by Avon Gale
“Yeah. He gave me that option when I donated too.” Xavier tapped another brick, one right next to Shane’s. “Did Riv put yours next to Coach Cally’s on purpose?”
“Probably. Riv’s a romantic at heart. A third of those books are romance novels. I’m not even lying.” Shane pushed off the wall and turned to look at the bricks. He snorted when he spotted a brick sporting the name of the Ravens’ rival goalie. His brick said, “Isaac Drake, #1, Goalie, Spartanburg Spitfires.”
“Did Drake really put #1 on there?”
“Yeah, it’s his number,” Xavier explained. “But it looks like he’s taunting us. Which, it’s Drake, so he probably is.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t put Two-Time Kelly Cup Winning Goalie on there.” Shane couldn’t say he was happy that the Spitfires had won the Kelly Cup again, but it was nice that Drake got a victory, since he was injured in the playoffs the year before. Not that Shane would ever say that. The Spitfires were still their rivals.
“Well, technically St. Savoy won the first year. But yeah, I’m sure he tried to add that. There probably wasn’t enough room.” Xavier shook his head. “When we win, we’ll have to see if Riv will cover up Drake’s stupid brick with a Ravens’ championship banner or something.”
“That’s thinking like a hockey captain and archrival.” Shane laughed and knocked him with his shoulder. He finished his water and sought out Troy, who was across the room breaking down empty boxes and arranging them in stacks of similar size. It made Shane think about jigsaw puzzles, and he grinned to himself.
“I don’t want my name to be anonymous.”
Blinking at the non sequitur, Shane turned to look at Xavier. “What?”
“On my brick.” Xavier’s face was set and determined. “I donated too. River asked what I wanted on it and I said… I said I’d let him know.” His fingers went to his arm, and he rubbed lightly over the tattoo there. “But I don’t want it to say anonymous. I want it to say Xavier Matthews, #23, Captain, Asheville Ravens.”
Shane had gotten to know Xavier well enough by then to know that the shit with his family was messed up. “Your family still dead set on the conversion thing?” Xavier had talked a little about trying to come to a mediation with his family, mainly because he missed seeing his younger sister.
“Oh, now they’re saying as long as I’m celibate and no one ever knows I’m gay, I might be allowed to see my sister again.” Xavier reached out again and traced an empty brick.
“That’s tough, man.” At least now it made sense why Xavier was out to the team and seemed to be comfortable with it, but freaked out in public like that night last season in the bar.
“It’s stupid,” Xavier muttered. He shook himself and gave a rueful shrug. “I’ll deal with it. Sorry. I just have a lot to think about before the season starts.”
“Don’t be sorry. We’re friends,” Shane reminded him. He patted Xavier on the shoulder. “And you can talk to me about this stuff whenever. You know that.”
“Yeah. I just don’t know what to say.” Xavier finished his water. “Thanks, Shane. I’m happy for you and Cally, by the way. Even if I’m not sure you won’t kill each other living together.”
“Yeah, well, we’re doing okay so far.”
On the way back from picking up the rest of his stuff from San Diego, Troy had looked at Shane and said, “How about I just bring this stuff to my condo?”
Shane assumed he meant that because it was late by the time they got back to Asheville and they’d been in the car for a number of days, agreed and said they’d worry about it the next day.
Troy’s response had of course been a scowl, followed by, “Or you could just leave it there. Your stuff. And you.”
It took Shane a few seconds to work out what was happening and that Troy was—in his Troy way—asking Shane to move in with him. Shane agreed, on the stipulation that he not be required to help Troy finish that damn red-square puzzle.
Which he did anyway, because fine, it was kind of relaxing. Whatever. No one needed to know about that.
The daylight was gone, and everyone was dispersed amidst River’s and Ben’s effusive thanks. Well, River doled out the effusive thanks. Ben shook hands. Less demonstrative, maybe, but no less genuine.
They’d driven the Rabbit to the store mainly because of the convertible, though Shane thought it was probably so they didn’t sweat on the Audi’s leather seats. Still, with the sun down, it was a pleasant drive back to the condo. Shane recounted the conversation he had with Xavier, and Troy told him about the so-called scandal and Xavier’s father.
“Man, this is not easy for him, is it?” Shane idled the car at a light, and his stomach growled. The pizza Riv provided had gone fast, and it felt like hours since he’d eaten.
“No,” Troy agreed. “It isn’t.” He tilted his face up, eyes closed, and his hand migrated to Shane’s knee. “Maybe having someplace like the Umbrella Center around will help.”
“Aw.” Shane grinned at him as he shifted the car into gear. “You’re a softie at heart, Cally.”
“Fuck off.” Troy smiled without opening his eyes.
Shane turned his attention to the road and enjoyed the relatively cool breeze and the Asheville night. The moon was bright in the sky. He also enjoyed Troy’s hand, which moved slowly up his knee toward his thigh, and the promise of what would happen when they got home. He thought about the upcoming season and his new job, Alani’s scheduled visit later in the month, and the Umbrella Center opening—all the things to look forward to.
It had been just about this time last year when he learned the Gulls weren’t re-signing him, and now look at him—an assistant coaching job, a boyfriend, a new home, and an unwanted puzzle hobby. A lot of potential—and this time Shane knew he was going to live up to it.
And then some.
More from Avon Gale
A Scoring Chances Novel
Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, twenty-year-old Lane Courtnall’s future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He’s put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship.
Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most.
A Scoring Chances Novel
After last season’s heartbreaking loss to his hockey team’s archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team’s enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.
Ethan has no hesitations. As fearless as his position demands, he rushes into things without much thought for the consequences. Though they eventually warm to their passionate new bond, it doesn’t come without complications. For their relationship to work, Ethan will need to learn when to keep the gloves on and let someone help him—and Riley will have to learn it’s okay to let someone past his defenses.
A Scoring Chances Novel
A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time behind the bench, as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, th
e man who caused Max’s accident.
After spending years guilt-ridden for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.
Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime trying to forget, but also a sleazy GM who is determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets a player, Misha revisits his darkest days, and that might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.
A Scoring Chances Novel
Spartanburg Spitfires’ goalie and captain, Isaac Drake, ended last season with an unexpected trip to the playoffs. He’s found a home and a family with his coach and mentor, Misha Samarin, and he’s looking forward to making a serious run for the Kelly Cup. But things take an interesting turn when Isaac’s archnemesis, Laurent St. Savoy, is traded to the Spitfires. After Laurent’s despicable behavior in the playoffs last year, Isaac wants nothing to do with him—no matter how gorgeous he is. But that changes when Isaac discovers the reason for Laurent’s attitude.
Laurent St. Savoy grew up the only son of a legendary NHL goalie in a household rife with abuse. He was constantly treated like a disappointment, on and off the ice. When a desperate attempt to escape his father’s tyranny sends him to the Spitfires, the last thing Laurent wants is to make friends. But there’s something about Isaac Drake that he can’t resist. Laurent has an opportunity to explore his sexuality for the first time, but he’s cracking under end-of-the-season pressures. When facing the playoffs and a rivalry turned personal vendetta, Isaac’s not sure he’s enough to hold on to Laurent—or their relationship.
Ryder Waites will do anything to keep the tiny town of Gallows Grove, Kentucky, from vanishing off the map—even sell his family’s whiskey recipe to Bluegrass Bourbon in Lexington. Hopeful that the larger company can provide necessary improvements to the distillery, Ryder aims ultimately to get Gallows Grove on the Bourbon Trail… and bring in much-needed tourism revenue. But to keep producing Hanged Man Bourbon in Gallows Grove, he’ll have to convince company liaison, unbearably stuffy and seriously hot Adam Keller, that he’s worth the investment.
Adam comes from an old-money family, but he’s determined to make his own way in the world. When he’s sent to Gallows Grove, he questions the life choices that led him to a rented room in a funeral home in a town full of macabre-themed businesses. And he doesn’t know what to make of Ryder, the descendant of bootleggers, who’s on a mission to save his strange town from extinction. When Adam and Ryder put aside their initial mistrust, the results are as smooth as good whiskey. But after Adam’s assignment ends, he’ll have to decide if small-town life and a future with Ryder are to his taste.
Readers love the Scoring Chances series by Avon Gale
Breakaway
“I’d seriously give this a 7 of 5 stars if I could… it was really, really amazing.”
—The Blogger Girls
Save of the Game
“…I can’t wait to see what Avon Gale comes up with to top this! I highly recommend!”
—Joyfully Jay
Power Play
“Great storyline, fantastic characters, brilliant witty and sharp writing, HOCKEY, and some pretty hot sex, too. This book is NOT to be missed.”
—Diverse Reader
Empty Net
“These guys are just so, so great. I have no doubt this book will become the fave so far of many readers.”
—The Novel Approach
AVON GALE wrote her first story at the age of seven, about a “Space Hat” hanging on a rack and waiting for that special person to come along and purchase it—even if it was a bit weirder than the other hats. Like all of Avon’s characters, the space hat did get its happily ever after—though she’s pretty sure it was with a unicorn. She likes to think her vocabulary has improved since then, but the theme of quirky people waiting for their perfect match is still one of her favorites.
Avon grew up in the southern United States and now lives with her very patient husband in a liberal Midwestern college town. When she’s not writing, she’s either doing some kind of craft project that makes a huge mess, reading, watching horror movies, listening to music, or yelling at her favorite hockey team to get it together already. Avon is always up for a road trip, adores Kentucky bourbon, thinks nothing is as stress relieving as a good rock concert, and will never say no to candy.
At one point, Avon was the mayor of both Jazzercise and Lollicup on Foursquare. This tells you basically all you need to know about her as a person.
Website: www.avongalewrites.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @avongalewrites
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avongalewrites
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/avongalewrites
By Avon Gale
Conversation Hearts
Let the Wrong Light In
Old Acquaintance
Whiskey Business
SCORING CHANCES
Breakaway
Save of the Game
Power Play
Empty Net
Coach’s Challenge
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Coach’s Challenge
© 2017 Avon Gale.
Cover Art
© 2017 Aaron Anderson.
[email protected]
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
ISBN: 978-1-63533-765-5
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63533-766-2
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017903378
Published June 2017
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America