“Gotta look sharp for my girls.” Gavin runs a hand through his dark hair.
“Translation…” I lean over, giving my longtime buddy a shove. “Haddy likes a sharp-dressed man.”
“I like the old ways,” Owen says, pulling on the front of his blazer. “It makes us special.”
“Go on home to your wives and children.” Sax waves from where he’s standing in jeans and a bomber jacket with a cap on backwards. “You coming with us tonight, Mav?”
“Yeah.” I toss my pads into the bin for cleaning, feeling Gavin’s eyes on me. “For a little while.”
“When did you turn into a priest?” Hancock walks up, resting his elbow on Sax’s shoulder. “You used to stay out all night and drink us all under the table.”
Reaching into my locker, I lift my chin. “Don’t think I can’t still do it. I was raised on hardlikkahhhh. Purple draaaank!”
Akers holds his nose, snorting a laugh, then he lifts his arm for a fist bump. “That’s what I’m talking ‘bout!”
I give him a bump then pull him in for a back slap, but Gav is still giving me a look.
I grab a towel, stopping where he’s standing. “You got a problem, Dad?”
“Just making sureyoudon’t have a problem.” His voice is low, and I make a face.
“What are you worried about?”
“Nothing, just, you know.”
Gavin and I were young players together in Atlanta, making a name for ourselves as the Dynamic Duo, Mav and Gav. We were pretty wild, but we had each other’s backs. Now he’s here with me in LA, carrying on the tradition on the ice.
“I don’t have a wife and baby girl to go home to.” I pat the top of his shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, Cuz.”
Now that he’s married to my cousin Haddy, he’s also family.
“Call me if you need a ride or anything.” He’s acting like he’ll drive all the way downtown in the middle of the night if I’m in trouble.
Okay, he probably would.
“Relax—I’m using the car service. I’m good.”
His lips press, and he nods. “Don’t know why I’d worry. You drive like an old grandma.”
Owen is waiting at the door watching us, and while he’s not married to Gina yet, I know the two of them are in cahoots. I’m sure the girls put them up to it. I give him a wave and hit the showers. All my roommates might’ve abandoned me, but it’s nice to know they still care.
A half hour later, I’m out with the guys. We start off at North End, hanging at the wooden bar where I order aburger and fries. The place is crowded, and it has a real sports-bar vibe. Games are on the flatscreen televisions overhead, and classic rock blasts through the speakers.
The guys order pitchers, and I finish my burger in two bites. Shots line up, but I’m sticking to beer. They do a count of three and pound tequila before sucking on limes and giving each other high-fives. We’re on a roll and being together is good for morale.
I’ve stuffed another handful of fries into my mouth when Akers bustles over and leans heavily on my shoulder.
“What did she say?” His voice is hot and laced with alcohol.
I frown, trying to think. “Who?”
“Red!” He gives me a dramatic shake. “She shoved a note in your hand.”
“Oh, fuck.” I scrub my hand over my eyes. “I forgot about it. It’s probably on the floor in the locker room.” Or in the trash, I don’t say.
Who fucking passes notes anymore? What is this? The year 2000?
“You lost the note?” He drops his head back with a growl. “That was the hottest chick I’ve ever seen. It probably had her phone number on it.”
