“So nervous. My baby could be going anywhere in the country.” She grips my forearms and sighs. “Is it wrong of me to hope that he gets drafted by the local team?”
Laughter rumbles through my chest, and I gently place a kiss on her neck. Relishing in her sweet, earthy scent. “It’s not wrongat all for you to want to keep your son close. But the Wolverines already had their draft pick, so that’s not likely.”
“You mean he won’t get skipped and end up in the second round?”
This time, the laugh flies out of me, and I can feel Becca’s brows furrowing. “Darlin’, if I could make that happen for you, I would, but it’s very unlikely.”
He’s going in the first round, and most likely to the Florida Panthers. They’ve talked to both Duncan, me, and his college coach, asking about his work ethic and personality in general. They like what they’ve seen, especially since Steven decided to skip the draft last year and played a year in college.
The extra time has given him an opportunity to fine-tune all the challenges we worked on, and he’s impressive. I expect him to be breaking records.
The Panthers have a good organization, and it will be a great place for him to land. Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, introduces the General Manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and silence descends around the room.
Becca takes a deep inhale and holds it. Her heart’s banging against her ribcage, and she’s chewing on her bottom lip again. All eyes are glued to the screen, and you could hear a pin drop. When Steven’s name isn’t called, nervous chatter fills the room.
Becca exhales and covers her eyes. “I don’t think I can do this. What if he doesn’t get picked?”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I say, turning her around and pulling her into my arms. “He’s definitely getting drafted. It just may not be tonight.”
Her head pulls back, and her eyes are wide. “I can’t do this for more than one night.”
“How did you do this for Wyatt and Miles?” I chuckle.
“She was a mess, both times,” Miles says from next to me, grinning. “It was pretty funny to watch.”
“Dad had a very hard time keeping a serious face for her,” Wyatt snickers. “He tried, he really did.”
Becca stretches an arm out and tries to smack each of them. “That’s because the three of you were making fun of me the entire time.”
The gleam in Wyatt’s and Miles’ eyes as they tease their mom is something I’ve come to enjoy watching. They guard her like a hawk from the world, but tease her mercilessly. It reminds me so much of how John was with her when they were younger.
Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know and respect Becca’s boys. They’re amazing humans, and I’m so honored they’ve allowed me into their lives. It’s still very clear that they will leave me on the side of the road, in the middle of winter, with no shoes or coat if I hurt their mother, but strangely, that makes me respect them all the more.
The volume in the room increases as everyone’s nerves are a bit taut with anticipation. A finger whistle immediately silences everyone, and I look to see Scarlett raising her arms as if to say ‘what the heck’ before pointing at the TV screen.
Steven slides his arm casually over her shoulder and whispers something to her, and she gasps, a gleam in her eye as she elbows him. Steven wraps his arms around his waist and bends over, pretending to be injured.
“Have those two kissed yet?” Wyatt asks Miles.
“Nope,” the people around him respond, causing everyone to laugh out loud, only to earn a glare from Scarlett.
Making the four of us snicker.
Billy Dally, the deputy commissioner of the NHL, introduces the Panthers' General Manager, and a flutter of excitement moves through me. I remember what it felt like to be drafted. It was exciting, overwhelming, and surreal. This could be Steven’s moment.
Becca starts chewing on her bottom lip again, and the corner of my mouth pulls up just as I feel her reaching for my hand. Instead of taking it, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close, picking up that hand with my other hand.
Pulling her tight against me, I kiss the top of her head.
Silence falls over Moretti’s as everyone holds their breath. “And the Florida Panthers pick Steven Bennett—”
The room breaks out in screams as Wyatt and Miles fly over to their brother, who is currently spinning Scarlett around, and wrap him up in a massive hug.
Becca throws herself against me while jumping up and down, yelling. “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,” before she starts crying.
“Becs,” I cup her face in my hands and wipe the tears streaming down her face. She’s shaking her head.
“I’m happy,” she sobs. “Really, I am. I just know Caleb would’ve loved to have been here for this.”
