Page 79 of Golden Goal

“We’ll see.”

He doesn’t say anything, simply pulling out a fresh roll of stick tape from his stall and grabbing one of his sticks.

“Good game.”

“Good game.”

“Fuck yeah.”

The guys make their way over, one by one, to fist bump and tap helmets with me after we trounced the Ravens four to zero. My first shutout of the season. I turn my attention from my teammates to the stands where Becca sits holding my daughter. Hadley is next to her, deep in conversation with Aubrey. Becca notices me staring and waves. I lift my stick in response.

“You got it bad,” Wes whispers as he makes his way to me.

“Shut it,” I mutter.

He claps me on the back.

Eventually, we make our way off the ice, and after they announce the three stars of the game—I’m one of them—we head back to the locker room. The press gods must be on my side tonight because I don’t have to do an interview, so I take the quickest shower I’ve ever taken in my life, and get dressed as fast as humanly possible. We didn’t make plans to meet up after the game, but I’m crossing my fingers Becca’s out there waiting for me.

“Night,” I call out to everyone who’s still getting dressed.

I pull the door open and practically sprint down the hallway.

My grin grows when I turn the corner and spot Becca waiting with Madison and my sister. What has my heart skipping a beat is seeing her with Hazel snuggled against her chest.

“Hey, you,” Becca greets me as I pull them both into my arms, tucking them against my chest.

Where they belong.

I suck in a breath at the thought.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

I give her a quick kiss. I wish it could be more, but we’re in public. Even if it is just my teammates’ girlfriends and wives. Shifting, I kiss Hazel on the top of her head, and she peers up at me, cooing before grabbing a piece of Becca’s hair that’s fallen out of her ponytail. Becca laughs softly, prying her hair out of Hazel’s grip.

Madison’s eyes dart between the three of us before she tips her chin at me. “Hey, Holt.”

“Hi, Mads. How are you?”

“Can’t complain, since the morning sickness went away.” She rubs her belly.

“Good game, big brother,” Hadley tells me.

“Thanks.”

“Hey, Hadley Jane,” Wes says, joining our group and slinging his arm around Hadley. “Hi, Madison. Becca.”

“Weston,” Hadley grumbles, pushing his arm off her.

Hunter and Elias join us a few minutes later, and we spend a little while chatting before everyone goes their separate ways.

“I’ll walk you to your car, sweetheart.” I lean down to whisper in her ear.

“Okay,” Becca says.

“Let me take Hazel,” Hadley says, reaching for my daughter.

“I’ll walk you too, Hads.”