No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than Oren was gone. Through the gate and onto the ice. He is skidding and sliding but determined to get to Sanderson.
Thankfully, the players saw what was happening and made sure Oren wasn’t run into by a team member. The referee notices and is able to stop play. But I’m struggling to get over to him. My feet are not holding on the ice, and I’m going to do the splits if I’m not careful. “Oren, get back here!” I’m shouting, but he’s taking no notice whatsoever.
Looking at Maylee, who is now screaming Oren’s name as she’s panicking, and Whitney is stopping her from joiningme on the ice. Clem, Cassian, Dan and his boys are laughing so hard they are clinging to each other.
I’m watching the referee as he makes a grab for Oren, Oren drops to his knees and slides between the referee’s legs. The referee overreaches and falls flat on his face. One of the players tries to hook Oren with his stick, but Oren grabs the stick and pushes. The player falls on his ass, laughing.
Falling flat on my own ass for the third time, I am given a hand up by a team member. “You okay?” he asks, and I nod but don’t stop the curse that erupts. “Sanderson has your boy,” the team member states and as I look up, I’m astonished to see Oren sitting on Sanderson’s shoulders.
“Oh, fuck’s sake…” I throw out, not able to hold it back. The team member chortles, finding this whole thing amusing. The stadium is laughing and shouting Sanderson’s name one minute and Oren’s the next.
Skidding and sliding towards the gate I leave Oren with Sanderson because honestly, he has more control over his feet than I have. Skidding again, I grab a player that is near and sadly spin him around as he was unaware. We both stagger, and before I can stop myself I’m going down yet again, and taking him with me.
I land flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me. I turn my head and look at the player. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, takes more than that to get to me. Now come on, let’s get you off the ice.” He is on his skates, has me hauled onto my feet and out the gate before I can say ‘Jack shit.’
“Are you…” Maylee starts to ask, but I cut her off. “I’m fine, I’m fine…”
We stand at the glass and watch as Sanderson skates around the ice, encouraging Oren to wave at everyone. People are taking videos of it on their phones, and it’s on the big screen. What is so obvious is the delight on Oren’s face. He loves every minute. Now how can you be angry at that?
“Your son’s a keeper, Myles,” Banner laughs, which earns him a clip around the ear from Synthia. But I notice she is smiling at the same time.
Dan pats my shoulder. “It’s okay, Myles, this is nothing. There is worse to come.”
Finally, Oren is handed back to us, and the gate is closed. Sanderson ruffles his hair and hands Oren his stick and gloves before skating away. Oren is glowing, and I’m not going to spoil that memory. I hold my tongue, and give Maylee a look that says I’m defeated on this one.
“It’ll be okay, Myles,” Maylee coos at me, as though I’m a teenager, but the quick kiss she gives me soothes the sting.
Chapter 20
Maylee
Yesterday was exhausting with Oren being so over the top with excitement. The ice hockey was great, but I was scared I have to admit, when Oren got onto the ice. I cannot understand how the gate was left open when the game was in play!
At least when we got home, Oren took himself to bed and crashed within minutes. He was exhausted with it all, but he had the best time.
This morning, Oren went with Synthia. Where? I’m not sure. They rushed away when we arrived at the garage, and I’m here unpacking ready-to-assemble cabinets with Whitney.
“These are heavy,” Whitney whines, and I give her ashut-uplook, which gets me a frown in return.
“Come on, Whitney. We are only unpacking. The rest is not our job.”
“I’ve got this one. Thank you,” Banner says as he starts to organize the pieces of the cabinet for assembly.
“On to the next one, Whit,” I smirk, but giggle when Whitney groans.
“I’m going over to the barn tomorrow,” Whitney tells me.
“To give it a looking at?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’ve not been in the place, so thought it was right to check it out. Do you want to come?”
“No, I’m at work and got a lot to do for a fresh case,” I reply. “I would come check it out another time though.”
“Stop gassing and let’s get the next pack ready for Dan,” Whitney points to Dan who has his cabinet made and sliding into position. I’m not sure what they do to it next, but I know we need to be faster unpacking this stack of boxes.
The day passes faster than I thought it would, but my back and legs are killing me with all the lifting, bending and stretching. I thought I was fairly fit, but it seems not. I smirk at Myles. “Hey, I need to get fitter than I am.”
