“Who wouldn’t want a throne?”
“Her throne is currently the laundry basket.”
“Look, every empire needs to start somewhere.”
Savannah groans. “I should have known you would just egg this on.”
I grin and lift Rhyan into my arms again, settling her on my hip. She grabs my hat and turns it backward.
“There. That’s better.” She declares.
I look back to the ice and see Remy spot me. The moment he realizes it's me, his face lights up behind his cage.
He lifts one gloved hand.
I lift mine and wave.
Then he slips while waving and falls right on his butt.
I wince.
Savannah laughs. “He’s fine. Happens every four to five seconds.”
Remy pops back up and skates back to his team, now huddled in a circle.
Pride hits me hard. He’s probably not the best player out there, but he has a determination I can see in his eyes. And to me, that matters more than skill.
I follow my sister up the bleachers, with Rhyan in my arms.
The game starts a few minutes later, and it’s like organized chaos with snack breaks. Kids chase the puck in clumps. Sticks fly. Some kid skates in the wrong direction. Another kid stops and waves at his family mid-play. The other team’s goalie sits down in the crease and refuses to get up.
But Remy?
He’s playing like every shift is game seven of the cup. Even when he falls, he gets up. When he misses the puck, he chases it anyway.
He finally gets the puck away from another kid and sends it toward the boards. I stand so fast that Rhyan almost falls on the floor.
“Yeah, Rem!” I shout. “That’s it, buddy!”
Rhyan cups her little hands around her mouth. “Destroy them, Remy!”
Savannah jerks her head toward her. “Rhyan Grace.”
Rhyan blinks. “What?”
“We say good job.”
Rhyan turns back to the ice. “Good job destroying them!”
I cough into my fist, which earns a glare from my sister.
“Do not laugh.”
I place a hand on my chest. “I’m not.”
Her mouth twitches despite herself.
By the second period, Remy is sweating and skating with more confidence. He’s still wobbly, but every time he looks at the bleachers and sees me, he stands a little taller.
