Read Falling for the Backup (Novella): The Assassins Series for Free Online Page B

window, apologize, anything, because he didn’t want to leave, but he knew that he had to.  
    He promised himself he would never see her again.

Chapter 4

    “How’s the knee Jordan?”
    Jordan looked across the table at the IceCats GM, Sean Rogers. Jordan’s heart was pounding in his chest while sweat dripped down the middle of his back. It was cold in the room, but Jordan’s nerves were out of control. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to be on the IceCats until he stepped foot into their arena. Walking past all the posters and photos of the team winning the cup and at charity events reminded Jordan a lot of the Assassins. But the IceCats needed a goalie, while the Assassins only needed a backup.  
    Forcing a smile, he looked straight into Sean’s eyes and said, “It’s good, I’m ready to play.”
    Sean nodded ,  
    “You were a force to be reckoned with before the injury.”
    Jordan heard the were loud and clear. That needed to change.  
    “I still could be if I was given the chance. When I played 11 games straight for Tate Odder while he was out I only let in seven of two hundred and fifty shots on goal. I am ready to play full time, I am tired of warming the bench.”
    Sean looked up from Jordan’s file and smiled. Now.
    “I agree, but has Baxter given you a reason why you are warming and not playing? You and Odder are very similar players.”
      “I don’t know, all I know is that I want to play and I’m not getting the time I need on the ice playing for the Assassins.”
    Sean paused for a moment, looking back down at the table.  
    “You have been with that team since you started in the NHL, are you sure you want to leave?”
    Was he sure?   It would hurt to leave the Assassins, he loved the team, but he loved playing more and just as he was about to say that, he thought of Aynslee.   Disturbing.. Was it his subconscious letting him know that not only was he walking away from the team but her too?  
    Shaking his head, he said, “As much as I’ll miss them, I have to go to a team that is going to play me and I think that team is the IceCats. I have dreamt of playing for this team my entire life and I am ready to show you that I can be the star goalie you need to bring the cup home, once again.”
    As much as he believed he would kick ass he was worried that he wouldn’t be happy when he left Tennessee. It was an insane thoughtbecause his family was here and being a part of the IceCats was his lifelong dream, but he would be leaving his team, his friends, and Aynslee.   Aynslee.   As much as he tried he could not get her out of his mind.
    “Sounds good, Jordan. I feel good about this. I’ll talk to your dad, talk to Mrs. Adler, and we should know something in the next couple of months. I think you are going to look great in our IceCats jersey.”
    Sean stood then, holding out his hand. Jordan took it as he stood, shaking it earnestly while in his mind a certain redhead smiled back at him. Things were moving for him and that was great, so why wasn’t he as happy as he thought he would be?  

    “Sean said he thought I was going to look great in an IceCats jersey, I’m pretty sure that means something,” Jordan said as he passed the green beans to his dad the next evening at dinner. “Hopefully something good,” Bill said with a nod.
    “I’d love to have you home, honey, it would be wonderful,” Jackie, his mom, said before reaching over and squeezing his hand.  
    “As much as I love being home mom, I gotta go where they are going to play me.” Sometimes his mom didn’t realize that his job was to play hockey. She still saw the little boy, all dressed up in his goalie gear loving the game more than anything.  
    “I know, I just hope it works out,” Jackie gushed as she smiled over at Jordan’s father, “Make it happen, Bill.”
    Everyone laughed at her comment as they finished dinner, chatting about their favorite topic, hockey. Jordan learned from his father, also