I closed my eyes tight, letting the warmth of her hug wash over me. I was sure I was going to start crying, right in front of my brother’s players and my own student. But then I felt a comforting hand on the small of my back and I just knew that Liam had come over to stand next to me.
Maybe he realized how much his family meant to me after all.
Leigh O’Conner finally released me, wiping at her cheeks a little, and I didn’t feel so embarrassed about the wetness in my own eyes. “You know Miss K?” Josie asked.
“I knew Miss K before you were even born,” Leigh said, ruffling her granddaughter’s hair. Liam’s dad pulled me into a hug then, not as long as his wife’s but just as warm.
“Look at how nice this is!” Leigh said. “All of us here together to celebrate such an exciting win.”
“Told you I’d score for you,” Liam whispered into my ear, and all the hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the feel of hiswarm breath across my skin. I happened to look over at his mom and saw a sly little smile on her lips as she watched us. I was sure she had noticed my reaction, and I felt a familiar blush coming to my cheeks. Just great.
Luckily Jay showed up then, hopefully distracting everyone from the tomato blooming on my cheeks. “If it isn’t the O’Conner family,” he said cheerily. “How’s everyone doing?”
“Jason Briggs,” Liam’s dad said, slapping his back. “You nearly gave me a heart attack with that goal.”
He chuckled, shaking hands with Mr. O’Conner. “I nearly gave myself a heart attack with that goal.”
“I can’t believe you scored, Uncle Jay!” Josie cried, and he picked her up just like her Daddy had done, kissing the top of her head.
“I couldn’t believe it either,” he laughed.
“And the game winner, too!” Josie went on as he put her down. “Has that ever happened?”
Jay narrowed his eyes at Liam. “What exactly do you tell your daughter about me?”
Liam just shrugged, looking about as happy as I had ever seen him. He’d won the home opener, scored two goals, and was now celebrating with his parents, best friend, and daughter. Then his hand flexed on my back and I realized I just might be part of that happiness as well.
“Hate to break up the party,” Jay said. “But Skylar wants us both at the press conference.”
“You’re doing the press conference!” Josie crowed, and Jay actually looked a little sheepish.
“Will wonders never cease, right?” He looked at Liam. “We should get going.”
Liam nodded then leaned down to whisper in my ear again. “Don’t you go anywhere.”
I shook my head, trying to manage my reaction to him. He winked at me once, ruffled Josie’s hair, then followed Jay down the hall to the press room.
I chatted easily with the O’Conner’s, Josie doing most of the work. I didn’t think I had ever seen her so excited or talkative. I said a little prayer that this would be a fresh start for her and her dad.
The guys weren’t gone long, and the hallway hadn’t cleared out much by the time they came back. “We should have brought you all to the family lounge,” Liam said. “I keep forgetting all the fancy amenities this place has.”
“You think it’s a step up for you,” Jay said. “My last team played in a rec center. Our practices were regularly cut short by figure skating lessons for six-year-olds.”
We all laughed and Mr. O’Conner slapped Jay on the back. “You keep playing the way you played tonight, son, and you won’t be heading back to the minors anytime soon.”
“I’m starving,” Liam said. “We’re all up for dinner, right?”
Josie looked ready to jump out of her skin with excitement. It must already be past her bedtime. “Me too?”
“You too, Josie-girl,” Liam said. “You can go in a little bit late tomorrow, since it’s a special occasion.” He winked at me. “If your teacher doesn’t mind.”
I grinned at her. “I guess I’ll allow it.”
“You’re coming too, right Miss K?”
“Uh…” my eyes scanned the hallway. “I should probably see what my brother is up to.” Knowing Andy, he was likely already back to work, but you never knew. If he wanted to go out to celebrate with the management team, I should probably be there.
“Invite him along!” Mrs. O’Conner said. “It would be nice to catch up with another Minnesotan.”
