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Ryker does not know what he just did for my brother and my heart wants to burst with gratitude to the man who keeps showing up for me in one way or another whenever I need him.
Whether I know I need him or not.
“We also brought some housewarming gifts,” he says.
Seven and Briggs step forward with not just any Hawkeyes gear, but signed jerseys and a signed hockey stick.
“Jerrin, come check this out,” I tell him.
He gets up for the sofa and heads for us.
“This is my brother Jerrin, and my mom Theresa,” I introduce.
“Mom, Jerrin… this is Ryker, Seven, and Briggs.”
“Hello,” the three men say in unison to my mother.
My mom offers a quick smile but keeps to her far space against the back wall of Jerrin's apartment.
Seven hands my brother the hockey stick, covered in signatures from all the players.
“This is the official one that the Hawkeyes use to play out on the ice,” Seven tells him.
“This hockey stick is for me?” my brother asks.
Jerrin looks to Seven, who nods, and then to me.
I give him a reassuring smile.
My eyes wander over to my mother to see if she’s witnessing what Ryker and his teammates have brought Jerrin. I see her still packing but these three men, whose presence couldn’t be ignored even if you wanted to, have her eyes wandering over occasionally.
Next Briggs steps up with a stack of three official jerseys.
One for Haynes.
One for Wrenley.
And one for Conley.
Their signatures are written across their number on each one.
“These are for you too. Maybe you can take turns wearing them when your sister brings you to a game,” Briggs says, handing Jerrin the jerseys and I guarantee my brother will be wearing one of every day for the rest of the year.
“If you come out for practice one day, we can take you for a tour of the locker room,” Seven offers.
“Could we?” My brother turns to me to ask.
“I don’t see why not.”
I’ve never considered taking my brother to a home game because he typically doesn’t enjoy loud noises and boisterous crowds. It’s not that he couldn’t handle it if he wanted, but he’s never had an interest. The idea of getting my brother to willingly participate in an event like this has me over the moon.
I could kiss Ryker right here and now.
Throw my arms around him and tell him how grateful I am for what he’s done for my brother today.
And what he’s done for me.
I look to Ryker, who is the last one with his gift. It’s a bouquet of mixed flowers. He has a tendency to bring me flowers, but these are a little different.
