Beating the Odds: Men of the Ice, #9

If you can help a child, you don’t have to spend years repairing an adult. – Joyce Meyer

Chapter One

It might only be May, but Shannon Eaves was ready to declare this one of the best years of her life. When she moved to San Antonio from Chicago to assume the role of director of the town’s fledgling youth center eight months before, Shannon had no idea what she was in for. She knew only that it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She’d sure been right about that.

There were some struggles in the early days, but that was to be expected with any position, and especially as the director of a not-for-profit. Those struggles were far outweighed by the personal and professional satisfaction Shannon got in knowing that the youth center was something that the south side San Antonio community sorely needed, and that she’d helped to bring it to them.

It didn’t hurt that the center now had the city’s professional hockey team supporting it, or at least a fair number of its players. It all started with Noah Mann, the team’s fun-loving defenseman, who stopped by the center one afternoon looking for a chance to volunteer. Shannon didn’t know what brought him there, and cynically wondered, at least at the beginning, if he might have gotten in trouble with the law and needed to fulfill community service hours. She couldn’t have been more wrong. As it turned out, Noah just liked kids and wanted to spend time with some. His help went beyond the donation of his time, and included a financial contribution as well when he pledged a portion of the proceeds from his charity golf tournament to the youth center.

Fast forward a few months, and Shannon found herself with a whole lineup of Generals players to introduce as youth center volunteers, and she chose the occasion of the spring fundraiser to do it. Judging from the size of the crowd, plenty of people wanted the opportunity to see professional hockey players up close and personal, especially dressed in their best black-tie apparel.

Shannon couldn’t blame them, because she found hockey players darn sexy. Especially the ones she had by her side tonight. Sure, Noah was taken, and so was Trenton, but a girl could look from afar, right? Besides, the third member of the hockey-playing trio came to the event without a date, and he might be the sexiest one of all.

Finally, last but certainly not least, Austin Wilke will be joining the San Antonio Youth Center as a volunteer this summer, as well. A left-winger for the Generals, Austin hails from Iowa, and in addition to hockey, he enjoys Formula One racing, home cooked meals, and corny movies, Shannon said, reading from the brief introduction Austin had prepared. She liked him already, and she suspected that the kids who hung out at the center would as well.

As she handed Austin the microphone to say a few words, Shannon took note of the high cheek bones, brown eyes, and the wisp of deep brown hair that fell over his forehead, and sucked in a breath. Yes, he was easily the sexiest of her trio of volunteers, and Shannon’s already wonderful year was looking even better.

***

Talk about being out of his element. Austin didn’t do crowds, formal, or speeches very well at all, yet here he was, expected to speak to a crowd of prospective donors about why they should open their wallets or get out their checkbooks in support of the San Antonio Youth Center. Like he knew? He’d never set foot in the place before. He just knew he had to be there, because San Antonio was his home now, and if there was something Austin could do to help the troubled kids in his new city avoid falling into a life of gangs, crime, and violence, he had to do it.

As soon as he arrived at the benefit, Austin discovered the volunteer position came with other perks, in the form of the director. And what a form it was. Shannon Eaves was smoking hot, with skin the color of coffee—with a bit of cream—and tight, dark curls. Yeah, if Austin got to see her every day, his summer vacation would be fine, even if it did start a lot earlier than anyone in the Generals organization expected. They were supposed to be in the playoffs right now, not finding ways to fill the next five months until the new season began.

Austin took the microphone from Shannon as the crowd applauded. Having finished only his fourth year in the NHL, and playing on the fourth line, he was no big-name celebrity. At least he didn’t think of himself that way, but if someone else wanted to, he wouldn’t complain. Thank you, he said. Thanks for coming out tonight to learn a little bit about what we’re doing here at the Youth Center. Or if you only came for the food or the music, that’s okay, too. A ripple of laughter filled the room.

It’s okay, because I’m confident that by the time the night is over, you’ll be a believer in what Shannon and her team are doing here in south San Antonio. I know I already am, and that’s why I’m excited to be giving my time as a center volunteer this summer. And hey, if you follow hockey at all, you know I’ve got plenty of time on my hands now. More laughter, and Austin didn’t mind, even if it was at the expense of the Generals’ failure to qualify for the playoffs.

He talked for another couple of minutes about gang problems in his hometown, and the importance of young, troubled kids having positive role models and something to with their time, but he kept it generic. He had to, because if he told them about Laken, and the reason why this cause was so important to him, Austin might break down. He was all but certain he would break down, and that wouldn’t do much for his image, would it?

For not having prepared any remarks, and deliberately striving to keep things from getting too personal, Austin thought it sounded decent. Better than saying he was only here because he lost a bet, which had been his original plan. It would have been a lie, and something he only considered because the truth risked vulnerability. Since Austin hated to lie, he went with the truth, but not so much truth that he came across as a wuss. It was a fine line, and Austin probably cared too much about his image, but he was a professional athlete, after all. Wasn’t image everything?

As he finished talking and set the mic down, the music started and the crowd began to mingle. Austin watched as Trent quickly exited the stage to find his girl, and then led her out to the dance floor. They probably wouldn’t be long for this shindig now, and he didn’t blame them. Trent and Lauren’s relationship was still in that new stage when they couldn’t get enough of each other, and good for them. Austin, on the other hand, had nothing better to do, so he might as well stay. Maybe he could score a dance with the sexy director.

His chances looked promising, anyway, as he’d no sooner gotten a beer at the cash bar when he saw Shannon heading toward him. Hey, he said, trying for his most charming smile. Buy you a drink?

After a second, she nodded. Sure. Chardonnay, please.

He gave the bartender the money, and Shannon took the glass of wine that was poured for her. You took off from the stage so fast, I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you for being here tonight and for offering your time.

I was thirsty, what with giving that long-winded speech and all, he said dryly.

Yes, I think yours lasted four minutes and six seconds, which was the longest of all of them. Shannon laughed. You hockey guys aren’t big talkers, are you?

Austin shrugged. Depends on what we’re talking about, I guess. As for the thanks, you’re welcome. I’m happy to offer my time, and I think it’ll be fun. Just don’t ask me to help the kids with math homework, okay?

I get that a lot, Shannon said. Doesn’t anyone like math?

Beats me. Austin shrugged. Maybe Trent will turn out to be your math expert.

I hope so.

Out of the corner of his eye, Austin noticed Trent and Lauren heading for the door. Yeah, that didn’t last long. At least he’s getting laid tonight, Austin thought. His own prospects for that were slim, but it never hurt to try to put the framework in place for down the road. Besides, Shannon was one stunning woman. Care to dance?

Shannon hesitated, but shook her head. It’s an intriguing offer, but I’m afraid I have to decline, since I’m working tonight. Image, you know?

Austin nodded. Sure. Image. How about a rain check, then, for some time when you aren’t working? He suggested. "After all, you did say the offer intrigued you."

That I did. She smiled. Yes, I’ll take that rain check. Thank you, Austin.

"No, thank you." He didn’t know how or when it would happen, but Austin had every intention of collecting on that rain check.

Chapter Two

It was official. Austin hated the offseason when there were no playoffs. Having spent his first two NHL seasons with Tampa Bay, he’d become accustomed to playoff hockey, even if he’d never hoisted a Stanley Cup. The previous year, his first in San Antonio, Austin again got taste of the playoffs, even if only for four games as the Generals were swept in the first round. The loss stung, and everyone vowed to get back to the playoffs this year. So much for that.

Quite a few of the guys made the decision to stay in San Antonio over the summer, so Austin would have friends around, and he’d have something to do, thanks to his new involvement with the youth center. Still, he’d much rather still be playing hockey of the meaningful kind, and not the half-hearted three on three scrimmage he and some