AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The crowd looks shocked. It couldn’t be too much of a surprise, but after we finished the season so strong, I bet that most of them thought I’d squeeze out another year.
I could have, but I have more important things waiting for me. I have a new life to start and I don’t want hockey getting in the way.
“I feel very blessed to have played in the league with some of the greatest players in hockey history,” I continue, pushing forward despite getting choked up. “Greats I’ve played against like Nikita Panarin, Jesper Hughes, and Martin Byfield. And to have some of the best teammates by my side in my final season like Austin Gambill, Tucker McKinstry, Edvard Svensson, Nolan Barlowe, and the greatest player in the league, Sebastian Kemp, has truly been a wonderful experience.”
Fiona is smiling at me and it makes the shred of reluctance I’m feeling disappear. All I want to do is spend every moment with her. We’ve already missed so much time together. I don’t want to miss another second.
“I also want to thank everyone in the Hyenas corporate office, our genius coach Finn Moss, our owner Brantley Van Morgan who brought us all together, all of you in sports media, and of course, the phenomenal hockey fans of San Antonio. If I could hug each one of you, I would. You’ve made the past ten years of my life so special and I can’t thank you all enough.”
My eyes get hot as I turn to Fiona and Lucas. “Most of all, I’d like to thank my family. My lovely wife Fiona and my amazing son Lucas. I’m so happy to have you both.”
Fiona blows me a kiss.
“What do you have planned for the future?” one of the louder reporters shouts out. “Coaching? Media?”
I smile widely as I stare at my beautiful wife. “I’m going to be a husband and a father,” I tell them. “And I can’t wait.”
The doors burst open. I whip my head around and laugh when I see all of my teammates entering the room with a huge cake.
“Happy retirement to you,” they sing loudly and off-key. “Happy retirement to you…”
Tucker is carrying the cake with ten lit candles as they all come crowding around me, slapping me on the shoulders and ruffling my hair.
He puts the cake in front of me as they finish singing.
“Congrats, Sutton,” Sebastian says as he slaps my back.
“Amazing career,” Austin says, nodding his head.
They all have kind words as they crowd around.
I catch Fiona’s eye and she tilts her head, smiling proudly at me.
“Flamethrower,” the boys start chanting together. “Flamethrower! Flamethrower!”
“Lucas come up here and help out your old man,” I say as I wave him over.
He jumps off of Fiona’s lap and races onto the stage. I grab him and put him on my lap as the reporters start joining in, chanting “Flamethrower! Flamethrower!” as well.
My son and I take a deep breath, blow out the candles to a cheering crowd, and then that’s it.
I’m officially retired.
EPILOGUE
Fiona
One year later…
“Meet your new sister, Marla,” I say with a smile as Harris walks Lucas over to the hospital bed. Lucas stills when he sees his new sister for the first time. She’s all bundled up in blankets with a knitted yellow cap on her head. I’m obsessed with her already.
“Do you want to hold her?” Harris asks.
Lucas is silent as he stares at her in awe, like if he makes a sound the spell might break.
“Come sit beside me,” I say as I shift over, making room for him on the bed.
He never takes his eyes off his sister as he climbs up and settles in beside me.
