“Well, no. I don’t exactly have experience in that area, but right now, there isn’t anyone else to help who might be more qualified.”
“What do you mean, you don’t have experience? Everyone has a family to complain about.”
“So what’s going on with yours?” I ask, dodging that question.
He sighs again and tips his head back as if praying for strength.
“Same shit. I love them more than anything, I do. I just…it’s really fucking hard.”
“Are they up here waiting for you?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, they can’t travel right now. They were watching from home, though.”
“Fair enough.” The doors open before us, and I drape my arm over his shoulders. “Come on, let’s go and get a drink, celebrate our win and all the good things in our lives.”
“Yeah,” he mumbles, allowing me to tow him along.
A few of the guys are already up there with their loved ones, but that doesn’t stop everyone from turning our way when we step inside.
I scan the happy faces, and the second I see her, I swear, everything inside me settles.
She’s the only one I want to celebrate this win with.
If only I could drag her out of here, take her home, and celebrate in the way I really want.
“You’re a lucky motherfucker, Handsy,” Monroe mutters beside me as I take off toward my girl.
My girl.
Fuck. That’s something I’ve never said, let alone thought about before.
Her smile only gets wider as I get closer, but before I can say anything, someone else jumps between us. Someone who is equally as excited, only in a slightly different way.
“Amazing game tonight, Cole,” Brian says, holding his hand out for me to shake.
The moment I slide my palm against his, he pulls me in for a man hug, slapping my back.
Behind him, Freya bursts out laughing. Casey looks over and smirks while Monroe joins them.
“Great game tonight, Hayden,” Casey says, while Freya’s eyes remain locked on mine.
Neither of us are saying any words, but I can’t help but feel like there is an unspoken promise being passed between us.
Brian chatters away about a couple of my saves tonight, but honestly, I barely hear him. My only thought is getting to his daughter.
“Thanks, man,” I say, hoping I sound enthusiastic enough. “So glad you could get out to make the game.”
“I wasn’t going to be anywhere else tonight,” he says, following me toward Freya.
“Hey,” I say, suddenly nervous now that I’m standing before her.Fuck, she looks good in my jersey. It was a risk leaving it for her. But it also felt right.
“Hey, great performance tonight,” she says before suddenly surging forward and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
I still, shocked by her sudden need to touch me.
It takes a second before I remember that I should probably be doing something and wrap my arms around her, squeezing her a little as I suck in a breath laced with her scent.
Our embrace lasts a little longer than a normal platonic hug would, and when we finally pull back, I discover that everyone surrounding us is watching closely.
