This should be my quiet time. I have three days off for the Christmas break on the league schedule. I could just sit on the sofa cuddling with Talia for 72 hours straight. Maybe we would have guests stop by for an hour or two for coffee and cookies.
But no.
I’m at a table with Tyler, Lainey, Shaw, and the mother of my child. There are chocolate gold coins scattered around the table, and we’re searching for the missing dreidel.
I’m smiling tightly, as Gracie’s mom stole my child an hour ago to hold non-stop. I’ll never see my daughter, who is dressed in a freaking reindeer onesie, again for the rest of the day. My mom has been waiting in the wings to swoop in like a hawk to take over when Talia starts to fuss. Gracie just affectionately glances at our family, happy that everyone is doting on our baby girl.
“The season is going strong,” Hudson mentions as he peeks over my shoulder.
“Is it? I’ve contemplated spiking the eggnog with a little extra rum about three times in the last hour,” I reply dryly.
“I meant the hockey season, not the holiday season. Your brother joining the team has really improved the power plays. Given Declan a few extra gray hairs, too.”
“No kidding.” I dread it.
Hudson presses his lips together to hide his pleased smile.“The holiday season is already exceptional since you are locking my daughter down with that ring coming her way.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t want to be reminded of my brother and his reputation that he can’t seem to shake.
Hudson walks away, and my father places his hand on my shoulder. “I’m kind of happy that we decided to cater this year’s Christmas. Nobody cooking makes it more relaxed and gives us more time for fun.” He hands me the missing dreidel. He’s holding a scotch in his other hand because he values sanity.
“Chrismukkah,” I correct him. “Piper and Mom will lose it if they hear anything less, and I’m positive Gracie’s dead great-grandmother will haunt us at some point too.”
“So true.” He winks at me before walking away. My daughter giggles, and I check to see that Piper is bouncing her on her hip while they look at my daughter’s first stocking hanging over the fireplace, with the menorah on the mantel.
Gracie claps her hands together and seems excited. “Let’s get this drinking game going. I’m off mom duty, and I fully intend to take advantage of that.”
I hand Gracie my dreidel, only for my brother to pounce in and steal it from her hand. “I call the blue one. It’s my good luck color, and I need a Gimel to take it all.”
Gracie just smiles, amused.
“No!” My instant panicked response causes everyone at the table to still and swing their attention to me.
Tyler and Lainey hide the smirk they both have. My brother and Gracie are truly puzzled.
I calm for a second. “I just mean, you don’t want all of the chocolate. You have a game tomorrow. Plus, that was really rude. Give it back.”
“What am I? Five? Really rude.” He mocks me.
“Give it to Gracie,” Tyler encourages.
Gracie touches my arm, still with an angelic smile on her face. “Relax, it’s fine. I have no intention to actually play because who really knows the rules. Besides, I’m only here as an excuse to let loose. I don’t care how it happens.”
I scratch the back of my neck and roll my lips in, unsure of what to say or do.
Lainey seems to notice my predicament. “Give it to Gracie. Or I tell everyone how you’ve been eyeing the team owner’s daughter,” she grits out.
“Touchy. What is up with this game? Everyone seems so serious.”
“Just give the dreidel to Gracie,” my dad demands my brother from the sidelines. Great, let’s add in a throwback to being a child to the night.
Gracie raises her hands. “What the hell is going on?
Suddenly it finally hits me what I’m about to do. I’m not nervous, I’m ready.
My brother seems to grasp that we are all imploring him to follow along. He slowly hands Gracie the dreidel, and his face screws up because he is trying to make sense of this situation.
“Spin it, and don’t be gentle,” I quietly implore the mother of our child.
