“Look, he’s so cute,” Addie says, showing me her phone.
Kami’s already been working on her, it seems, likely with the help of Muffy, who’s also nearby. Tyler’s at the bar, getting drinks and talking to a few fans.
For all of my friends’ worries about me falling for Addie again a few months ago, all is well now. Once baseball season ended—massive tough loss in the first round of the playoffs—and Addie had five minutes to catch her breath and catch up on sleep, we made our official debut as a couple on a double date with Nick and Kami.
You win Kami over, you win over the whole group.
And Addie won them over by telling Nick the details of the prank she played in college to get her asshat of an ex kicked off campus.
After hearing a few more of the things the douchemuffin did, not just to her, I’m even prouder.
“Why’s he at the shelter?” I ask Kami, nodding at the picture.
“He was wandering a neighborhood. No collar, no chip. Just a lonely guy looking for love. You should go meet him. Bet Paisley would pet-sit for you anytime you need her to when Addie leaves for spring training.”
“We should go meet him,” Addie says. “Look at that face. And those eyes! How can you resist those eyes?”
I can’t resisthereyes.
Her smile. Her snark. Her laughter.
She makes my life brighter every single day.
She keeps me on my toes. She challenges me. She loves me.
Ares asked me the other day if I’m sure.
If I’m sure I’m ready to retire.
That’s an easy yes.
I’ll still play hockey. Still get my time on the ice. There’s a league with former pros and high-level amateurs that were matched up by the Thrusters’ and Fireballs’ adult sports community outreach program.
Have more time to fool around with my guitar.
Get a little less famous around town so I can return to some of my favorite bars from over the years.
Start a podcast aboutCroaking Creatures.
Walk my dog, apparently.
“Shelter open tomorrow?” I ask Kami.
“It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow.”
“Next day?”
“I’ll make a phone call and get you in.”
“We make so many exceptions for these big-headed hockey players,” Felicity says without moving her mouth.
“That’s still incredibly freaky,” Addie tells her.
“Wait until she makes your brother’s balls talk,” Nick says, still having a stare-down with Addie’s brothers.
Ares grunts in agreement.
It’s impressive to watch two grown men outstare four grown men, but that’s exactly what’s happening.
