“Whitlocke,” he says with a nod, even though I haven’t seen him since the exit interviews after we lost in the conference finals. Some guys stick around and do more training, some head home for the summer and train there. Others go on extended vacations. I went up north, and he went wherever it is he runs off to.
“Keller,” I return.
Then, against his will, I haul him into a hug, which he reluctantly returns with a single pat on my back.
“Good summer?”
He shrugs, looking off into the distance. “Was fine.”
Leave it to him not to reveal too much. He’s always been that way, always keeps his cards close to his chest and never lets anyone know what he’s truly feeling. I envy him sometimes. I wish I could be that detached and not give a shit, but it’s never been in my nature.
I blame my parents for that. They always forced us kids to share our feelings and talk about things. That’s not a bad thing, but sometimes…I don’t know. Sometimes I just want to shut it all off and let loose. Have fun. Not give a fuck.
It’d be an excellent trick for the ice, too. Maybe even improve my game, and everyone knows I could stand to get a little quicker. Could stick handle a little better. Check harder. Do allthe little things just a bit better to keep myself in the league for at least a few more years.
“My summer was good, too. Thanks for asking.”
His lips twitch at my sarcasm, and it’s as close to a smile as Keller gets. There’s a commotion behind us, and we turn in time to see Lawson sprinting out the door, his girlfriend, Rory, attempting to hold him back.
It’s useless. He slips out of her grip, then charges right toward us, his arms wide open.
“My boys!”
He barrels into me, folding me into a hug that could rival that of a gorilla before quickly shoving me away. He grins right at Keller, who is already glaring.
“Don’t even fucking think about it, Lawsy.”
“Kells…” he says, tipping his head to the side, his smile widening. He takes a step toward our grumpiest teammate, who takes a step back.
“I’m so serious, Lawson. I will punch.”
“You won’t.”
“I fucking will,” he promises.
Lawson is either stupid or…well, stupid, because he launches toward Keller anyway. The latter bolts, making a run for it, and it takes Lawson all of two seconds to catch on and chase after him. I stand in disbelief, watching my teammates chase each other around the front lawn like a bunch of six-year-olds playing a game of tag at recess, only this game will likely end in violence.
Even Hutch, Auden, Fox, and Lilah stumble out of the house to watch the debacle unfold. Finally, after what feels like forever, Lawson catches Keller, throwing his arms around him and hugging him close.
“I got you! I got you! Now love me, you fucker!”
“Never!” Keller yells back, fighting him off easily. He then turns around and socks Lawson right in the gut, as promised.
“Hey!” Rory yells, already marching off the porch toward the two likeshewill be the one to stop this.
Her twin sister grabs her. “Let the boys play, Rory.”
“But he’s beating up my boyfriend,” she pouts to Auden.
“To be fair, he probably deserves it. I bet Keller even told him he’d get punched.”
“He did,” I confirm, going to stand by them as Lawson tries yet again to hug Keller. I give Hutch a quick hug. “Good to see you.”
“You too, man. Feels like forever. We hoped you’d stick around Seattle a bit this summer, maybe have a few grill sessions.”
“I told you he’d spend the whole time in Vancouver,” Auden says, poking Hutch playfully in the ribs before pushing her way between us and wrapping me in a hug—or a semi-hug. It’s the best she can do with such a big belly at this late stage in her pregnancy. “Good to see you, Locke.”
“You, too.” I look down at her stomach. “How’s it going? Everything as it should be?”
