He’s got his dad’s thick brown hair and his mother’s blue eyes, though he inherited his confidence from them both. He’s smart andsurprisingly funny, and he’s the closest thing to a son I’ll probably ever have.
“Hey, Uncle Cam.”
I stand and pull him into a hug. “You looked great on the ice tonight.”
“You catch my dangle in the third period? Uncle Harry taught me that.” He mimics the move he made with the stick. The one that sent the puck between one guy’s legs and into the back of the net.
A chuckle rumbles up my chest. “Yeah, those are the plays of the future center of the Boston Bolts.” I clap his shoulder, turning him to face his parents.
“Yeah.” He juts his chin. “Future since Mom won’t let me join the draft next year.”
“Mav,” Daniel growls in warning.
Maverick slumps, looking properly chastised. “Sorry, Ma.”
Hannah only grins. “It’s fine. You joining us for dinner, or are you going to hang out with the boys?”
“War ordered pizza for Beck and me,” he replies as he rounds the table. He bends at the waist and pecks her cheek.
“Okay,” she says. “Go have fun with the team. Good job tonight.”
“Thanks, Ma. Love you.” He straightens, gives his father a nod, and turns back to me, wearing a smirk. “Good to see you, Uncle Cam. Work on her for me, ’kay?”
I chuckle as he wanders off.
War passes him, patting his shoulder, and heads for us. Even after all these years, I straighten like he’s still my captain. He’s wearing a long-sleeved black T-shirt with the boys’ team’s name on it. It’s rolled up to the elbows, exposing the tattoos that seem to multiply every time I see him. He’s just as strong as he was back when we played too. Unlike the rest of us, he still gets on the ice regularly since he coaches the high school team.
“You’re making Beck go to college, right?” Hannah says in greeting.
I glance at War, knowing full well he isn’t. Brayden was drafted at eighteen, and he’s now the captain of our team, just like his old man was. But I’ll let him handle Hannah.
He pulls on the back of his neck, head ducked, and peers over at Daniel.
“Oh my god, you aren’t,” Hannah hisses.
With a shrug, he drops into the seat opposite her.
“How did you get Ava to agree to that?” She grabs her phone from the table and unlocks the screen. “Ugh, I’ve got to talk to her.”
War chuckles, sitting back, relaxed. “She knows what he wants. You know how it is. These boys live for the sport, just like we did. And they’re better than we were back then.”
“Cocky as shit too,” I say.
Daniel tips his drink in my direction in agreement. He’s proud of that, and I don’t blame him. They’re really good kids, but yeah, they need to get knocked around a bit in the NHL. And when they do, they’ll be better for it, just like we were.
Hannah blows out a breath. “Shit. I’m outnumbered, aren’t I?”
Daniel grasps her chair and pulls it closer. “I’m always on your side, baby. But yeah, you are outnumbered on this one.”
“The Bolts have set up a great college program,” I remind her. “He can take classes while training. Get his degree along with chasing his dream.”
The Langfields care more about their players than any team owners I’ve ever encountered. It makes my job incredibly easy. Not only do they offer educational opportunities, but they provide free housing and incredible healthcare and mental health resources. Recruiting is like stealing candy from a baby.
Hannah only sighs, her shoulders slumping.
War takes pity on her and changes the subject, eyeing me. “You ready for your party this weekend?”
I lean back in my chair. “When am I not ready?”
