“You need to have a positive attitude,” I say gently. “It helps.”
“Nothing is going to help me.” He studies my face. “You guys need to win the Cup this year.”
“That’s the goal,” I say firmly.
“And maybe invite my mom to a game. She loves hockey.”
“Manny, I don’t need—” she begins.
“It’s okay,” I interrupt. “I’m happy to bring you to any games you want to come to.” I pull a card out of my wallet that we have for exactly these occasions. “Just call this number and tell them who you are. There will always be two tickets for you.”
Tears flood her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Good man,” Manny whispers in a tone much older than his years.
Fuck, this is hard.
Luckily, the rest of the visit is easier. Some of the kids are beyond excited, jumping up and down, hugging us, and inhaling cookies and cupcakes like they haven’t eaten in a year. We take pictures, give hugs, and gift them swag for the next few hours. There are reporters present, taking pictures of everything, even going out of their way to interview Juliet, Victoria, and Coach Petrov’s wife Tessa, who came to help.
It’s exhausting but also exhilarating, and by the time we leave, we’re ready for some food and relaxation.
“Let’s go to Cicero’s,” Juliet suggests as we’re walking out to the parking lot. Vaughn met us here so she’s leaving with him, but that sounds like a great idea since I’m starving.
“We can do that.” I glance at Victoria. “You good for dinner?”
“Absolutely.”
We head to the pizzeria and by the time we arrive, the parking lot is full. Half the team is here, and since there are other patrons in the restaurant as well, there isn’t anywhere to sit right away.
“Jordan.” Juliet’s mom Maria loves me. I don’t know why. She probably thinks I’m this lost cause who needs mothering, but whatever the reason, she’s awesome. She gives me a hug and then looks down at where Victoria and I are holding hands. “I think you’ve been holding out on me.”
“Hi, Maria.” Victoria smiles shyly. “Yes, Jordan and I are dating.”
Maria crosses herself and then looks up at the ceiling. “Thank the lord. I thought he was going to be one of those perpetual playboys.”
I chuckle. “I was just waiting for my girl to find her way back to me.”
Maria’s eyes twinkle. “You two are going to make such beautiful babies.”
Victoria blushes but she’s laughing too. “I don’t think we’re ready to talk about babies, but yes, someday they will be beautiful.”
“Okay, give me a few minutes. There are a handful of tables leaving and then I can move you all to the back.”
“Thank you.” I pull Victoria closer to my side as we wait for the hostess to run credit cards while Maria moves tables around.
“Sit near me,” Juliet calls to Victoria, who nods.
“We’re coming.” She tugs me in that direction and it’s nice to see her making friends with the other wives and girlfriends and finding her place within the team’s ecosystem.
“Today was awesome,” Victoria gushes to Juliet. “The kids absolutely loved the cookies and cupcakes. And by the way—so did I.”
Juliet grins. “I’m glad. It was nice to be able to do something for them. They get so excited when the guys visit, but this was a little something extra.”
They chat about cookies and baking and how heartbreaking it was to see some of the kids, and I kind of settle in and watch.
How Victoria is so animated as they talk about the day.
How genuine her friendship with Juliet appears to be.
