And now we have the following chapter. Thanks to all of you who have read. You guys are great. Thanks to randaroo32 and the guest reviewer SarahAllanna. Your words mean the world. Also if you're not finding any mistakes that means that me and my beta have done a really good job at checking this over.

Chapter 53: Tryouts


Finally the day of hockey tryouts arrived. Kyle still couldn't get his dad to tell him who the new coach was. He only said they'd find out at tryouts. They stood on the ice until the clock struck three and they still saw no coach. Lizzy let five more minutes pass before she let out a duck call, getting everyone's attention.

"It appears that our new coach and jv's coach Orion have decided to not show up on time, so for those of you who don't know, my name is Lizzy Jacobs and last year I was co-captain for Eden Hall's varsity team. Since they aren't here, why don't we go ahead and get warmed up and when they get here we can start practice."

"What makes you in charge?" One of the boys asked.

"Well like I said, I was co-captain of last year's varsity team here at Eden Hall. And last year we won state champs," Lizzy said. "So unless you can top that, I suggest all of you start doing laps."

"What about me?" Kyle asked as Fulton, Julie, Portman, and Kenny started skating.

"Well co-captain, warm ups are all yours if you want it," Lizzy answered, waving to the ice.

"'No thanks; I was just asking." Kyle and Lizzy started skating and slowly everyone joined them. Once they had finished ten laps, Lizzy separated them into three groups: those that had played high school hockey, those that hadn't, and those that had played for Eden Hall. She tossed each group a different color jersey then started with drills any peewee player could do. Once they were sufficiently warmed up, Orion slid to a stop next to Lizzy as she stood at center ice.

Lizzy looked up at him then she looked at those trying out. "This is Coach Orion," she called to those on the ice. "He is the jv coach. He is also 25 minutes late."

"I was watching from the stands. Now, shall we get started?" Orion asked. Hearing no complaint from the always vocal captain, Orion went on. "Okay then, if you were on last year's varsity team take a seat on the bench." He took over tryouts from there and occasionally he'd send a player over to sit on the bench. Finally he sent everyone on the ice to the bench and called those on the bench to the ice. When tryouts were over, Lizzy asked about their new coach. "I've met him but he's only an interim coach."

"Only temporary? Why?" Lizzy asked.

"He didn't say, though it may have something to do with the school board."

"So who is he?" Portman asked.

Orion looked around the bleachers, causing Lizzy and Fulton to do the same. None of them saw anything though. "Well if you made varsity you'll meet him Monday. Sorry, guys."

"Not your fault."

"Attention!" Orion called to everyone. "Lists will be posted Monday morning and varsity will meet their coach at practice. You're all free to go." As they began to leave, Orion stopped Lizzy. "You'd make a good captain or a good coach."

"Unlike Charlie, I make better player than a coach," Lizzy grinned.

"I'll take your word for that," Orion said. Lizzy smiled then went to change.

Monday morning the lists were posted outside the ice rink, on the bulletin boards around the school, and on the notice boards of every dorm. Lizzy came across the one in her dorm and ran her finger down the list. Then she grinned. All of the Ducks that were still playing hockey had made varsity as well as Kyle and three of his friends.

"Did we?" Lizzy heard behind her. She didn't have to look over her shoulder to know it was Julie behind her.

"We made it," Lizzy answered, "but he didn't post the lines. I'm sure Coach will let us know before the game next week." She glanced back at Julie then hefted her backpack higher on her shoulder.

"So still no word from Portman on the romance front?" Julie asked. The entire team had been watching and waiting for Portman and Lizzy to get their act together. Every now and then one of them would ask but the answer was always the same.

"None. You know," Lizzy sighed, "every time I hint about going out he always turns me down. Remember Saturday when I asked if anyone was up for a movie and I specifically singled out Portman but he was busy? It's always like that. No matter what I say, he's always busy. Not busy like he doesn't want to go out because he doesn't like me but rather like he's worried what would happen if we did go out."

"Why?"

"I don't know." Lizzy turned to face her friend. "Freshman year when I spent Christmas in Chicago, he said the reason had something to do with Connie dumping Guy, but I can't get any more out of him and I feel like he's not telling me something."

"But he's still approving guys for you to date?"

"I haven't had a boyfriend since January."

"Because of them?"

"Because the only guy I'm truly into won't go out with me or give me a plausible reason why not."

"I'm sorry, Lizzy. I know moving on isn't the easiest thing to do, especially with how you feel about him, but perhaps it's for the best."

"I could believe that, if I just knew why."

"Life's not like a book; you may never know."

"True. I even asked Fulton to get inside his head but he told me it wasn't his place to get involved."

"How about this? After practice and before dinner, I get Portman to tell me what's going on. I could let you know."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Sure," Julie shrugged. "We may not be close like Connie and I are or like you and Fulton are, but we are friends, right?" Lizzy nodded and they went to breakfast.

After classes the new varsity team dressed in their practice gear and headed for the ice.

They skated around, just skating, waiting for their new coach. When 10 minutes had passed and there was no sign of their new coach Lizzy suggested they do laps to get warmed up. Charlie caught up to her on lap five.

"I want to tell you something, but I'm not sure I should," he said.

"Why not?"

"Because you might take it the wrong way and I can't have it bring you down."

"Is this about your mom's boyfriend?"

"Yes," he said softly. Lizzy looked at him carefully. Charlie looked happy but at the same time, very nervous.

"Do you know who it is?" Every time Lizzy had asked about the man they had all refused to tell her who he was.

"I do and um ..." Charlie swallowed hard. "Lizzy, they're getting married."

Lizzy swallowed hard, sliding to a stop just out of the way of the rest of the team. Charlie took her arm and pulled her to center ice. Michelle had broken the news to Lizzy that her aunt was seeing someone, but not that it had been serious enough for her aunt to marry the guy. Lizzy hadn't seen her aunt since her birthday, opting to spend the rest of her summer with Fulton and his parents instead.

"Look, Lizzy, I know you care deeply about Mom's happiness, but she loves him. She really loves him."

"Who?" Lizzy asked as patiently as she could. Charlie shifted nervously. That's when Lizzy could tell something was wrong and her eyes narrowed. "What is it? Is it that you don't like him? I swear, Charlie, you won't have to face him alone. If he's not good for both you and your mom, I will stop that wedding."

"No, it's not that. I shouldn't have brought this up. I thought you deserved to know even if I wasn't supposed to tell you."

"Weren't supposed to or don't think you should tell me?"

"Both. I don't know if she wanted to tell you herself or if they wanted Matt to you; you do always take it better coming from him," Charlie answered.

"Perhaps I should tell her. I'm used to her anger. What are we talking about?" A voice asked from behind her. Lizzy froze, hearing his voice. She knew that voice. Charlie cleared his throat then scratched his forehead nervously as he looked over her head. "That? Charlie, you didn't."

"Him? Don't tell me he is the one. Wait," Lizzy spun around to face the man. Even if he was involved with her aunt, that didn't explain what he was doing at Eden Hall. "What are you doing at Eden Hall?" Lizzy snapped as the rest of the team came to a stop. "Does this mean that you're our new coach?"

"Temporarily."

"It's always temporary with you, isn't it?" Lizzy spat.

"Before you get started on any wild accusations you can throw at me, I want to get through practice. It may not be the best idea to let you think about everything you can throw at me, but I don't think you want to do this in front of the rest of the team."

Lizzy stared at him then looked around the ice at her teammates. Her eyes finally settled on Kyle. He was giving her what she called his "Captain" look. It meant that she was better than this and she should hold off until after practice. Then she looked back at the new coach. "After practice in your office. Until then," Lizzy turned back to her teammates, "for those of you who don't know this is Gordon Bombay and evidently he's our new temporary coach."

"Really?" Kyle asked.

"It's only temporary, but yeah," Bombay agreed. Practice went well after that, considering her feelings for Bombay. All Lizzy had to do was convince herself that he was anyone else, anyone but Gordon Bombay, and she could focus on practice. Even though he had helped her and the Ducks three years prior there was still some hostility between her and the coach. In the past three years she had barely heard from him though that was apparently not true of her cousin and the coach. Evidently they had seen each other often. After practice Lizzy quickly showered and changed then made her way to the coach's office.

"I'd offer you a seat but I'm not sure you'd take it," Bombay said.

"I'm too angry to sit. I don't even know why I'm angry." Lizzy paced the small office, not looking at him.

"We can start with my temporary coaching job."

"Why is it only temporary? Are you only here until you can convince my aunt to move to California?"

"I'm hoping she will but I know there is always the chance she won't."

"Then why?"

"I love coaching; helping kids become the best they can but ... what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Honestly?" Lizzy asked. Bombay nodded. "To be the coach of an NHL team."

"And when you graduate high school and college, will you stick with the first job you get or will you keep pushing until you get the job you're really after?"

"I know you want something bigger and better than coaching high school hockey or being a lawyer, but why not coach for the full year to have it on your resume? You worried about getting attached to us?"

"I'm already attached, Lizzy. Have been since the day I met all of you. I was in town on a two day layover when I got a call from Dean Buckley himself. He asked me to coach until he found a new one. It's not that I want it to be temporary, but that's what they've asked of me."

"And you're not going to push the school board for the full year?"

"They're already wary of me. I didn't want to jeopardize anything."

"And what exactly would you be jeopardizing, Bombay?" Lizzy asked.

"If I upset the board they'll get rid of you. You only stayed on a technicality."

"True, but I guess I understand." Lizzy took a deep breath and nodded, dropping down into the chair in front of his desk. "How come you didn't stay in touch?"

"With the team? I did. I call everyone on the team at least once a month to check in. With you? I don't know. I mean I know the last time that I saw you was in your freshman year and you seemed like you didn't need me around. You were adjusting to Orion, to the Ducks, to school here and I didn't want to disrupt that. The phone does work both ways you know."

"Sophomore year."

"What?"

"The last time I saw you in person was sophomore year. Michelle MacKay's wedding to my dad. You were there."

"Right, I remember that. You looked happy. Talking to Portman and Fulton. I know I should have kept in touch with you but—I don't have any excuses. I don't really know why I didn't call you too. Every time your name came up on the roster of people to call, I always put it off. Kept pushing you down and down. After this Duck, after this Duck, I kept telling myself that. Suddenly I look up and it's senior year. Calling you out of the blue just seemed wrong."

"And now you can just come back in and expect everything to be just fine?" Lizzy asked.

"No, I don't expect that. I do expect you to be angry, but I do love your aunt," Bombay answered.

"You love her?" Lizzy asked confused. But it wasn't just that. The coach, even with missing the last three years of her life, noticed that the girl looked scared and desperate. Almost as though she was hoping for a confirmation of the fact.

Bombay smiled softly. It was best just to be honest with her. It had always worked in the past and he definitely couldn't sugarcoat it. It would hurt too much. Not that there was much to sugarcoat. "We've been seeing each other off and on since your freshman year. Every time I'm in Minnesota. We do our best to make it work. I try to be here every weekend. I have fallen in love with her."

"And me and Charlie?"

"I know that you and Charlie and your brothers will always be a constant in her life. I'm okay with that and will never try to take her from you guys; not ever."

"Oh." Lizzy sank back into the chair. The relief on her face was evident to the coach and he was glad he had told her the truth. Now it was just time to make sure she completely understood.

"I know that you and I haven't always gotten along, but I know how important your aunt is to you. You practically grew up in a world with very few positive female influences. The last thing I want to do is make it so you have one less. I haven't had the best relationship with your aunt but I'm really trying this time."

"You promise to do your best to love and support her and Charlie? It's not just about my aunt anymore."

"It never was. Not since she had that little boy."

"You know," Lizzy said slowly, "it's just too bad that you can't work for the committee from Minnesota. Then you and Aunt Casey wouldn't have to leave."

"Now there's an idea," Bombay said softly. "You're not going to make a fuss about the wedding when you come, are you?"

Lizzy stared at him in shock. "You actually want me there?"

"Of course I do, Lizzy. It's an important day and I think her entire family should be there."

Lizzy bit her lip and contemplated all this information. "You care about me and my happiness?" Lizzy asked after a few quiet moments.

"Yes. I don't want to upset you."

"Could you talk to Portman? I'm sure you've noticed the chemistry between him and me. I really, really like him. I've subtly asked him out a couple of times but he's always turned me down, saying he's too busy and whatnot, even though I know whatever excuse he gives is a lie. I also know that he does like me. Could you please talk to him? Find out why he's so standoffish."

"Getting involved in a student's personal life isn't a smart idea for me."

"I'd normally agree, but this is Port we're talking about. Your star defenseman. The guy you once flew all the way to Chicago for. Plus it'd definitely make up for you missing out on nearly two years of my life."

She had him there. "I'll talk to him but I can't promise anything."

"Thanks." Lizzy left the office and headed back for her room to drop her backpack before dinner. It was only after she had gone that Bombay realized Lizzy had never actually promised not to make a fuss about the wedding. She was about three feet from her room when she heard voices coming from it.

"But what?" That was Julie's voice.

Then Portman's, causing Lizzy to freeze in the hallway just short of the door. "But if I tell her that, she's going to think it's stupid or I'm scared." Lizzy suddenly remember that Julie had agreed to talk to Portman that night. Lizzy was a little disappointed that she had come in too late to hear his actual reason from his own mouth.

"Port, I think she'll understand."

"How could she? I love her, Julie."

"Then don't underestimate her. I can't believe you'd rather wait another year to ask her out than take that chance now."

"Jules, Lizzy deserves to be happy and I can't promise her that. She's going to win that scholarship from that gallery in New York. She'll be off to a fancy art school on the East Coast and I'm going back to Chicago. The next time I see her, she's going to be truly happy with someone who won't bail on her. Someone who stands a chance to stick with her for good."

"You'd rather only have her as a friend than take that chance and have the happiest relationship any of us has ever seen?"

"Yes. I've already told you why. Julie, promise me you won't tell her."

"I promise." Julie sounded so serious Lizzy didn't know if Julie would still tell her. Lizzy swallowed then made her way up to Fulton's room. She knocked on the door and he pulled it open, not wearing a shirt, with a towel draped around his neck.

"What's wrong?" Fulton asked, seeing Lizzy looking up at him sadly but at the same time she looked a little confused.

"Can I come in?"

"It's a mess in here."

"Fulton, I've seen your bedroom. This is me you're talking to."

"Right; come in." Fulton stepped out of the way and Lizzy walked in. It wasn't a mess; rather it looked like both closets and the dressers had exploded. "We were looking for something but I guarantee you they're all clean." Lizzy nodded and started picking up and folding the clothes. "What's wrong?"

"I just overheard Portman and Julie talking." Lizzy said softly as she stacked clothes in four different piles–Fulton's pants, Fulton's shirts, and the same for Portman. "I didn't hear everything but I did sorta overhear that he'd rather have me as a friend than take a chance to be really happy dating me. Did you know he's going back to Chicago?"

"We're both applying there for next year. A couple other schools but Chicago has one of the best college hockey teams in the nation."

"You think you're going to play hockey for the rest of your life?" Lizzy asked.

"No, but it's also got a really good photography program. You know I love taking pictures. Got that from my dad."

"I know. He thinks I'm going to some school on the East Coast. What do I do, Fulton? I think I'm in love with him but—" Lizzy stopped suddenly and hugged the t-shirt she was folding close to her chest. She didn't notice that it was Portman's favorite shirt.

Fulton walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "You have two choices." Fulton said softly in her ear. "You either confront him or you let it go." Lizzy bit her lip and spun in his arms, burying her face in his chest. "I'm not going to tell you what to do but I think you already know."

Lizzy nodded against his chest. There really was only one thing to do.


Oh so close to finding out what's stopping him. I think that happens in the next chapter and comes from an unlikely source. So what do you think she's going to do? Will she confront him or will she just let it go? Leave me your thoughts.