The Forbidden Puck: The Coach's Daughter is Off Limits

wo: You W

i

ire life without my father's approval,

e ska

graded papers and muttered about "frivolous pursuits," I watched old Olympic

ted t

saved from tutoring kids in calculus, a fact he never knew. I auditioned for the university's ska

my first o

e me,

g the hallway outside Thompson Arena

my chest. I should have been heading to the figure skaters' locker room

ivalry. My boyfriend had been ta

I told myself.

ble doors just as the sound ex

game was

reboard. Falcons 4, Eag

ed, scanning the ic

il

ch flipp

over his chest, eyes locked

ncrete steps, forcing a smile th

lcons' head coach. This was his life

ief, business-like nod before turn

et breath and l

ised me. Fast, smooth, completely in control. He cut left, dod

e pulled his stick back, ev

crashed int

ber

clean, ruthless move, he stole the puck right from Marvel's control. One second

e, my breath catc

ke a storm.

r a path for him as he charged the Eagles' go

ck hitting the net

ena er

s 5, E

Falcons swarmed their captain, lifting him onto their s

Collins!

Coll

favorite. Th

his teammates' shoulders. His gaze, dark and intense, found m

my chest. There was something about the way he soaked in t

arro

tors' bench, the Eagles were alrea

o. Ma

side me, a note of pure satisfaction in his

too," I murmured, alr

, but I wasn't listening. Marvel hated losing. He'

d to fi

d, cutting him off gently. He just nodd

amp-smelling hallway on the east side of the arena.

hifting my weight from foot to foo

ng. That goal in the second p

finally s

in full gear, his helmet o

ly, taking a step

Just stood there

"That breakaway in the second period? I thought for sure you had it." I reached out and touched his

complete

r than

voice answered. I

he turned slowly. He lifted his

jaw. Eyes that weren't Marvel's wa

Coll

ke I'd been burned. I stumbled back

ze taking in my shock, my embarrassment. A

" he asked, his v

I hated the way he was looking at me, like I was a funny little puzzle. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him exactly

hree of his teammates, still in their gear, piled out. O

an arm around Ray Collins's shoulders. "Coach Ha

you being unfair? You're our coach's kid. S

behind my ear, forcing my voice to be calm. "I might be the coach's daughter," I sai

ive thing to say, but I

me, that same analyzing look on his face, as

il

s tight. Straine

urn

ng from one hand and his face a mask of co

to Ray Collins standing so close to m

hallway was sudde