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“Of course it is. What’s wrong with you?” Hunter shoved Terry’s shoulder. “Why else would it be here?”

“That’s so cool,” Terry whispered, staring at the stick.

“Hey, Grant?” Aaron called, motioning him to come over. “Would you mind giving these guys a closer look at that?”

“Sure.” Grant doubled back and held the stick out to the trio.

“Can I hold it, just for a second?” Hunter asked.

“I don’t see why not.” Grant handed over the stick, which was taller than either Hunter or his friends. The reverence with which Hunter treated it surprised Aaron.

“Cool,” Hunter whispered, as the other two also touched it. Hunter returned it more quickly than Aaron expected. “How much is it?”

“I don’t know.” Grant said. “It’s being auctioned off.”

“What’s that mean?” Terry asked.

“It’ll go to whoever offers to pay the most for it,” Aaron said.

“Oh man, I got no chance at that,” Hunter said, sounding defeated.

His disappointment tugged at Aaron. “Come on. I can introduce you to Caleb.”

“You call him Caleb?” Josie sounded surprised.

“Sure. I’ve known him for years—even helped him pass geometry.”

“No way.” Hunter bounced in place, his excitement evident.

“If I knew Caleb Carter, I’d make sure everyone knew it,” Terry added.

Grant chuckled, and Aaron couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t want to dampen the students’ enthusiasm, and it was cute how they reacted to the star in their midst.

“Are you sure, Mr. Price?” Josie asked, seeming unsure that such a thing was even a possibility. “Can we really meet him now, before everyone gets here?”

“Of course.”

As Grant and Aaron began to lead the three of them to Caleb’s table, Terry suddenly stopped short.

“Wait up a second,” he said, before darting back to where he and his friends were working. Terry dug around in his Rangers backpack before pulling out an oversized action figure, Caleb’s number emblazoned on the little blue-and-white jersey. Terry quickly rejoined his friends, keeping up a constant but quiet discussion as they approached Caleb, their hometown hero.

Grant quickly went back to work, organizing the auction items as Aaron introduced Caleb’s admirers. “I’ve got three fans here. This is Hunter, Terry, and Josie.”

Caleb came around the table, smiling broadly as he saw the group approach. As each of them held out their fist, he bumped his fist with them. “Great to meet you all.”

“I’m a center, just like you,” Hunter said proudly. The ease he displayed in talking to Caleb led the other two to join the conversation, which quickly led to a chattering cacophony as the three talked over one another in their eagerness to tell Caleb all about their playing.

Aaron enjoyed watching Caleb interact with the kids. He seemed to take a genuine interest even as he was bombarded with information. He’d make a good teacher or coach, and that warmed Aaron’s heart.

“Would you like me to sign that?” Caleb asked, pointing to the figure Terry clutched reverently. Terry seemed suddenly hesitant.

Aaron could imagine that Terry wasn’t particularly crazy about an adult, no matter how famous, scribbling all over his favorite toy.

He watched as Caleb carefully gauged Terry’s reaction.

“How about this?” Caleb asked as he took three pucks off the table. Grant handed him a silver Sharpie. “Now, don’t tell Principal Carter that I gave you these or she’ll be mad at me. Keep playing, and hopefully I’ll see you on the ice at The Garden one day.” Caleb handed Hunter a signed puck.

“You sure will. Thank you.” They traded a fist bump.