I spent years worrying that I wouldn’t actually belong in a locker room like this and that all the players I encountered would treat me like Dirk did. But every day, this group of guys proves me wrong.
“Hi,” Avery chirps. “Addie, are you there?”
Laughing, JJ pushes the phone toward me.
“Hi, Avey girl.”
“I’m wearing your number. Auntie Sara said number thirteen is lucky, right, Mimi?”
Cat replies, “Yes, because it used to be Uncle Brooks’s number.”
I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. “You make me feel so special,” I tell her. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“I can’t wait to see you. Mimi says I have to sleep at her house tonight because you will be busy after the game, but I really want to come home with you guys. Can I?”
“Avery,” Cat chides.
I look at JJ, my expression pathetic, I’m sure. Because as nice as it was to have a whole night to just the two of us, I already miss her fiercely.
Lips kicking up, he gives me a single nod.
Holding back a little squeal, I say, “I’ve been given the okay by Daddy. If you can stay up and wait for us, we’ll take you home after the game.”
“Yay. You’re the very best, Addie. I love you.”
My heart swells. “I love you too. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Remember: kick some hockey player butt.”
The group around me laughs, the atmosphere in the room light.
“I’ll try.”
Gavin gives us a look. “Can I continue now?”
JJ says a quick goodbye to his daughter, then stashes his phone.
“As I was saying,” Gavin continues, “tonight is a big night. With our new goalie playing, there will be more eyes on us.” He scans the guys, standing tall. “That means tonight is the perfect opportunity for every single one of you to go out there and show the rest of the league how we play this game. Show them the type of team we are. How hard it will be for our opponents to pull off a win. Play like all eyes are on you, and not just our goalie. And that’s the last thing I want to say. Because that’s who Addie is. She’s your goalie.” He finally meets my eye. “She’s our goalie.”
I nod, my chest tight with pride.
“Now go have fun. I have a feeling it’ll be one of those games we’ll all remember.”
Jarred, always one to get pumped up, slaps my back and chants “Angles, Angles.”
Grinning, JJ joins him.
Bobby stands, bouncing and waving his hands, summoningeveryone to join in. Bray shakes his head, but he nods at me, a hint of a smile on his face, and joins in as well.
JJ’s full focus is on me, his face split with happiness.
I can’t help but wonder if everyone in the room is thinking what I’m thinking. He looks like a man in love.
Maybe they can’t see it. Maybe it’s because I know he is.
Cheeks burning, I throw my arms up and wave them once. “Okay,enough.”
“Ya heard our goalie. Let’s go,” Brayden yells.
