I take a shower and change into my team sweats and sweatshirt, grabbing my jacket and phone before I head out.
“You heading back to the room?” McVoy asks.
“Yeah, I’m beat.”
“Cool. See you there.”
I hold my hand up in acknowledgment then head out the door. I am exhausted. My body is sore. We played hard tonight, and it paid off.
It’s not like he or the other guys will go out partying or celebrating like we would at home. It’s completely different vibes here, and we need to be on our game. We’re not supposed to party at home either, not when we have games. Only healthy things go into our bodies to make sure we’re ready to play.
The cold air hits my skin, cooling me instantly. It’s a nice reprieve after the hot shower and sweating while playing. I don’t bother putting my jacket on just yet, because I want to cool off a bit.
“Hey, hockey man.”
I glance to my left and Nico comes walking out from the shadows.
I chuckle. “You’re sneaky.”
“It’s a perk of being so small.” He nudges me with his arm. “Great game tonight. Congrats on the win.”
“Thank you,” I say proudly. “It feels good.”
“Doesn’t it?” he smiles back. “Is it okay if I walk with you?”
“Absolutely,” I say.
“So, I have to say—” he says happily. “I do love the goalie head boops.”
“Goalie head boops?” I say with a laugh.
He says the strangest things, but I can’t help but find them adorable.
“So cute for such big men. Just skating up there and booping your goalie on the head. I love it.”
Oh… that’s what he’s talking about.
“They hold us up a lot of the game. When we fail, he has to make up for it.”
“I don’t do much team stuff, but I do get that.”
“It’s different for you. You perform as a team, but you still do it separately.”
“I prefer it that way.” He holds his arms out. “I do love all the attention on me.”
“You? No way.”
“Hey,” he says, giving me a playful shove. “God, you’re a brick wall.”
“You’d have more leverage on skates, I’d bet.”
“We’ll put that to the test one day.”
We reach the bus stop and sit on the empty bench to wait for it to arrive.
“I’m surprised no one is here,” he comments, looking around.
“So am I.”
