If they make it all the way to the World Series again, she’ll still be done in early November.
She says she’s staying in the city this winter. But come mid-February, she’ll be headed to Florida for spring training for about six weeks.
And then sometime between late April and mid-June, depending on how far the Thrusters go this season, I’ll be done with hockey.
Donedone.
I’m ready. Ready for my last season. Ready for the next part of my life.
If we can make it through this next year.
Addie’s phone buzzes against my countertop. She checks it quickly, smiles, and sends a fast message back to whoever pinged her.
“Was that seriously Waverly Sweet?” Paisley whispers.
“She’s a very normal human being,” Addie says.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Dunc, but there’s zero chance this is going to work out between you two,” Paisley says. “You’re cool, but you’re notdate people who are friends with Waverly Sweetcool.”
“She’s avery normal human being,” Addie repeats with a laugh. She runs a hand through my hair and kisses my cheek, using her left arm, as it’s gotten stronger and stronger every day. No surprise. If Addie’s told to do physical therapy, Addie does physical therapy. “I promise if I ever break up with you, it won’t be because you’re not cool enough for my friends.”
“If you two get married, would she come to the wedding?” Paisley asks.
I give her thestop talking nowlook.
We don’t say the M- or W- words in front of Addie.
“You know Luca Rossi?” Addie says to her. “Outfielder for the Fireballs?”
Paisley nods.
“He met his partner when she got jilted at what was her fifth attempt at a wedding.”
“To the same guy?” Paisley asks.
Addie shakes her head. “Five different guys. Five different engagements. After that last one, she tracked Luca down and asked him to teach her how to not fall in love. That…didn’t end exactly the way either one of them thought it would.”
“Five engagements?”
“She writes paranormal romance novels. She likes to say she’s in love with the idea of love.”
“So they’re never getting married because she has a wedding curse?”
Addie laughs. “They’re never getting married. Luca would marry her in a heartbeat, but after planning five weddings, she says it’s more important to prove to your partner that you want them for something other than a big party.”
“I hope he has his legal paperwork in order so she gets his life insurance policy if he dies.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I say. “Hislife insurance policy?”
“And his will,” she adds. “He better have his will in order. Marriage is dumb in a lot of ways, but there are legal benefits.”
“Whoareyou?” I ask my niece.
“My friend Audra’s stepdad just died, but he and her mom weren’t legally married, so it’s making everything a nightmare. She might have to quit school because they can’t afford it now since his siblings are claiming they’re the rightful heirs to his assets.”
“How long were they together?” Addie asks.
“Like fifteen years. He was practically the only dad she knew. They never got married because his ex-wife wrecked him so bad. Sort of like how Lena totally wrecked Uncle Duncan.”
