Flashbacks are in italics. This flashback was taken from Wash It All Away – Chapter 2.1: Surprise Coffee.

42.2 - Morning Coffee

Spencer's PoV

Practice was over two hours later and I was feeling more wide awake. I knew that a nice hot shower would relieve me of my stiff muscles. I didn't stretch as much as usual and it was showing, or rather, I was feeling it. I got off the ice and started to walk towards the locker room when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and there she was. Wide awake with two coffees sitting beside her. She was leaning over the rail with a smile that melted me once again. "Ashley!" I grinned and took off my helmet, my blonde hair sticking to the back of my neck. All of a sudden I felt self-conscious and bit my lip. "What are you doing up? It's barely sunrise!"

Ashley snickered and made her way down to me. I was taller than her even more now that I had my skates on. "I figured you could use a little caffeine seeing as you actually drag your ass here this early in the morning." She grinned and tipped the coffee tray towards me. Even though I had to go change, I managed to take my gloves off and take a sip of the hot liquid which warmed my insides as her smile did as well.

"Technically I've been up since 4:30am so I've been up for almost three hours now." I carefully placed the cup back in the tray and adjusted my helmet under my arm. She stood there quiet for a moment and then bit her lip in a smile.

"You're even crazier than I thought you were, Carlin." Ashley looked over my jersey and smirked. "You look really good in your gear."

"I feel like an oversized marshmallow!" I protested with a laugh. I nervously switched from foot to foot, she was definitely checking me out and I had no idea how to handle it. Hell, her next comment didn't help any.

"Lucky for you, I find marshmallows very good," she winked and snickered.

"Uh," I cleared my throat and realized she enjoyed making me squirm, "but they are so very sticky."

She just shrugged and never let her smile fade. "You should go get changed before you end up in the locker room alone . . ."

Was she. . .? Did she just . . .? Okay, I figured I'd better go get changed before this woman literally stopped me from breathing. At this rate, I wouldn't put it past her to come and see me in the locker room. Worse yet, I didn't see myself stopping her.

"Yea, um, you gonna be here?" I asked, sounding a little eager.

"I'm only here for you gorgeous," she winked and playfully swatted my overstuffed ass, "now go before the rest of your coffee gets cold or I drink it all."

I swallowed hard and laughed. Yes, she was really flirting with me. She was really really flirting. Ashley Davies, the cousin of my boyfriend, was flirting with me.

And I loved it.

//

I had managed to actually look decent for once in the early mornings. Maybe because I made an effort as well… not something I usually do at five thirty on a Saturday morning. Really, all I do is Coach a bunch of seventeen year olds so I had nothing to look forward too.

"Ouuu," I heard a purr in my ear and turned to face Jaiden, "looking hot Coach Carlin."

I smirked and looked down at my tight jeans and nice fitting sweater. "Thanks Jai."

She nodded and licked her lips while scoping out the arena. "Where are the girls?"

"Concession. They successfully talked me out of getting Ryn to take them this morning." I chuckled and she joined in, calling me a 'push over'. "So," I stepped aside and grabbed her arm, dragging her into the team box before the rest of the team came out, "I was watching your game the other night," she blushed and I patted her shoulder softly, "I was wondering if you'd be interested in this…"

"Oh my Gosh!" Jaiden squealed at the white 'C' badge in my hand. "Are you serious?"

"Am I gay?" I raised an eyebrow and she smirked. "Yes, I'm serious. You're a strong leader and you've brought this team so far and it's only the beginning of the season."

"Spencer!" Jaiden squealed and hugged me, making it awkward with her gear on. "This means so much, thank you. I'll honour the responsibilities I promise."

"I know," I smiled softly and patted her cheek, "trust me, I know."

Jaiden looked at the badge in awe once more before placing it back in my hand. "I'll get one of my moms to sew it on but can you hang onto it for me until afterwards?"

I nodded and she squealed again, kissing my cheek before taking off on the ice.

"Should I be jealous?" I heard that husky voice and turned around to find Ashley standing there shyly with two cups of coffee.

I smiled widely and chuckled. "Only if you wanted to be Captain of Rapture Ravens."

Ashley grinned with her crinkled nose and handed me a fresh Tim Hortons coffee. "Breakfast of Champions, I figured you could use one seeing as you're still getting your ass up before sunset after all these years."

"Thank you," I offered politely and took a sip. Exactly how I liked it. "And what are you doing up at this hour?"

She shrugged with a smile and turned her head in the direction of our daughters. "I can't believe they are morning people."

"Yea," I laughed softly, "they just wanted to see the girls practice. Some Saturday mornings when I'm not coaching the team, they refuse to get up before ten."

Ashley laughed with me and chewed on her bottom lip briefly. "Oh," she blushed and set down her coffee before tugging off the jacket I had given her to wear the night before, "this belongs to you."

I grabbed the black jacket and briefly glanced over the 'Coach Carlin' sewn onto the left side of it. "You look better in it."

I was disappointed to find the bra that was stuffed in there was no longer in the pocket.

Damn.

"Yea, no." She shook her head. "You looked really hot in your hockey gear, but I've gotta say that this Coach thing really is a turn on."

"Mmm," I smirked and resisted the urge to kiss her, "good to know."

"When is Dyl and Luc's next game?" Ashley asked me as she watched the rest of the team pile onto the ice.

"Sunday afternoon." I smiled and opened my folder, handing her a coloured chart. "Their team is highlighted in blue, the little check marks beside them means a game and the 'p' means practice. Oh," I grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled in a 'K' beside a few games and practices, "everything with a 'K' is at the arena in Keewatin. Not a lot of them are taken place there but with the boy teams starting soon, we'll be fighting over both rinks."

Ashley nodded and smiled, studying the chart. "Wow," she breathed and looked at me, "I can't believe I'm actually a hockey mom."

I chuckled and nodded, blowing on my whistle to get the girls to huddle in. "It never gets boring."

"Mom!" Lucas came running down the steps with her face full of chocolate. "Dylan bribed me."

Dylan gasped and scowled. "I did not! I said I dared her to eat chocolate and she didn't say no."

Ashley had an amused look on her face.

"Luc, you know it's too early in the morning for chocolate unless it's a hot drink." I sighed and leaned forward to wipe some chocolate off the bottom of her lip.

"But you know I like dares." She pouted.

"Yea," Dylan shrugged, "and she dared me to dare her."

"Dyl!" Luc turned to face her. "You're such a tattler!"

"Lucas," I placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked at me, "please go wash up and come back here. I don't need you girls running around and getting into trouble while I'm busy with the team."

"Fine." Lucas mumbled. "Sorry I ate chocolate and I'm sorry I yelled at you Dyl."

I exchanged smiles with Ashley and she ran her fingers through Dylan's hair.

"It's okay," Dylan whispered and grabbed Lucas' arm, "did you want me to come with you?"

Lucas nodded and they took off towards the locker rooms.

I smiled and leaned into Ashley briefly. "Get used to it if you're sticking around." I whispered and clapped my hands as I made my way towards the center of the rink.

I looked back to find her watching me with a soft look.

A look that I was absolutely in love with.

It was just too early to tell her that still.

--

Next time in Points Underneath:

"What's up?" Tracey asked with concern as she walked out onto the stage and grabbed the mic away from me. "You're not on your game tonight."

"I know," I groaned, "I just haven't been feeling it."

"Babe," she sighed and placed a caring hand on my back, "we don't have to go anywhere you don't want too."

"Anywhere meaning Kenora, right?"