Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 31

*Kelsey's POV*

After a hard fought game, we came out victorious. The final score was 2-1, ending in a shootout. I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel, knowing Duncs and Seabs were the biggest jokesters on the team, and that we would most certainly be pranking someone tonight. I went back to the locker room to change into some more comfortable clothes quickly, knowing I'd be stopped by reporters on the way out for comments on the game. I was thankful that Joel was handling the press conference alone tonight.

I dressed quickly, pulling on some black yoga capris and a loose fitting Hawks sweatshirt. Though my baby bump was almost unnoticeable, I didn't want to give the media any opportunity to speculate by wearing something tight.

"Hey baby," I heard, turning around to see Duncan standing there. He discreetly brushed his hand against my ass, standing at an angle so no one would see. "Excited to be my roomie?"

"Of course," I said, giving his hand a quick squeeze before it was noticed.

"I panicked when coach said you were with Patrick and Kris. I would have gotten you out of there." He looked at me with a determined expression, and I knew I was safe with him.

"Go shower, Duncs. I have to do a couple interviews. I'll meet you on the bus, okay?"

"You're not announcing anything important, are you?" He asked, letting a hand drift down to my stomach.

"No, of course not. I'm going to break it off with Rick, and then we can talk about how we're going to do it."

"You're ending it with Rick?" He asked, a smile spreading slowly across his face. He realized I picked him.

"Yes. You won me over the second you kissed me," I said. It was the truth.

Duncs grinned and squeezed my hand. Like clockwork, my phone vibrated in my hoodie pocket. It was a text from Rick.

Can't make it to the doctor's appt. Sorry.

I didn't know how to respond. I had plans of breaking it off before the appointment, but his text felt odd to me. I know he didn't know about Duncan and I, so it was weird that he sent such a bland text. Was I missing something?

I put the text out of my mind and walked up to Ben. He was still mad at me, but I'm not just his friend. I'm his coach, and he scored the shootout goal tonight.

"Benny. Nice goal tonight. Way to pick up the win." I patted him on the back and walked away.

"Great game tonight guys!" I shouted before leaving the locker room. I was almost immediately pulled over by a man followed by a tv camera.

"Great game tonight, coach," the man said to me. "I gotta say, we were all surprised to see Ben Smith get the nod for the shootout so early on. What was behind that?"

"He's been making huge strides in practice. He has the drive to be great and is putting in the work to get there. Both Joel and I thought it was time he got a chance," I answered.

"I understand you coached Ben in Rockford. How does it feel to coach an old player of yours?"

"Honestly, it feels like he and I are right back in Rockford. We still mesh like we used to, and I firmly believe he's the most coachable player in the NHL."

"Lastly, how are you adjusting to being the first woman assistant coach in the NHL?"

"I just came in with the same mindset I had in Rockford. Demand respect. But like in Rockford, I haven't had to demand anything from these guys. The guys treat me like a coach. Gender shouldn't mandate what you can and can't do in life, and I hope I can serve as a role model to any other woman who has the same dream I had. Anything's possible."

"Thanks, coach."

*Later*

"C'mon, let's go!" Brent loudly whispered as we ran away from Hossa's room. We stacked a large pile of bags from the bus in front of his door. Whenever he opened it, the bags would come tumbling into the room and he would be left with a huge mess. We left a stuffed Jonathan Toews doll at the top of the pile, hoping Hossa would think Kaner did it. We all knew Kaner slept with that doll, though he vehemently denied it.

After we got back to the room, Brent clicked on the T.V. and I changed into some pajamas. I walked out and Duncan pulled his shirt off, opting to sleep in a pair of basketball shorts.

"Kels, I'll sleep on the floor, you can take my bed," Brent offered.

"No worries," I said, climbing into bed with Duncan. He leaned over and kissed me.

"God, I've been waiting to do that all damn day," he said, kissing me again. In his haste, he forgot Brent was in the room. He looked on at us, practically horrified.

"Um. One of you care to explain what in the actual fuck just happened?" He asked. I laughed at how freaked out he was.

"Long story short, she's leaving Rick, and we're together," Duncan explained.

"Well, I can see why," Brent said, looking back at the tv. There was a video of Rick walking into a restaurant with a tall blonde who was not me. Underneath the video read "Nash's Mystery Woman?". Another clip came on of them walking into a jewelry store together.

"Over the last few weeks, Rick Nash has been spotted going in and out of places with this woman," the reporter said. "We're unsure of her identity, but judging by the footage it looks like one of the stars of the Rangers has a new woman in his life."

"I'll be right back," I said to Duncan, getting out of bed and storming into the hallway, slamming the door behind me. I had never been so furious in my life. I dialed his number.

"Hey babe," he answered on the first ring.

"Drop that shit with me this second," I nearly shouted into the phone. "How long have you been seeing her, Rick? Has it been weeks like the reporter said? Don't even think you can lie your way out of this. We are so far passed done it's a miracle I haven't already hung up on you."

"Like a month before I met you," he said, letting out a loud sigh.

"So every time you called me baby, told me you loved me, said you would never do anything like that to me, told me you wanted to raise this baby, that was all a lie?!" I was fuming. I sincerely hoped no one on this hotel floor was asleep.

"I don't know what you want me to say," he said casually.

"Fine. You know what I have to say, Rick? Fuck you. I'm glad I picked Duncan." I hung up the phone, deleting him from my contacts. I wanted nothing to do with him. I took a minute to compose myself before going back in.

"Sorry, Kels," Brent said, looking worried. He got up and gave me a hug. I made my way over to Duncan, crawling in bed with him. He held me close.

"I'm sorry baby," he said soothingly as he rubbed my back. "You okay?"

"I will be," I said, kissing him and smiling sadly through the tears that had started to fall.