Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 3

*Kelsey's POV*

I stepped outside of the locker room. The boys were getting changed to go lift, and I needed to process what just happened. Patrick Sharp was just flirting with me. After he finished his down and backs, he skated past me and smacked me on the ass with his stick. I didn't know what to think. Part of me was happy - I mean, after all, he is the sexiest man on ice. But the other part of me knew none of this was right. I'm his coach, first of all. I may be a woman (a good looking one at that), but I demand respect in the workplace. Second of all, I learned my lesson with Kris. Never date a hockey player. The stress is too much to handle. Third of all, Patrick is a married man. I told myself a long time ago that I would never go down that road.

*Patrick's POV*

"Benny, did you see the ass on that girl?" I asked Ben Smith, elbowing him in the side.

"Yeah man, she's gorgeous. Too bad you can't have her," Ben said in a cocky tone.

"Yeah? Who says I can't?" I turned to face Ben. He may not be a rookie, but he knows better than to get cocky with me.

"Do you really think Q is going to allow you to date the assistant coach? And I'm sure your wife would be less than enthused."

I didn't know how to respond. I knew he was right, but that didn't change my mind. My relationship with Abby had been less than okay for awhile now. I knew she wasn't faithful. She never had been. The guys tried to tell me, but I married her anyway. I thought our problems would fix themselves after we had kids, but if anything, they got worse. Now my daughters got to watch mommy and daddy fight every night I was home. I would walk away from Abby in a heartbeat if I could have Kelsey.

*Kelsey's POV*

A hand waving in front of my face brought me back to Earth. Brianna was standing in front of me.

"Congrats on the job babycakes!" My best friend pulled me into a hug, and I couldn't help smiling at her endless energy.

"Thanks girly. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Well, when you're married to the captain," she laughed. "Seriously though, Seabs said there was some drama at practice?"

"Oh God. He saw that?" I had secretly hoped the whole ordeal had gone unnoticed. I really didn't want to lose my job on the first day. Bri could see the worry on my face.

"Girl. Chill. He just said he saw you yelling at Sharpie. If anything, Q is going to praise you for that."

"No, Bri. I, um...I told him to do 50 down and backs, and he told me that I have an edge and that he likes his women feisty. But that's not all! On his last down and back, he smacked me in the ass with his stick!" Bri could see I was freaking out and laughed.

"Girl. Relax! The Patrick Sharp obviously has a thing for you. Don't stress about the job. Remember who I'm married to? And after everything you went through with Kris, you owe it to yourself to explore this. No, actually, I am forcing you to explore this."

"Bri! He's married!!"

"Kelsey. Just trust me on this," Bri said before walking into the locker room.

I turned to follow her when the door opened. Patrick walked out...and right into me. He steadied me, letting his hands fall down to my waist.

"Sorry," he said with a smile that send chills through me. He looked me up and down. He nodded his head approvingly and made his way to the gym, turning back to wink before he disappeared.