.

"Any wise words, Captain?" he prompts, and all eyes turn to me, their red and white helmets adding an extra layer of seriousness to the moment.

"Willowbrook on three," I blurt out, not quite sure what else to say. The team and Coach Johnson erupt into laughter, causing me to let out a resigned sigh.

"One... two... three," I count off, rallying the team as we gather our gloved hands in the center, raising them high in unison while chanting, "Willowbrook!"

We burst out of the locker room, the rush of adrenaline fueling our every move as we charge through the double doors and onto the ice, the crisp air hitting my face like a slap in the freezing cold arena.

The deafening cheers from the bleachers wash over us like a tidal wave of excitement, even the usually half-asleep old folks are on their feet, shouting at the top of their lungs.

As I skate closer to the barricades, my eyes widen with surprise and my heart pounds in my chest like a drum. There, standing out in the crowd of fans, is Leia, proudly sporting a red and white jersey with my initials, KW, and my jersey number, twenty-four, emblazoned on the front.

A grin spreads across my face, unable to contain my joy at seeing her there, cheering me on.

Leia's curly black hair bounces with every cheer, her emerald eyes sparkling as they meet mine. She winks at me, sending a jolt of excitement through me.

Beside her stands Athena, hurling colorful insults at Ant, who seems completely unfazed by her fiery words. Rocky is there too, munching on a bag of popcorn like he's at the movies.

I skate to the center of the ice, locking eyes with Leia as she continues to cheer me on. Her support fills me with an overwhelming sense of happiness, like I'm floating on cloud nine. She looks stunning in that jersey, and a mischievous part of me wants to rip it off right then and there. But I shake my head, reminding myself to keep my focus and take the game seriously.

As the opposing team readies themselves on the ice, there's no time for niceties or small talk. We're here to play, not socialize. Their jerseys are green and white, but honestly, I can't even remember the name of their school. It doesn't matter though, because we're sure we'll come out on top.