Penny groaned and tilted her head back. “Thanks for the mental image, Anna. And where’s Jack? I shouldn’t have to deal with this alone.”
“He’s at the grill,” Dax muttered grumpily, nodding toward the other side of Fox’s yard where most of the players were milling around the gigantic grill, which seemed to have as big of an ego problem as any member of the Hawks. “Even the fight for the stupid tongs, the guy has to win — but then he can’t score a goal!”
“Don’t take your bad mood out on your siblings, Dax,” Lucy said warningly but with a hint of sympathy in her voice. “It’s not their fault that you missed out on the Stanley Cup again.”
With those words, Lucas stiffened — the pain and disappointment still ran deep. They had lost the second round of the playoffs by a narrow margin.
Anna cautiously put her arm around his middle anyway and squeezed him tight. Dax sighed heavily, but before he could complain, new voices drifted towards them.
“...me, the agent, or you, Austin?”
“It’s okay, Hazel. I just don’t want you to start an unnecessary argument! I want to stay with the Hawks.”
“Yeah, and Devreaux wants to join the Hawks because he’s sick of the cold weather in Edmonton. Unfortunately, Gareth Clark knows both of those things, which is why he’s not giving you the money you deserve. So, if you could at least pretend you’re unhappy with the damn Hawks that would help me a lot.”
Melody, who was walking beside them with a Frisbee in her hands, giggled and looked at Lucas. “She said a bad word...Dad.” The last word still came out hesitantly. She was getting used to using it all the time, and Anna’s heart grew a little bigger each time because she saw how much it meant to Lucas. Plus, Melody always smiled when she said the innocent word.
“Really?” Lucas looked darkly at his agent. “She should know better.”
“Melody thought it was funny, didn’t she?” Hazel said innocently.
Melody giggled more loudly.
“See.” Hazel smiled broadly. “And, Penny, can we talk, please?” She hooked her arm with the Hawks’ co-owner and pulled her across the lawn. “Don’t you want to negotiate for Fox and Devreaux...”
“Oh, no,” the Hawks owner interrupted hastily. “I’m not getting involved. The contract stuff has always been Gare’s thing!”
“But he’s doing a terrible job!”
Penny laughed. “At upsetting you? No, he’s actually doing a fantastic job.”
“Wait, is Devreaux really up for debate?” Lucy called after them in disbelief. “The guy who sank a yacht the other day? Penny, do you want to give me and the entire PR team a heart attack?” She hurried after the two women.
Anna laughed and shook her head as the three women’s voices faded. “I thought Hazel was one of those women who's not fazed by anything.”
“Oh, she is,” Fox said. “Unless thenothinghas that one particular name that starts with G and ends with Areth Clark.”
“Subtle, dude,” Dax said approvingly. “Good thing you didn’t mention any names.”
“Dad, can I have some ice cream?” Melody asked, her eyes wide and innocent. She’d obviously lost interest in adult conversation now that no one was cursing.
Lucas sighed and gently stroked her head. “Mel, ice cream is bad for the body.”
“But good for the soul,” the girl stated seriously.
Anna laughed loudly while Lucas glared at her. “Did you teach her that?”
“Oh, she could have picked it up anywhere,” she remarked innocently. “And she’s right!”
Melody grinned at her. “Yeah!”
“Maybe later, okay? After the real food.” He nodded toward the grill.
“Come on, Melody.” Fox took her hand. “Let’s find some people and play a game. We could all use some fun today. It’ll pass the time before ice cream.”
“Oh yeah,” she said enthusiastically. “We should ask Leon. Dad says he acts like a kid and kids like to play!”
Fox grinned at Lucas, who nodded somberly. “All right. Let’s find Leon.”
