Page 93 of Legacy

Maybe.

Felicity just sighed. “Men.”

“I thought you liked your boy aquarium,” I bit out.

“What? Sweaty guys that are in the best shape of their lives slamming into each other? It’s my dream.”

“We’ll see about that,” I grumbled, hoping Rune couldn’t hear since the woman next to him kept taking his attention away, thankfully.

By the time the Carters got back with our beers, the last period was ready to go, and we were all set to watch Atlas kick the team’s ass.

The Portland Gliders were in the middle of restructuring, and I knew that the backup goalie was right on Atlas’s heels, ready to take over. That’s what happened when you had new blood in, even though the veteran was still damn good and in his prime. But I had a feeling that the Gliders had a decent chance at the playoffs. And when they finally kicked Denver’s ass, 3-1, I was relieved. Though I knew Atlas would probably be pissed as hell that he let that one goal in.

“Lucky shot,” Rune grumbled as we all made our way to the side of the arena where they’d let us in as family. Atlas had scored us decent tickets, and if we were in the Portland stadium, sometimes he got us back up into one of the boxes. I didn’t mind fitting my large self in one of those tiny chairs near the ice, but sometimes people remembered that I used to have a life outside of Ashford Creek, and it was like a kick in the gut.

I missed playing like I missed so much in my life. I had no idea what my life would’ve been like if I hadn’t gotten hurt. What were you supposed to do with the rest of your life when something that you had worked for and put your blood, sweat, and tears into, was over in an instant?

Felicity rubbed her shoulder against my arm and frowned. “Are you okay?”

“He’s just brooding because whenever he comes to a game, he thinks of his glory days as a tight end and remembers that his end isn’t that tight anymore.” Rune winked as he said it, and one of the women passing by nearly swooned.

I snorted, knowing Rune was doing his best to make me laugh.

“Yep. And I’m all saggy and shit. But it’s fine. One day, I’ll be as saggy as you, not a single muscle in sight, and I’ll learn from you how to make it.”

“Asshole,” Rune growled, shoving me. I shoved back and pushed Felicity behind me so she wouldn’t get hurt.

Of course, we didn’t hit each other again because, with one look from Gwen Carter, we froze in our tracks.

“What did I say about fighting?” she asked primly, her eyes dancing with laughter.

“Only on the ice?” Rune asked and ducked as Mr. Carter tried to hit him.

“Boys. All of you. Why is Felicity the only sane one here?”

“Aw, I’m so glad that you think I’m sane.”

“She takes turns thinking which one of us is the sane one,” Rune said dryly. I laughed as Felicity came around me and shoved at her brother playfully.

“Hooligans. All of you. And I love you all.”

Mrs. Carter wrapped her arm around my waist and sighed. “Even you, you big football washout.”

I ran my hand over my heart. “Ouch.”

“What? One day, I hope to say something similar to my other son. That way, he stops having hockey pucks coming at his face.”

“Don’t worry, when he finally retires, I’ll continue to throw hockey pucks at his face so that way he remembers the good old days,” Rune said solemnly, and Mrs. Carter just rolled her eyes.

“Okay, let’s get over to the waiting area and get some snacks while we wait for Atlas to shower, go through media, and get through the hordes of women in order to get to us.” Mr. Carter rolled his eyes, and I just grinned.

“You really think Atlas is going to choose us over any of the women waiting for him.” I gestured towards the gaggle of puck bunnies, all speaking in rapid tones to each other.

“Hey, eyes over here,” Felicity teased.

“I see no one,” I growled and winced as Rune continued to glare at me.

Well, hell. This is why Felicity and I usually kept to the houses. We were not good at hiding anything in public. Though I knew Felicity didn’t want to hide anymore. I thought maybe we should continue. Because once things were out in the open, everything would explode in our faces, and this would be the end. So maybe this was a good idea. So that way Felicity didn’t get hurt any more than possible.