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“Wow,” Josie said as she got hers. “Thanks.” Another fist bump was exchanged.

“Awesome.” Terry fist-bumped Caleb again when he received his puck.

“You all should get back to our booth and help your classmates get ready,” Aaron said, bringing the moment to an end. “We open in about ten minutes.”

“Thanks, Mr. Price, for letting us meet him.”

“You’re welcome.”

The three darted across the gym in a state of overexcitement. Grant plucked three more pucks from a bag to rebuild the pyramid he’d made.

“You were great with them. Although, you’re right that Pam’s not going to like giving away the merchandise.”

Caleb smiled. “It’s okay. I’ll cover for those three.”

“Is it strange seeing your face on merchandise, like that toy of Terry’s?”

“It’s strange at first, but you get used to it, I guess.”

As one of the few out-and-proud players in the NHL, Aaron knew how significant it was that Caleb was so beloved by his fans and sought after by companies for merchandising and sponsorship deals.

“I’ve never known anyone who’s had a doll made in their likeness.”

“That’s not a doll,” Caleb emphasized. “That was a one-sixth scale, collector’s edition, premium action figure. The league did a series of them last year.”

Caleb certainly wasn’t a preening, macho sports star, but Aaron found his insistence on the precise masculine terminology for an NHL doll amusing. He couldn’t resist giving his old friend a hard time.

“It sure looked like a doll to me,” Aaron teased. “In fact, if we went back to your parent’s house right now and dug around in Pam’s old bedroom closet, we’d find a box full of Barbies who’d just love to go on a dream date with that miniature version of you.”

“Well, as long as Malibu Ken came along, I’d be okay with that.”

Aaron couldn’t help himself—he laughed out loud.

Caleb chuckled as well.

“In all seriousness,” Aaron continued, “Thank you for taking the time to talk to those kids. I know it meant a lot to them.”

Caleb waved it off as if it were no big deal. “When I was their age, I met Gideon Roark after a game. His team and coach were trying to hurry him along to get on the bus, but he stopped, signed a puck, and talked to me for a few minutes. Dad was with me, and even he said we needed to let him go, but Roark continued to talk and even offered some face-off tips. I still have the puck, and because of him, I always take time for kids. Sort of a ‘pay it forward.’”

That was a side of Caleb that Aaron had never seen in the press. “That’s a great story. Ever thought of working with kids?”

“I have. Realistically, I’m only viable in the NHL for a few more seasons. Not many play into their forties, and while I’m still a few years away from that, I do think about the future. Maybe I’ll coach. I’ve got good role models. There’s my sister… and you.”

Aaron was glad he didn’t blush easily—fluster, yes, blush, no—because his insides certainly fluttered at that compliment.

Caleb wasn’t flirting. Was he? He couldn’t be. Caleb had always been nice and that’s all the compliment was.

“I, um, should go check on my table.” Aaron checked his watch. “I’ve got parents and kids trying to organize a bake sale that also involves whack-a-mole. They’re going to think I’ve abandoned them.”

“We can’t have that.” Caleb smiled broadly. “Catch up after? I’d like to know more about what you’ve been up to all these years.”

“Um. Sure.” That was the last question Aaron had expected.

At the third-grade table, Aaron saw that everything was well organized. He only half paid attention to Susan and Heather, the parents who were helping out, as they told him how they’d arranged everything. Playing whack-a-mole and winning tickets to buy baked treats was fine by him.

Why was he fixated on Caleb? He’d been around him for less than an hour and he felt like he was back in high school and struggling to hide a crush. Caleb might get along great with kids and want to help them, but he was famous and must have his sights set higher than what went on in a small-town elementary school—even one where his sister worked.

After a rough time, things were finally going Aaron’s way. His new calm, quiet life suited him. Caleb would be here for a short time, and then he’d be gone and everything would be back to normal.