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“No shit.” Benny laughs. “I didn’t say anything to Maeve. I wanted to surprise her.”
My face pulls in disgust. “That’s fucking adorable. Now shut up before I black your other eye.”
“You can try. I gave you the first one, bro. The next one you’ll have to work for,” Benny taunts.
“Hayes, you better quit while you’re ahead, man. Sexy was nice enough to let you live last time.” Murphy claps him on the back. “That was him being easy.”
“No fighting, boys. Let’s just go find them or some seats.” Rae whips her hat off. “It’s so warm in here. I’d rather watch them play outside and be cold.”
“Without a doubt. They would shrivel up and die, though. Softball players aren’t built like us hockey players. Just don’t tell them I said that.” My beanie pushed back on my head now because of the overly warm stadium, I turn and lead us down to the first level. “We can grab some seats and then see about the locker room.” Since it’s so far from home and a last-minute scrimmage game, we’re literally the only people from FU here. Hell, we’re so early we’re just about the only people here.
“Looks like we’re basically the first ones here. Where do you want to sit? The visitors should be in the dugout down the first base line. We can sit facing them down the third base line, or do you want to sit at home plate?” Everyone knows behind home plate are the best seats in the house. But at home games, we’ll sit on the third base line to be closer to Millie and Maeve.
“I doubt many people will be here at all. Let’s sit on the baseline, though. We’ll be able to see all three of them pretty well from there,” Raegan suggests.
All in agreement, we pick our way over to the club seats there. They’re raised off the field and definitely the swanky seats. “We’ll sit here and see if we get kicked out.” I shrug and plop down in the padded chairs. Much nicer than the ones we have at our stadium. Hockey or softball.
“I’m going to see if I can find Maeve and wish them luck. You coming?” Benny stands, waiting for us to decide.
“Yep. Should someone stay and save our seats?”
“I’ll stay. You three go, but bring me back some food, eh? I’m starving.” Murphy slouches down in the chair, getting more comfortable.
“Deal. Even though we did just eat,” Rae says as she heads back the way we came, shaking her head in amusement.
“I’m a growing boy, you know!” Murphy calls after us.
After about ten minutes, we finally make it to the visitors’ locker room. A finger to my lips, I shush Rae and Benny and put my ear to the door. I just want to make sure my dad isn’t in there giving some big pregame speech. When I don’t hear his booming voice, I nod over at Rae. “You go in and see if it’s clear. I don’t hear my dad, but if he’s in there, he won’t be pissed at you for interrupting like he would be at us.” I grin. “Plus, if the girls aren’t dressed and I walk in, they might be late to the field.”
“Oh my god. There’s something wrong with you,” Rae says on a huffy laugh as she pushes open the door and sticks her head in. There’s a loud squeal that I’m pretty sure is Millie at the sight of her friend. Raegan pulls her head back. “All clear.” And practically bounces through the door and over to my sisters.
Holding the door open, I let Benny pass through but stop him with a hand to his chest before he gets any farther. “No kissy shit in front of me. I’m not ready for any of that noise.” The dick just smiles at me and pushes my hand away, heading straight for Maeve.
Millie looks just as disgusted as I feel when Benny calls over his shoulder, “Look away bro, I’m about to kiss my girl.” The locker room is filled with girly sighs and a chorus of “aw.”
Turning my back on them, I scan over the rest of the players looking for the one I really came here for, though I’m not sure why. No way in hell is she going to be happy to see me. My eyes land on her just as Rae releases her from a hug. Saffie’s eyes look puffy, her face splotchy like she’s been crying. Rae links arms with her heading toward me and the door.
“What’s the matter, Briggsy? You sad because your little boyfriend didn’t call?” I joke. Her eyes flare, the gray looking like a wicked storm brewing, cold and dangerous like the waves that crash against the jetty when the winds kick up. I’m so focused on her and her stormy eyes I don’t catch Rae trying to get my attention until Saffie bites out, “Not my boyfriend, jerk. My dad.” She brushes past me, Rae shaking her head, her glare murderous.
“Your dad?” My confusion lasts about a second before I put two and two together. Briggsy said her dad hardly ever missed a game, that he was her biggest cheerleader. This will be the first game she’s played since he died. Fuck, what a dick I am. I couldn’t imagine playing hockey without my parents there. My ma especially. She dragged my ass around to every rink in the damn state growing up while my dad stayed behind, working to pay for it all. But Ma? She never missed a game no matter where it was I’m lucky now that he gets to see me play as often as he does because we’re at the same school. Man, to hockey without them…that would be so hard.
“Shit. Briggsy!” I’m able to catch up with her just outside of the door. Gently, I pull her to a stop by her elbow. Rae looks nervous. I know how she feels about confrontation, and the way Saffron is looking at me right now, shit just might get confrontational. With my eyes locked on Briggs, fearlessly meeting her cold stare down. “Rae, go make sure Benny keeps his hands off my sister.” She looks at her cousin for guidance. Saffie, arms crossed tightly over her chest, gives an imperceptible nod. Reluctantly, Rae leaves us but not before poking me in the arm in warning. I wait until the door swishes closed behind her to speak. “Briggsy, I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“What else is new?” She huffs, looking past me. I’ll allow it. I deserve it. And if she’s upset about her dad not being here, never again being here to see her play, I’ll let her take that out on me too.
“Listen, I know you hate me, and I don’t help with that, but I’m here if you want to talk.” Words I’ve never said to another chick before in my life, and I’m not saying them now for my own benefit. Not trying to score some ass. I’m being sincere. Why? I’m not entirely sure. I’m probably the last person she wants to confide in, but I mean it. “This is your first game without him, isn’t it?” She nods, not meeting my gaze. I bend slightly to look at her under the brim of her hat. Anger rolls off her in waves mixed in with a whole lot of hurt. I’m not sure if the anger is because I’m seeing her like this or that the ice queen is feeling feelings and she hates it in general. I get that, though. Feelings aren’t my thing either. My sisters start crying, and I’m out! But the raw emotions I can see on her face, in her eyes, make me want to stay and reassure her. “Briggsy, I know that this sucks, and you’re hurting, but I’m going to tell you something my ma always says to me, and it will be okay for you to listen because it’s coming from her and not me.” That brings the tiniest smile to her face. Had I blinked, I would have missed it. “This is some profound shit. Are you ready?” I don’t go on until she nods that she is. “The oh so wise Magdeline Sexton says that if you love a person, you carry that person with you. So no matter where they are, they can’t be further than your heart.” She sniffles and jerks her head in a nod, pulling the brim of her hat down lower but not before I see the tears fall. I can’t handle it. “Now stop being a pussy. Rub some dirt in it or whatever you chicks do and kick the shit out of these fuckers.” A snort-laugh slips out as she dashes her hands over her cheeks.
“You’re such a prick.” There’s not a whole lot of heat behind her words.
With a shrug and a flash of dimples, I don’t disagree, “At least I’m consistent, right?” As expected, she rolls her eyes at me and tugs the brim of her hat down. Before she can respond with whatever smart-ass thing she was going to, the door opens, and the girls come pouring out, blocking Saffie from my view.
“Okay, ladies, let’s get on the field and get warmed up!” someone says from just behind me. Benny slides in next to me, probably hoping my dad didn’t see him come out with Maeve. “You two, glad you could make it. Stay out of trouble,” my dad warns as he walks by us, clapping me on the back as he does.
The girls bounce by full of excited energy, their voices ringing through the empty hall. I bop Millie and Maeve on the head as they pass, wishing them both luck. Maeve tries to be sneaky and give Benny a quick kiss on the cheek, but she’s shit at sneaky. I push her along. “Get out there before I tell Dad,” I threaten. Benny flips me off and walks to catch up with her. Briggsy and Rae are bringing up the rear. I lift my hand for a high five that she grudgingly returns with the back of her mitt. “Remember what I said,” I call after her. If she hears me, she doesn’t show it, not that I expected her to.
“What was that all about?” Raegan asks, falling into step behind me.
“Oh, nothing, just trying to make your cousin not hate me so much. Or more.” With a grin, I shrug. “Whichever.”
