Flustered, I overcompensate by giving them all my attention. It’s a warm, heartfelt reunion. We kiss and hug. I ask about their flights. Mom tells me she’s picked colors for the nursery.
Wait, did she say nursery?
My face must have registered confusion because everyone laughs. I chuckle along but can’t shake a thought: raising kids isn’t as alarming as I’d assumed it would be.
Not if I’m doing it with Sabrina.
Seeking her out, I’m surprised to find the two Mavericks goaltenders—Randi and Jeremy—hogging her attention and leaning in too close.
A few brisk strides carry me to my wife’s side.
My wife.
“Oh, hey,” she says, smiling up at me. “Do you like the jersey your parents got for me at the gift shop? They were appalled that I didn’t already have one.”
“It looks great on you, Sabrina,” I say past my dry throat.
She looks incredible. Different from the fancy holiday party and yet just as glowy. Is that even a word? It should be.
Sabrina is glowy. A source of light that makes everything around her sparkle.
“Are you netminders getting schooled by my goalie wife?” I sling my arm over her shoulders.
“We were asking about her disk replacement,” Jeremy says. “It’s cutting-edge back surgery, right?”
“How’s the recovery been?” Randi asks before Sabrina can answer. “Are you coming back on net, or is this it for you?”
“Hey, watch it,” I growl.
The guy is infamous for his lack of tact. Still, I can’t believe he would speak the unspeakable. Sabrina hasn’t brought up her intentions about returning to hockey. I’m here to support her decision, no matter what.
She doesn’t have to explain herself to anyone.
“Not exactly,” she answers with no resentment or hesitation. “If I had a disk fusion instead of a disk replacement, I would have completely lost my flexibility. After the successful surgery and with the right physical therapy, I can at least start my fitness conditioning. We’ll see from there.”
“That’s right, one step at a time,” Jeremy adds. “Where are you going for PT in Columbus?”
Sabrina gives the name of the best physical therapy practice in the region.
“I’ve worked with them for years. They know what to do,” Jeremy says with confidence. “Make sure you ask for Kyle directly. He’s the top doctor and a retired goalie. Best guy for the job.”
I make a mental note to follow up on this information. If I have to throw my name around to get Sabrina the best care, I’m happy to do it.
We stay to chat longer, everyone wanting to talk to Sabrina because she’s charming and kind and glowy. The air is filled with the relaxed buzz of players settling in for a few days off.
Finally, it’s time to go home.
Our family walks across the parking garage, Sabrina’s hand in mine. I open the door for her and, because everyone is watching and not because I’ve been thinking about it all day, I give her a lingering kiss on the lips.
The entire ride home, I’m dying to do it again.
Chapter 6
Dexter
I hang out with Dad in my office because he’s the only one not talking about the possibility of a post-wedding reception in Florida.
Mom clearly still feels left out by the elopement.
