Turns out, they finally see our worth, and we’re getting paid exactly the way we always should have been—just like the fucking men.
“Aunt Zhuri!”
“Nova Star!” I hold out my arms as my niece runs over for a hug. “I’ve missed you, sweetie.”
“Mom says you’re busy teaching men how to play hockey.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “That’s the best part of my job.”
Nia walks out of the kitchen at our parents’ house now. “Go wash up, Nova. Nana and Pap will have dinner ready soon.”
Nova runs off toward the bathroom, and I finally kick off my shoes.
“Where’s Ty?” I ask.
“In there with Mom and Dad, giving them the son they never had.”
“I remember when you used to think they wouldn’t like him.”
“He knocked me up when we were eighteen, Z. We were together for three months at that point.”
I laugh and drape my arm around my sister’s shoulders. She may be two years older than me, but I’ve still got four inches on her. “And here you are, thirteen years later, with the best daughter ever.”
Nia playfully pushes me off her. “You think she’s the best because she’s obsessed with Aunt Zhuri since she’s a badass professional hockey player.”
“I mean, that certainly doesn’t hurt,” I tease. “When was the last time you and Ty had a night out together?”
She sighs. “It’s been a bit. Mom and Dad aren’t as spry as they used to be, so keeping up with a preteen is hard.”
“Plan a night out for you guys, and I’ll watch her. It’s the offseason; she can spend a night with me.”
“Yes!” Nova shouts excitedly, apparently walking back into the room as I was saying it. “Can I do that, Mom? Please?”
Nia smiles at her daughter. She and Ty may have only been nineteen when she was born, but they’ve done everything they can to provide for Nova and absolutely worship the ground she walks on. “Yes, baby. We’ll plan something.”
“I thought that was Zhuri I heard,” my mom smiles as she and my dad come out to join us, Ty following right behind them.
My dad comes and wraps me up in a hug. I don’t get to see them as much during the season as I’d like, even though they moved out to Denver after I got drafted. Said Minneapolis was too far away from me.
“We’re glad to see the new Comets co-captain joining us for dinner tonight.”
I chuckle before wrapping my arms around my mom now. “Technically, that’s a step down for me. I was captain of the Dragons.”
“And now you get to share that new title with one of your absolute favorite people,” Ty teases, a mischievous smirk on his face.
“You may be my brother-in-law, Ty Brown,” I state, hands on my hips, “but I’m the same height as you. I can and will kick your ass.”
“Swear jar, Aunt Zhuri!” Nova shouts.
I look at my sister in exasperation. “She’s twelve. Are you seriously still doing the swear jar?”
“Mhmm. And ESPN has been reporting all about your new contract, so I know you can afford the fee.”
I throw my head back and laugh as Mom starts herding us all toward the dining room.
We gather around the table, doling out our plates of food before we settle into easy conversation.
I wish I could see them more often, but the time I get to spend with my family means everything to me. I wouldn’t be the person I am without them, their constant support and encouragement.
