Love's Sporting Chance: Volume 1: 6 Romantic sporting novellas

by Janice Thompson

  “Oh, I’d say you’re a great example, judging from what I’ve seen. You’re awesome with those boys. And I was just kidding about the showering part.” An impish smile turned up the corners of those beautiful lips. “Sort of, anyway.”

  She helped him clean up their mess and then stretched her back. “Man. I think I’m done for the night, if you don’t mind. I have an early morning. I landed a big account. Price-Wise Pharmacy. We’re doing a series of billboards for them and I have to come up with a new logo and jingle.”

  “I just bought nasal spray from Price-Wise this morning.” Kevin swiped his nose with the back of his hand. “Ironic.”

  “You needed nasal spray because of the mold?” Her nose wrinkled. “We’ll tackle that next.”

  “You’re tackling my nasal spray?”

  “Um, no. We’ll figure out a way to tackle the mold.” She yawned. “Anyway, I have to be up early, and I’m starving. I need to get home and eat, then hit the hay.”

  “I’m hungry, too.” He paused and tried to work up the courage to say, “Hey, you want to grab a burger? There’s a great place a couple of blocks from here.” Just about the time he opened his mouth to do so, however, Kevin’s cell phone rang. He glanced down and saw Chrissy’s name on the screen and did his best not to groan aloud. She’d been calling on him a lot lately. Too much. And though he’d tried to drop a few hints that he wasn’t interested in anything other than friendship, she didn’t seem to take the bait.

  He answered with a rushed “Hello” and Chrissy dove into an emotional rant about her ex-husband, then shifted gears and started pouring out her heart about Jaden’s report card.

  Out of the corner of his eye Kevin watched as J.J. reached for her purse. She waited for a while as he continued the call, then finally gave him a little wave and mouthed the words, “Have to go.”

  He said, “I’m sorry,” aloud—and J.J. shrugged—but Chrissy apparently thought he was talking to her.

  “I’m sorry too, Kevin,” she gushed. “But it feels so good to know I have you to talk to about all of this. You’re so great with Jaden, and I’m grateful. I don’t know what we’d do without you, to be honest.”

  Kevin gave J.J. a shrug and pointed to the phone, but she’d already turned toward the door. Oh well. Maybe next time. Until then, he had a mess to clean up—and not necessarily the one right in front of him.

  Chapter Five

  The last Tuesday evening in March J.J. headed to the rink for her lesson with Libby. Happy to put the drama of the workday behind her, she looked forward to spending time on the ice. Just for fun, she might try a few jumps and spins, herself. If she had time before the girls arrived. Rumor had it, Libby’s best friend Callie would be there, as well. Just to watch, Ann-Marie said, though J.J. suspected there was more to it than that.

  She pulled up to The Big Skate with plenty of time to spare and caught a glimpse of Kevin and Chrissy standing in front of his truck, talking. Their relationship still left her feeling perplexed. Ann-Marie insisted the two weren’t dating but Chrissy clearly had her eye on Kevin, and who could blame her? The more J.J. knew about the guy, the more positive her impression.

  She gave a little wave as she passed by and Kevin’s gaze lingered on her. Only when Chrissy tapped him on the shoulder did he turn back. Still, J.J. picked up on a strange look in his eyes, as if he didn’t care to be talking to Chrissy at all. Interesting.

  She entered the lobby, and her breath caught in her throat as the sunlight streamed through now-clean windows, drawing attention to the newly decorated room. Man. Talk about a change, and such a good one, at that. A feeling of satisfaction settled over her as she drank it in.

  For a moment, anyway. Today she had other things on her mind. J.J. Williamson had a hankerin’ to skate, and when that feeling hit, she needed to get right to it. She made her way to the stands and slipped on her skates, then did a few stretches. Minutes later, she breezed across the ice, the cool air comfortable against her warm skin. She started with a couple of spins—a little wobbly, but not bad. Then a toe-loop. Then a Lutz. Then—heaven help her—an Axel.

  She landed on the outside edge and felt her ankle turn, but managed to stay upright. Thank goodness. Only when applause sounded from the edge of the rink did she realize others had joined her. Spinning around she saw Kevin, Jaden, Ann-Marie, Libby and a beautiful girl with red hair. Must be Callie.

  J.J. felt her cheeks heat up. She did her best to push the embarrassment aside as she skated to the rink wall. “Do as I say, not as I do, Libby. Okay?” A strained smile followed.

  “I thought your technique looked great, J.J.,” the youngster said.

  “Wish I had my Axel.” The redhead groaned. “I don’t even have my single. I’ve been working on it for weeks but I fall on my—well, I fall every time. Do you think you can help me?” She gave J.J. a pleading look. “Libby says you’re the best coach ever.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that, but you’re welcome to watch her lesson today and we’ll talk after, okay?”

  “Sure. Is it okay if I free-skate while you guys work?” Callie asked, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I brought my skates.”

  “Sure. Just watch out for the hockey skaters. They move pretty fast.”

  Callie nodded and walked to the stands to put on her skates.

  Minutes later the youngster took to the ice, moving nearly as fast as several of the guys, who entered right behind her. Hopefully J.J. and Libby would be able to work around the crazy crew. A couple of the boys made it tough, but she kept her focus.

  As J.J. taught her lesson she kept a watchful eye on Jaden, who skated around the edge of the rink. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the boy had a little crush on Libby. J.J. would have to stop this distraction ASAP…or use it to her advantage.

  She glanced at the boy once again, watching as he made a quick, agile turn when he neared the wall. The kid was solid on his skates, even graceful, though she’d never use that word aloud. Not in a hockey rink. Still, he had potential. Lots of potential.

  Hmm.

  “What do you think about my sit-spin, J.J.?” Libby asked. “Getting better?”

  “W-what?” She startled to attention and watched as the girl made several gorgeous rotations. “It’s perfect. I think you’re right. It’s just the right move to add to your routine.”

  “Why are we working on a routine anyway?” Libby asked. “If I’m not competing for a while, I mean?”

  “Because it’s good for you to memorize your moves in order. And you will be competing soon. There’s a big event coming up at the Galleria in June.”

  “Really?” Libby’s eyes sparkled. “That’s so exciting. USFSA?”

  “Yep. And if we play our cards right, you should be ready for the next level by then.”

  “Whoa. You think?” Joy lit her eyes.

  “Yep.”

  “I’ll get that double Axel. Wait and see.” Libby took off across the ice and did the set-up for the move, then landed it…flat on her backside on the ice. Oh well. Maybe by June…

  On the far side of the rink Jaden mimicked her move and shot into the air, his body moving way too fast on those ridiculously dangerous hockey skates of his. He shot forward, slammed into the wall and hit the ice. This, of course, got a big laugh out of Libby. Callie, too. She hollered out, “Great move, Gumby! What else have you got?”

  “I’m just copying her.” Jaden pointed at Libby as she scrambled up. He rubbed his backside and shot off the ice toward the locker room, his face bright red.

  Still, J.J. couldn’t get over the fact that he’d attempted such a grand move. The kid really had a lot of moxie. No doubt about that. And if he’d been wearing a proper pair of skates maybe he would’ve landed it. Likely, anyway, based on the angle and his centering.

  Libby continued to work on her double Axel, finally landing a couple of decent ones. She skated J.J.’s way, a broad smile on her face. “What do you think? Am I ready to test up to
the next level?”

  “Yep. I think it’s a real possibility.”

  “Hey, speaking of competing, Ann-Marie told my mom that I might be doing pairs. Is that true?”

  “Well, it was just an idea. I haven’t really pursued it. Maybe. In time.”

  “Trust me, Mom wanted me to do pairs when I was at the Galleria. There aren’t a lot of boys over there who have their doubles.” Libby offered a little shrug. “It’s okay with me if you find someone, but if you don’t, I’ll be fine skating by myself.”

  She took off across the ice once more, going over the moves in her program. Off in the distance Jaden reappeared, dressed in street clothes. He stood at the edge of the ice and watched her, his gaze never shifting as she sailed high and landed a perfect double toe-loop. He seemed to be calculating her moves, memorizing them. Interesting.

  “Everything going okay?” Ann-Marie’s voice interrupted J.J.’s thoughts.

  “Hmm?”

  “Libby seems to be doing well. And guess what? I have a new student for you.”

  “Right. Callie.”

  “Well, her too, but I had someone else in mind, if you think you can take him on.”

  “Him?” J.J. turned to face Ann-Marie, confusion taking hold.

  “Yep. Congratulations. It’s a boy.” Ann-Marie laughed. “But seriously, I do know a boy who needs a figure skating coach.”

  “You don’t think the hockey players would torment him? Sounds risky to me, bringing him here.”

  “Um, no. Not this boy.” Ann-Marie shifted her gaze to Jaden, who continued to watch Libby skate.

  “Whoa. Wait. Are you talking about Jaden?” J.J. turned and leaned against the rink wall. “Because I have a feeling Kevin would kill me if I tried to turn that kid into a figure skater.”

  “Maybe, but look at him.” Ann-Marie gestured with her head to the boy. “I’ve been watching him for days. Every time Libby hits the ice he’s right there, watching.”

  “He’s a pre-teen boy. She’s a thirteen-year-old girl. I’m not a rocket scientist, but I have a suspicion he’d be watching her, even if she was walking across the ice, not skating.”

  “Maybe, but I see the look in his eye.”

  “Me too. Hormones.”

  “Could be. But there’s more going on inside that head of his and it’s up to you to tap into it. We might just have the perfect pairs partner for Libby. I’ll make sure he gets a proper pair of skates. You take care of the rest.”

  “Take care of the rest? Like, telling Kevin, you mean? And what about Rusty? He’s going to flip. I can hear it now: ‘No grandson of mine is going to put on figure skates.’”

  “You let me worry about Rusty. You just teach the boy to skate. When the time comes, I mean. And who knows…” Ann-Marie glanced at the ice, smiling as Libby landed another double. “We might just end up with the best pairs team the Dream Team has ever seen.”

  “The Dream Team?”

  “Yeah. That’s the name of our new club. Didn’t I tell you? Registered the name with the USFSA just this morning. Libby is our first member.”

  “Ann-Marie, tell me you didn’t.”

  “Okay, I didn’t. But I’m going to, if you like the name. These kids are going to be The Big Skate’s Dream Team, so brace yourself for lots of great things ahead.”

  Maybe. But it was far more likely she needed to brace herself for the biggest fiasco The United States Figure Skating Association had ever seen.

  ~

  Kevin reached for the broom and dustpan. He headed out of the locker room to the rink to clean the area around the stands. Along the way he almost tripped over Jaden, who stood at the rink’s edge, watching Libby skate. Hmm. Looked like it was almost time for ‘the talk.’ He’d been avoiding this for ages, but with Jaden’s father in prison, who else would give him the father-son chat about girls?

  For whatever reason, thinking of women caused Kevin’s focus to shift to J.J., who stood next to Ann-Marie, several yards away. The two of them appeared to be deep in conversation. Probably something to do with the rink’s overhaul. He hated to think about all of the other things that needed to be done around here, but maybe they were right. If they finished getting the place cleaned up, if they opened up their hearts and minds to a USFSA program, maybe he could finally start making a profit instead of worrying every month about how to pay for utilities and upkeep.

  “You okay over there, Uncle Kevin?” Jaden turned away from the rink and gave him a concerned look. “Need some help?”

  “Hmm? Oh, sure.” He pressed the broom into the boy’s hands. “Not that you’re slave labor or anything, but I could use help. If you’ll just sweep up this mess I’ll try my hand at fixing the popcorn machine. Your mom said it’s been giving her fits.”

  “Yeah. She told me all about it.” Jaden paused. “Mom tells me lots of stuff.”

  This stopped Kevin in his tracks. “Like what?”

  Jaden shrugged. “I dunno. Sometimes I think she hates my dad. Then sometimes I think they might end up back together someday. Freaks me out a little.”

  “Hmm.” Not a very solid answer, but it was all Kevin could muster. “Well, I’ll be praying about all of that. You do the same, okay? We can’t fix their relationship, but God can…if He chooses to, and if your dad is willing.”

  “Right.” Jaden started sweeping, but his gaze shifted back to Libby. A suspicious smile turned up the edges of his lips and his cheeks turned red.

  Yep. It was almost time for the talk. And with no one else available to take the reins, Kevin would have to do it, himself.

  Chapter Six

  By the end of the first week in April, the rink was starting to look really good. The renovated lobby area provided a great walk down memory lane, one that Uncle Rusty heartily approved of. Kevin had to admit, the whole place looked and felt new with these changes. And the parents really seemed to love it. Moms and dads who usually dropped their boys off for hockey practice decided to hang around and look it over. And visit. And eat.

  With the popcorn machine now fixed, Kevin saw a great opportunity for income: food sales. Now that the concessions stand had been painted and cleaned up, Chrissy seemed invigorated, too. And so were the parents, who hovered around her, purchasing sausage on a stick, nachos, popcorn and sodas. Kevin couldn’t help but admit, J.J. had been right…about everything.

  Now, if they could just tackle a few renovations in the rink area. These days, it was decorated with teen boys hanging over the railing to watch Libby and Callie practice their jumps and spins. A couple of the guys—Jaden included—had taken to copying their moves, but Kevin put a stop to that. Quick. Still, he had to admit, the idea of bringing in more figure skaters—girls, of course—did hold some appeal, not so the boys could gawk, but so the parents would have something else to talk about besides the next big game.

  And speaking of the next big game, Jaden really needed to focus. His position as right wing had been a solid choice…at first. Now, though, the boy seemed distracted. Hopefully things at home weren’t upsetting him.

  As he and the boys hit the ice after figure skating lessons ended, the sound of the sticks whacking together brought a sense of comfort, as did the sight of the puck flying across the ice. In this place, on the ice, Kevin felt grounded. Happy. Here, all of the woes about the rink disappeared. Only one thing remained: the game.

  Well, that, and a bunch of sweaty boys who had to be reminded to guard their language every few minutes.

  Just a short while into the practice, Jaden shot across the ice, trying to score a goal. Out of the corner of his eye Kevin noticed Ann-Marie, J.J., Libby and Mrs. Yarborough watching him closely. Weird. Had they developed some sort of fascination with hockey?

  One of the boys stopped short, and Jaden almost plowed right into him but managed to take a flying leap over the kid, who let out a yelp as he threw his arms over his head in protective measure. Despite the wide leap, Jaden somehow cleared the boy and landed upright on the ice. His team memb
ers, along with those watching from the stands, let out a cheer. Not that Kevin blamed them. The kid was light on his feet, to be sure. And the puck? Jaden had somehow managed to steer it into the net.

  From the side of the rink, J.J. looked on, her gaze narrowing. She focused…on Jaden. Then she turned to Ann-Marie and whispered something as she gestured to Libby.

  Uh oh.

  Something was up, all right. And Kevin would get to the bottom of it, before the day ended.

  ~

  J.J. wrapped up her conversation with Libby and her mom and sent them on their way with Callie tagging along behind them. She remained inside the rink, with Ann-Marie. They needed to talk to Kevin…and quick. If she had her way, if he allowed Jaden to become Libby’s pairs partner, they would have their work cut out for them before the June competition. She paced the edge of the rink, rehearsing what she would say.

  “Don’t. Even. Ask.” Kevin shot off of the ice, the boys trailing behind him.

  “I’m sorry? Don’t ask what?” She glanced up at him, confused.

  “You know.” He gave her a stern look. “I saw you watching Jaden out there.” He gestured for the hockey players to pass him by and then leaned against the edge of the rink, arms crossed at his chest. “I get it. But, don’t ask. The answer is a big fat no.”

  “I have to ask, Kevin.” J.J. did her best not to hyper-focus on his eyes, but found it difficult, especially with them blazing like this. She glanced back at Ann-Marie, who gave her a confident nod. “Please hear us out. He’s really good.”

  “Yes. He’s a great hockey player.”

  “You know what I mean. He’s light on his feet and can spin and jump…and everything.”

  “Have you two gone crazy?” Kevin spoke in a hoarse whisper as Jaden passed by. “Do you have any idea what the other guys would do to him? They’d crucify him.”

  “Hardly.” Rusty’s voice sounded from behind them and J.J. turned, happy to see him. “More likely they’d envy him for getting to hold hands with a girl. And do jumps with her. And lifts.”