“You scored the game-winner.”
He handed me the wine. “Where do you want this?”
“Kitchen’s fine.”
Alyssa hugged both of us, then headed straight for the kitchen with the bakery box. “I brought dessert. Chocolate cake from that place on Holly.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Étienne said.
“I wanted to. It’s a special occasion. One year since you two made history.”
Tyler and Kaitlin showed up ten minutes later, Tyler carrying a six-pack and Kaitlin holding a covered dish.
“We brought beer, and Kaitlin made her famous mac andcheese,” Tyler announced, kicking off his shoes by the door. “You’re welcome.”
“You know we already made dinner, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, but this is better. No offense, Marco.”
“None taken.” Étienne took the dish from Kaitlin. “Actually, I’m offended on Marco’s behalf. He made the lasagna.”
Everyone laughed, and the house filled with the jovial energy of friends gathering. We ate at the table—barely enough room for six, but we made it work—passing dishes and swapping stories from the game.
“That assist you got, Marco.” Kinnunen loaded his plate with macaroni and cheese. “Perfect timing. Tyler was wide open.”
“Empty net helps,” Tyler added. “Even I can’t miss from that close.”
“You’d be surprised what you can miss,” Kaitlin teased.
“Hey!”
The conversation flowed naturally—hockey, the upcoming road trip, Tyler and Kaitlin’s wedding plans, Alyssa’s new job at the hospital. Ordinary topics, good friends, good life.
Except a year ago, we couldn’t have had this. Couldn’t have invited teammates over as a couple, couldn’t have relaxed into this easy domesticity, couldn’t have just… existed.
“How’s your mom doing, Marco?” Alyssa asked during a lull in conversation. “Last time we talked, you said she was working with a new priest?”
“Yeah. Father Matthews. He’s more progressive than her old priest.” I took a sip of wine. “She’s making progress. Slow, but steady. And my father is talking to me again.”
“That’s great.”
“His mother video-called us last week,” Étienne added. “Asked me about the season, how I was doing. Used my name.”
“That’s huge,” Kinnunen said.
“It is.” I glanced at Étienne. “She’s trying. That’s all I can ask.”
“And your father?” Alyssa asked Étienne gently. “Any word from him?”
Étienne shook his head. “No. Nothing since last December. But I’ve made peace with it.”
Under the table, I found his hand and squeezed. He squeezed back.
“His loss,” Tyler said firmly. “Seriously. You guys are great, and anyone who can’t see that is an idiot.”
“Eloquently put,” Kaitlin said dryly, but she was smiling.
After dinner, we moved to the living room. Tyler sprawled on the floor, Kaitlin beside him. Kinnunen and Alyssa took the long portion of the sectional, and Étienne and I ended up on the short side, close and full and content.
