The national anthem plays, and I shake my head. Like Coach always says, time to get my head in the game. There will be time to be introspective later, but it’s not during the first period when we face our division rivals.
I clap my hands and cheer at the end of the song. “Go, Warriors!”
The game is entirely too fast for me to follow what’s going on, let alone where the puck is, but I’ve got my AirPods in. I’m tuned in to the announcers commentating specifically for those of us who are vision impaired. I had no idea it was a thing until one of the staffers informed me.
When the horn goes off, I cheer. According to the announcer, Tae is the one to light the lamp. Tae is probably now skating by to slap hands in celebration with the guys waiting for their turn on the ice.
I grin. For some reason, the game feels different. I don’t feel as isolated from the interaction. Though I’m not on the ice, I’m still part of the fandom. For now, that has to be enough.
The game zips by until there are only a few seconds of the third period left. The Warriors are up by three. There’s no way New York will beat us.
The buzzer sounds, and I throw my hands in the air. We won!
I’m not superstitious, but the win makes me hope tonight’s date will go just as well. Noah tugs on my elbow, and I snap out of my thoughts. Thanks to all of the occupational therapy I’ve been doing, I don’t need him to guide me down the corridor. After all, been down one arena tunnel, you’ve been through them all.
As we enter the visitors’ locker room, I exhale slowly. At least I don’t have to shower and change back into my game-day suit. In fact, I don’t even have to wait around. I can make my way to the room where Val will be waiting with all the other hockey players’ wives and girlfriends. However, I want to hear Coach’s speech and congratulate the guys.
Soon the team filters in. Their joy is palpable, and Raimo shouts loudly, which inspires the others to cheer as well. I join in, letting out a whoop.
Everyone starts yelling when a figure walks in.
“Settle down for a moment,” Coach booms.
We sit down in front of the lockers.
“You did exactly what I told you to do, but, man, I didn’t expect it to be so spectacular.”
“’Cuz we’re peak!” Raimo shouts.
Coach chuckles. “Every one of you put it out on the line tonight. I hope you enjoy your celebration.”
Pascal lets out an ear-piercing whistle. I know it’s him because he always does it after a win.
“All right, all right. I know you’re going to go out tonight, but make sure you’re on the bus tomorrow on time. I will leave your drunk selves behind if I have to.”
“I’m not drinking,” Tae announces.
We all laugh. Tae made the mistake of drinking all night once and has never done it again. He slept right through his alarm and missed the flight, because Coach has no problem with teaching us a lesson.
After his speech is over, I slap Raimo’s back and congratulate Javier.
“Go get your girl,” Javier says.
“Remember to be romantic,” Raimo adds.
I smirk. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, treat her like the woman you want to wife up,” Javier announces. “Something my dad told me when I was young.”
“Thanks.” That’s actually genius advice. One day, I envision myself sayingI doto Val, which means I better get my act together.
Noah leads me to the room where our friends and family are waiting for us. I step inside, and some of the noise hushes. Probably wives and girlfriends glancing to see if it’s their hockey player. Just as predictably, the noise rises when they see it’s only me.
Then I hear a voice.
“Jabari.”
My lips curve, then Val is in front of me, her fingers skimming mine. I link our hands. “I’ve been waiting all day to be with you,” I murmur.
