Free Finding His Shot by Sarah Rose Page B

Julia said.
    “I hope so,” Chris said looking around.
    “We all hope so,” Eddie chimed in.
    “I saw that last game you were in. That was a hell of a beating you gave that guy,” Julia said.
    “Yeah. Sorry about that,” Chris replied. He was honestly embarrassed. The trip out there gave him time to think and his mind kept going back to wishing he would have never gotten into that fight.
    “No need to apologize to me. I have seen enough hockey to know that you aren’t going to make it in the league as a Goon. I think a change of scenery will do you really well. I know being sent down a level is embarrassing but we have a hell of a team and an amazing coach and I have no doubt that you will be back to scoring goals in no time,” she said.
    “I neglected to inform you, Chris, that Ms. Whelan is not only a student of the game but her father was the former owner of the Ice Hawks,” Eddie said.
    “Wow that is awesome. I heard you had a hand in getting Sam Fitzpatrick to where he is now so you must really know your stuff,” Chris said.
    “Well Sam was a special case,” Julia said. Chris looked out the window and saw a large pool and behind it was a large house.
    “That is a hell of a pool you got there,” Chris said.
    “Yes.  Dillan takes care of the pool. He lives here also you’ll meet him another time,” Julia said.
    “Well I appreciate you letting me stay here,” Chris said.
    “We are more than happy to have you here. If you are ready we can get you settled in,” Julia said.
    “I just have my bag right now. The rest of my stuff along with my car will be shipped out by next week. This really is an amazing home,” Chris said.
    “It is but you actually aren’t living in here. I have a guest house out behind the pool beyond those large bushes, that’s where you will be staying. It’s very private out there and it will basically feel like your own place,” Julia said.
    “Wow that’s amazing thank you so much,” Chris said.
    “If you are done we can take a walk out there and get you settled in,” Julia said. They finished up lunch and Julia led Chris out to the guest house. The guest house was bigger than the house Chris had grown up in. It had a large living room and a kitchen on the first floor. The second floor had two bedrooms and a huge master suite that had its own balcony that you could see the pool and the main house from.
    “This house is amazing Julia! I can’t thank you enough,” Chris said.
    “You can thank me by getting your play back on track,” Julia said with a smile.
    “I think that sounds like a good deal to me,” Chris said.

Chapter Three
    Two weeks into Chris’ tenure with the Ice Hawks wasn’t much different than his time in Reading. While he was shooting the puck more and fighting less, he still wasn’t scoring and was struggling to gel with his new teammates.  He left the rink and drove to his house. As he pulled up he hit the gate code and drove around to the guest house. While he was very stressed about this current level of play he was happy to be able to come back to this amazing house and relax. As he pulled up next to the house he saw Dillan lugging some pool equipment out toward the pool.
    “What’s up man?” Chris asked getting out of his car.
    “Just trying to get the pool cleaned so I can go spark up a little party,” Dillan said.
    “This heat is pretty crazy, it’s almost November and it’s 80 degrees out,” Chris said.
    “Global warming man, it’s a total bummer man,” Dillan said.
    “Yeah man I hear you. Hey have you seen Julia around I was hoping to talk to her later,” Chris asked.
    “I think the last time I saw her she was arguing with Tommy,” Dillan said while tugging on a pool hose.
    “Oh, work issues?” Chris asked.
    “Nah, they are together but it’s on again and off again. I try to stay to my side of the place when they are fighting,” Dillan said.
    “Oh wow I had no idea. I was just wondering if she caught the last