Coach Alex: Book 1 of the Alaska Aces Hockey Series

Natasha Yes! Today is the day I've been waiting for. Action Auto just called and my baby is ready for pick up. 1984 Chevy Corvette painted with thermochromatic paint in a deep aquamarine. “I finally did it, Marky. I got our car,” talking to my younger brother as if he’s here. It’s something I do from time to time and since the therapist said it causes no harm, I am officially free to speak to my dead brother whenever I see fit. And today is a day he would definitely want to have a little chat. My mind shoots back to the memory of us laying in the grass, sweating our asses off since our parents wouldn't spring for air conditioning like the rest of the neighbors. “We’re in no competition with the Joneses,” dad would say. So we lay there barely moving while dreaming up our perfect lives, everything from who we would marry and how many kids we would have to what car we would drive and what our houses would look like (they would have air conditioning to start). I was going to marry T

Alex Waking up later than usual, I scratch my long beard and look in the mirror. I’m not so bad, I say to myself. At 6’4”, I’m taller than most men and thanks to my hockey background I have a solid foundation of thick muscles. Those boys had no business calling me ‘Quarter Pounder’ last night, I work out nearly every day. My hair is starting to turn silver, but the salt and pepper isn't bothering me. I could use a haircut though. Going into the playoffs, the team agreed this year to refrain from cutting their hair or beards in a superstitious ritual. This was the first year I played along, letting my locks go wild. Considering our victory, I guess I’ll be growing it out next year, as well, if we make the playoffs. Seriously, if it grows any longer than this, I'll have to pull it back into a man bun. I guess I should call and schedule that haircut today. I grab my phone off my night stand and notice Cameron has called four times since last night. He’s such a hard working k

Alex This morning has turned into a series of uncomfortable silences. Both on the ride to the cafe after Cameron dropped his pregnancy bomb and while we were sitting eating our sandwiches, and now again on the ride home. That woman’s anger was the topping on the shit-cake that Cameron didn't need today. I mean I can understand why she'd be upset. I'd be upset too if I had a sweet ride like that and it just got smashed. But to yell such obscenities in the middle of the parking lot? She must have a few screws loose. She’s old enough to know accidents happen. Obviously old enough to be able to handle a fender bender with a little more grace than yelling at a kid in his twenties. Though, I deserved what she said to me. I know better than to mention a woman's age. It's not like she looked old. In fact, she looks pretty damn good for whatever age she is. I guess it's true, the better looking they are, the crazier they are. I should have already known that. I was hoping to just sit

Alex As much as this summer has not been what I expected, I can't complain. I was able to get a deck built onto my backyard and even had a couple barbecues with the team and their families over. I went and spent some time in Denali both hiking and rafting, something I've been wanting to try for quite awhile. It was a little trickier getting booked as a single, something I wasn't expecting. Apparently, people usually raft with groups of friends or their significant others. It's not that I don't have friends. I do. I have a few good friends left from when I was a player for the Aces myself but most have families of their own now and are busy raising their kids. Some of them went on to careers-some are sports professionals, some teachers, and even one is an accountant. Most live out of state now and when we travel for games, I always get invited to family dinners and kids birthday parties. Last year, I even attended a piano recital for an ex-teammates first grandchild. As if t

“Now that Adam knows I'm drinking he’s not gonna leaf me alone tonight,” Kristina giggles as we start to gather our papers. “And what about coach? It seems like you two had a moment there.” “Ha! A moment of embarrassment,” I deadpan. I can try to set you guys up on a date if you want “Didn't you hear him? He was livid when he thought Adam had set him up to even meet me. Plus, he was with the guy when my car got hit and he’s seen all my crazy. Trust me, men run from the shit I was throwing out that day. I even called him Grizzly Adams.” I bust out a laugh. “I was wondering where that comment came from,” Kristina chuckles. “They grow their hair and beard during the playoffs. Some sort of superstition I guess.” Alex Adam and I wrap up watching the tapes as I try to stay focused on hockey plays instead of the more than hot red head in the next room. She’s is gonna be the end of me. Kneeling in front of me like that I could feel my dick stir to life. Stir to a life it used to