“You okay?”
I look up to see Blue walking toward me with two drinks in his hand. I’d steal one, but I know it’s for his girl, Liza, and there’s no way I’m gonna risk getting on her bad side since she’s one of our equipment managers and is in charge of our uniforms.
I don’t need her ordering me a jock that’s a size too small. Nope. No, thank you.
“Yeah, I’m cool,” I assure him when I realize he’s still waiting for an answer.
“You look deep in thought, dude.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I say because it’s become my standard response these past few days.
“Well, if my calculations are right—and they always are— we’re about to do some family photos pretty soon, so you better get your game face on.”
I nod like I know what he’s talking about, but the truth is, I have no clue. But that’s nothing new.
I scan the crowd looking for Viv because she’s guaranteed to get me out of this funk I’m in, but I don’t see her anywhere.
But I do see a very nervous-looking Dutton Wagner standing by the bar. The guy’s sweating bullets and patting his pockets nervously. The fuck is wong with him?
Suddenly, it clicks. I know exactly what his deal is. Music stops playing, and the room goes quiet as Dutton Wagner steps out onto the floor. There’s a goddamn spotlight on him as the dean announces that, as next year’s Captain, Dutton would like to say a few words.
“Thank you, Dean Mercer,” Dutton says, doing his best to smile at the crowd. It’s not his thing, though, and he ends up scowling. “I’m proud to have been voted next year’s Captain. It’s an honor, and something I’m very grateful for. Hockey has always meant everything to me. Hockey and family. For those of you who know me, you know that’s true. There’s no other sport I like, no other game I play. I don’t mind reading, as long as it’s about hockey. And if I’m watching TV, it’s hockey. You might say I’m obsessed, or maybe just focused. A year ago, I would have told you that hockey was my whole world.
“But things change. I still love the game. It’s still an honor and a privilege to play. But I learned this year that there’s more to life than hockey. I learned that life is better when you share it with someone you love.”
All eyes in the room are on Wagner as he walks through the crowd and finds Bridgette. He takes her hand, kisses it, and gets down on one fucking knee.
“Bridgette Mikalski, I love you with everything I am. And I know I’m a surly bastard, but will you marry me?”
My sister is sobbing and nodding as she falls into his arms. They kiss, and the place erupts in applause.
Everyone seems to be moving toward them, eager to congratulate the happy couple. But I’m moving in the other direction. It’s not that I’m not happy; I am. Bridgette deserves the best, and that's what Dutton gives her. But I don’t need to wait in line for a hug. I can congratulate them later. Hell, we live in the same house, and I guarantee we’ll all spend every holidaytogether, too. There will be plenty of opportunities for me to wish them the best.
I wander over to the bar and it looks like half the team had the same idea I did. Blue hands me a beer so we can toast to the happy couple. “You decided to escape the mob, huh?” I say, pointing to the crown that just keeps growing.
“Yep,” Blue says, looping his arm through Liza’s. “I’m his best damn friend. I’m not waiting around for a bro hug and a slap on the back. I’ll collect later.”
“Same here,” I agree. Viv’s at the far end of the bar with JT and Maggie, so I wave at Blue and Liza before heading in her direction. She reaches up to kiss me and the world just feels right.
“What are you guys up to?” I ask, since they’re staring at their phones.
“JT and Maggie found a place in Portland,” Viv says, handing her phone over. I scroll through the pics, nodding and saying all the right things. Because, again, I’m not an asshole. And I genuinely am happy for JT and his girl. He’s been my best friend since we started training camp together three years ago. He’s the best guy I know. And Maggie is perfect for him. And Calla is the cutest baby in the entire world. They deserve all the good things, including a kick-ass house with a big back yard and a swingset.
The fact that they found a house is great.
And it’s great that my sister’s engaged.
But holy fuckballs, everything is changing, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.
“You’ve got a beverage?” Ollie asks, carrying a tray he clearly stole from a server. Next to him, his wife, Fallon, just shrugs. They have only been married six months, but the woman already knows there’s no tempering Ollie’s brand of crazy. You can’t fight it, so you just go along for the ride.
“Yeah,” I say, holding up the beer Blue gave me. “Are we toasting these two crazy kids?” I ask, pointing at JT and Maggie.
“Nah, we already toasted them. You missed it. Now we’re celebrating Viv’s new job.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. They shouldn’t. I’ve known for weeks that she was applying for the yoga instructor position on the cruise ship. And I knew she was on the short list of candidates. Again, none of this is fucking new. So why does it feel like I’m getting blindsided?
I feel like I’m losing my shit a little here, but when I look down at Viv, I can’t help but smile. She’s so damn excited that she’s clapping. It’s fucking adorable.
