“Gentlemen.” Coach Barney calls everyone’s attention to him in the center of the locker room and the music shuts off. “I know there are going to be a lot more celebrations going on, but I wanted to take a minute and tell you how proud I am of you. You played a hell of a series. No game is a given. You earned every goal out there on the ice. This team was resilient through the ups and downs, and we came out on top.”
Everyone starts clapping and cheering.
“I won’t keep you, but I just wanted to say thank you. You made me look good out there. Take care of yourselves this offseason and I’ll see you in a few months.”
Coach Barney starts going around to talk to each of the guys, and I go back to finishing sorting out what’s in my locker.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Cash starts, dropping an empty stick of deodorant in the trash bin behind him.
“Don’t hurt yourself.” Troy laughs from his other side.
Cash flips him off and looks to me. “I’m thinking we need to celebrate our win.”
That has me confused. “What have we been doing since? I thought those were damn good celebrations.”
This also earns me a finger and Troy and I both laugh at him before Coach comes over to us, interrupting our conversation.
“Gentlemen. I’m assuming you know how to handle yourselves this offseason?”
“Yes, Coach,” we all answer at the same time.
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder. “We were lucky to get you, Paddy. Couldn’t have managed this run without you.”
I’m beaming. I don’t care if the smile on my face takes up my whole head. “Thanks. I still can’t believe we won the Cup.”
“Enjoy it. These don’t come around often.”
I nod at him as he continues moving down the line of guys.
“See?” Cash pulls my attention back to him. “Coach says we should enjoy the win, which leads me to what I was saying earlier. We should head to Vegas to have one big celebration.”
Troy ponders the thought. “You know, I don’t hate that idea.”
“Wow, a ringing endorsement,” Cash deadpans. “Who said I invited you?”
Troy scoffs, “I’m inviting myself then.”
I laugh at the two of them. This is one of the reasons I loved getting traded here. The camaraderie is like nothing I’ve ever had. I had a close group of guys that I still miss in Nashville, but every member of the team has welcomed me here with open arms.
“I’m down to go.”
Cash smiles at me. “See? Paddy here is invited.”
“Fuck you.” Troy laughs at him. “My wife is besties with your girlfriend. Of course we’re coming.”
“Hey. Can I come?” Nick walks over to us, hands on his hips.
“I mean, the goalie gets an automatic invite,” Cash says. “All those saves you made to get us the Cup? Hell, I’ll pay for your ticket.”
A blush creeps up his neck. Something I’ve learned aboutNick is he hates being in the spotlight. Even more so now because of his relationship with our GM.
“No need. Are the partners invited?” he asks.
“Yes. As if we could leave them at home,” Cash tells him before turning to me. “Want to bring Alice?”
“I’d love to. I’ll talk to her and see if her work schedule is clear.”
“Awesome. Let’s do it. Say, next weekend?” Cash asks, looking around.
