I hold my thumb and finger a smidge apart. “Just a little. Dax won’t admit it, but I know it did.”
“I bet.” Harper wraps me in a hug. “I know things might seem hard now, but just know that they’ll get better. I promise. As long as you and Dax stick together, you’ll be okay.”
I squeeze her back harder. “Thanks, Harper. You’re a good friend.”
“I’m glad Dax has you and that we get to have you now too.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll see you at the next home game.”
“Bye.”
I close the door behind her. It’s like the weight that’s been resting on my shoulders has lifted. It’s been hard dealing with Duncan and all his lies.
Having people like Harper in my corner makes it easier to navigate. With them by our side, hopefully Dax and I can come through the other side.
Sooner rather than later.
Chapter Thirty-One
DAX
“That was a great game, gentlemen.” Coach Andrews is standing in the locker room, looking at all of us. “I’m proud of the way we’re playing. We’ve got a tough stretch of games coming up and I want all of us locked in. We’ll do a light practice before heading to Tampa for our last game down here.”
“Thanks, Coach,” everyone echoes.
He heads back to his temporary office as guys hit the showers. I drop down onto the bench, stretching my legs out in front of me.
“That was a good game from you,” Marcus tells me.
“Thanks.” I grab my bag, waiting for the others to head out to the team bus that will take us back to the hotel.
“I know you’re not back out there with us on the first line, but you’re still playing for the team and that’s something Duncan would never do.”
“Got that right,” Noah agrees. “Did you see Detroit got crushed this afternoon?”
“You don’t have to soundsohappy about it,” Graham says.
“Sorry.” Noah smiles. “I can’t help it. I hate Duncan and he deserves it.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Jasper says. He’s not paying attention, tapping away on his phone.
“Do you think we could win the Stanley Cup and he would notice?” Noah asks, nudging Graham as we all head to the bus.
“Right now? No.”
We file onto the bus and head back to the hotel north of Miami.
“You guys want to get a drink before we hit the sack?” Bode asks.
“I’m game,” I say.
“We’re in.” Noah and Graham drop into the seats behind me and Bode.
“I’m going to call Harper and check in on the kids and I’ll be there,” Marcus says.
It’s a quick trip back to the hotel at this late hour without much traffic. Marcus and Jasper head upstairs while Bode, Noah, Graham, and I head for the bar.
