Dove
Corey Hayes messaged me. He’s threatening to go to the town council and say we’re a hazard to the community.
Leon
Corey Hayes has been a punk every day of his life. If he weren’t so much younger than me, I’d have beat him up when we were in school together.
Dove
What’s stopping you now?
Leon
Too old. Break a bone at my age, it might not heal right.
Dove
You’re not that old.
Leon
Sawyer says not to worry, so don’t. Love you.
My nose heats, and I huff a laugh, thinking of my playful youngest uncle.
My mom’s older brother Sawyer has always been quiet, thoughtful, steady. He was a Marine with my daddy when they were young men. It’s how my parents met, and he’salways taken care of us.
Uncle Sawyer is more like a dad, whereas Leon is more like an older brother, even if he is fifteen years older than I am.
“Time to go, ladies! We don’t want to be late.” Haddy and Gina hustle us out the door, and into the Rover.
It’s a half-hour drive downtown to the stadium, and when we get there, we’re escorted in through the VIP area, courtesy of Haddy’s job with the team.
Our seats are just above center ice, and we’re high enough that we can see the entire rink, but low enough that no one will block our view.
Gina explained the game to me as we drove down, and once we got to our seats and could see both teams out on the ice getting ready to play, it made more sense.
“The guys will warm up a bit before the game starts,” she says. “Then they’ll all go back, and they’ll announce both teams on the Jumbotron.”
“What’s happening now?” I nod at the plexiglass walls where females stand two rows deep watching.
Almost all of them are in Number 74 jerseys, and they all bounce on their toes, waving and clasping their hands to their mouths like they’re seeing their favorite musician or a Hollywood star.
It’s unexpected and a bit thrilling to know they’re all fawning over our guys. Ourfriends. Our guy friends. Well,myguy friends.
“Mav has a bit of a fan club.” Haddy leans into my ear, holding baby Lucy against her chest facing the rink. “They’re all hoping for a puck from him… or a wave… or you know.”
She makes a rolling noise with her tongue, and myeyebrows shoot up. Lucy’s chubby legs kick fast, and she reaches her baby hand in the direction of the rink.
“This little nugget keeps them away from Gavin… for the most part.” Haddy’s eyes roll to the side.
I press my lips together to keep from laughing. “I had no idea they were so…in demand.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Gina quips.
I don’t really feel jealous about this.Why in the world would I feel jealous?Maverick is a handsome man. He’s fun and playful, and he has a really nice smile.
Not to mention that dimple in his cheek and his long, dark hair that he whips up into a messy man-bun, which shouldn’t be hot, yet it still is…
