They groan, but they go, and I watch to make sure they return to their table. I catch all the girls at their table looking at me, but whatever. I’m saving them—and the boys. Nothing good comes from a bar meet-up mixed with alcohol.
The stories I could tell them.
I go back behind the bar and inwardly smile as Conor blocks a shot from a Boston player. Everyone in the bar cheers. I swear I hear Eloise in the other room. Way to go, Pinkie.
seven
Tweetie
We beatBoston two to one. Daddy and I scored the goals with Rowan assisting on each. Conor did a great job in net because Boston seemed out for blood, but that’s what happens when they play the returning champs. We hold the Cup, so we’re enemy number one for all the other teams. It’s shown this season, and I look like a damn punching bag with fresh bruises after every game.
“Finally,” Conor says the minute we walk into the locker room.
“Get me on the plane.” Rowan tosses off his gloves.
“Hurry, fuckers. Shower, dress, and let’s get on the damn bus to the airport,” Henry says to the entire team.
I snicker because it’s not usually Henry telling the guys what to do. He’s the most patient one in the locker room, so it speaks to how much we all miss home right now.
We all get undressed and shower.
I’m midway through buttoning my dress shirt when Coach comes in. “I’ve got some bad news, boys.”
We all circle to face him, each of us partly dressed with damp hair.
“The plane is grounded.” We all complain, me the loudest, but he puts up his hands. “Not because of the weather, but because of a mechanical issue. The part will be here in the morning, and then we’ll get home. Sorry, guys. I know you want to get home. I do too, believe me.”
He walks out of the room, and we all fall onto our asses at our lockers. Every married or committed guy pulls out their phone to message their partner. But I need to see Tedi when I tell her we’re delayed for another night, so I finish getting ready, pack up my bags to be taken, and step out into the hallway.
I FaceTime her, hoping like hell I don’t wake Addison. I know Tedi said they were going to Peeper’s, but I’m sure they’ll be home by now.
She answers, but she’s not at home. From the looks of it, I’m pretty sure she’s in Ruby’s office in the back of the bar.
“Congratulations. That goal in the third was amazing,” Tedi says.
She’s saying all the right things, but I see the dark smudges under her eyes. She’s tired and I don’t blame her. This whole having a baby thing is no easy feat, and most of it has been on her lately.
“Thanks, babe.” She hears it in my voice, and her eyes close briefly. “What happened?”
“Mechanical issue with the plane.” I lean against the wall. I’m pretty sure I hear her pump going, which means her tits are out and being squeezed, but not by my hands.
“Are you going to make it home before we have to leave for the cabin?” she asks.
We were all leaving around lunchtime tomorrow to get up there, and now I have no idea. There are a lot of best- and worst-case scenarios to consider.
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, we can wait. Or I’ll call and say we’re checking in a day late or something.”
“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.” Disappointment fills every fiber of me. Right now, I’m wishing I retired last year so I’d be at home with her and Addison. I could take Addison for the night and give her the much-needed break she needs. We should probably look into getting help since she’s doing all this while trying to start her business. Even if she insists she doesn’t need help.
“Hey,” she says, pulling me from my thoughts. “It’s okay. We’re okay.”
Her reassurance means she noticed how much guilt rests on my shoulders these days.
“It’s just a rough patch, but you’ll be here tomorrow, and we have a long weekend to celebrate with our friends. And then our little girl’s first Christmas?—”
“And then more games,” I interrupt.
