“It’s a surprise party,” she says, and I see everyone from the team and their significant others. Kali and Bryant and Liv are here too. So is Tierney and her brother, and a couple other coaches I know. “For you.”
“What in the world?” I look down at her. “This is all for me?”
“Yup.” She smiles. “No gifts. No photo booths or anything like that. I know it’s a lot of people in one place, but when I mentioned the idea to Grant, he told Ethan, who told Riley, andpretty soonallof the boys wanted to be here to celebrate you. I’m sorry if it’s totally overwhelming.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It’s perfect.”
I make a lap around the banquet hall, stopping to say hello to everyone who came out. Itisa lot of people, right near my threshold for socialization, but then Hannah brings me out a cake. Makes me blow out the candles the cuts a slice for everyone, the attention moving away from me to everyone else.
“Happy birthday, Dad,” Liv says, “Forty years old. How do you feel?”
“Like I’m eighty.” I steal a bite of her cake and wipe a spoonful of frosting on her cheek when she complains. “Where are my earplugs?”
“Feels like it was just yesterday when we had Liv.” Kali sighs, giving me a hug. “Now she’s fifteen, and you’re entering a new decade. Times are changing, folks.”
Maverick, Emmy, and Murphy are here, and when I steal their little one and find a quiet area away from whatever board games everyone is playing, I relax.
“Should I cancel the clowns?” Hannah asks, joining me.
“Yes, but only because they are goddamn terrifying.”
“Brody.” She shakes her head. “Not in font of the baby.”
“The baby who can’t hold her head up, let alone spell? Noted, sweetheart.” I lean over so I kiss Hannah’s cheek. “Thank you for doing this for me. It’s the perfect end to the season.”
“I thought so too. We have Liv’s competition in August, then that’s it. Nothing to look forward to as we get another year older.”
“I thought I was supposed to be the cynical one in this relationship?” I ask, and someone clears their throat behind us.
“Are we interrupting?” Maverick says, holding Emmy’s hand.
“Not at all. Do you want your baby back?”
“I mean,fine. I guess I’ll take my darling baby girl back from you and have her all to myself.” Maverick puts his arms under mine, safely bringing Murphy to his arms. “Do you have a second?”
“I’m going to grab some food,” Hannah says. “So you all can have some privacy.”
I watch her walk away, still fucking mystified how that woman loves me like I love her. Maverick laughs and breaks me from my daydream of her waking up next to me every morning this summer.
“You’re so down bad,” Maverick says.
“So what if I am?” I challenge. “Is that a problem, Miller?”
“No. I just think it’s fucking hysterical all it takes for grumpy, broody brutes like you and Liam to fold is a blonde woman who is basically sunshine fucking incarnate,” he says, and Emmy hums in agreement.
“The grumpy men do have a time,” she says.
“Okay, enough analyzation of my love life.” I look between them. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to let you know I made my decision about next season.”
“You did? What is it?” I ask.
“Emmy and I are both going to play, her in Baltimore, me in DC.”
“That’s great you two. I’m hoping for Stars and Sea Crabs Eastern Conference showdown.”
“With one caveat,” Maverick says. “This is my last ride. My farewell tour, and one final season. If at any point our travel schedule becomes too hard to manage with both of us in the league, I’m going to be the one to bow out. Emmy deserves her shot at winning the Cup, and I’m not going to stand in the way of that.”
