“This isn’t the regular entrance,” Tyson observes as we approach a side door of the arena, marked only with a discreet sign reading “Restricted.”
“Dex said to come this way,” I confirm, checking my phone to make sure we’re in the right place. “He put the tickets under his name.”
“LIKE WE’RE HIS FAMILY!” Blythe announces, spinning in her game day outfit—Dex jersey over silver tutu, with matching sparkly sneakers and what appears to be half a container of glitter in her hair. I’d attempted to dissuade her from the glitter, but she’d insisted that “FANCY OCCASIONS REQUIRE SHIMMER!”
My attempts to explain that a hockey game wasn’t exactly a fancy occasion fell on deaf ears. At least she’d compromised on the tiara.
“Good afternoon,” a security guard greets us at the door. “Name please?”
“Golda Adler,” I say, feeling suddenly self-conscious. “Under Dex Malone?”
The guard checks his tablet, then smiles. “Of course. Mr. Malone’s guests. Right this way.”
He leads us through a corridor I’ve never seen before, despite attending several games this season. This is clearly the VIP route—no crowds, no concession lines, just tasteful team decor and the occasional staff member who nods respectfully as we pass.
My stomach tightens slightly. There’s something unsettling about this—about being identified as “Dex Malone’s guests,” about the special treatment, about how quickly our relationship has progressed from my kids hockey coach to... whatever this is.
“The family box is just through here,” the guard explains, opening a door that leads to what looks like a private suite. “You can watch warmups from the glass if you’d like—there’s a special section for family members. Or you can go directly to the box. Someone will be by to explain the amenities.”
“Thank you,” I say, trying not to look as overwhelmed as I feel. This is a far cry from the general admission seats we’ve had before.
Tyson is practically floating with excitement. “Mom, can we go to the glass? Please? I want to see warmups up close!”
“OF COURSE WE CAN!” Blythe decides for all of us. “I NEED TO SHOW DEX MY OUTFIT!”
“Inside voice in the arena,” I remind her for what must be the thirtieth time today. “But yes, we can watch warmups from the glass.”
The security guard directs us to an elevator that takes us down to ice level. When the doors open, we find ourselves in another private corridor, this one humming with pre-game energy. Staff members rush back and forth, some carrying equipment, others with clipboards and headsets.
“Family viewing area is just through those doors,” a young woman in a team polo informs us. “Players will be on the ice in about ten minutes.”
We enter the designated area to find a small section of seats right at the glass, already occupied by a few other people—mostly women and children, all in team gear. The family section, clearly.
“I don’t recognize anyone,” Tyson whispers, suddenly shy without Dex or Elliot as a buffer.
“That’s okay,” I assure him. “We can just find seats and?—”
“You must be Golda!” A petite blonde woman approaches us, smile warm and welcoming. “I’m Kimmy, Preston’s wife. Elliot told me to look out for you guys.”
“Oh! Yes, hello,” I shake her offered hand. “These are my kids, Tyson and Blythe.”
“I HAVE SPARKLES IN MY HAIR!” Blythe announces by way of introduction. “FOR THE SPECIAL OCCASION!”
Kimmy laughs, not even blinking at the volume. “I can see that! Very festive. My daughter Zoe is obsessed with sparkles too—she’s over there with the other kids if you want to join them, Blythe.”
She points to a small cluster of children around Blythe’s age, coloring on what appear to be team logo pages while they wait for warmups.
“They have MARKERS?” Blythe’s eyes widen. “MOM! CAN I GO?”
“Sure, but remember?—”
“Inside voice, I KNOW!” She dashes off before I can finish my reminder, apparently deciding that volume rules don’t apply when discussing volume rules.
“She’s adorable,” Kimmy says with genuine warmth. “And Tyson, I hear you’re quite the hockey player yourself?”
Tyson blushes slightly but stands straighter. “I play in the youth league. Coach Dex has been helping me.”
“Well, any friend of Dex’s is a friend of ours,” Kimmy says, guiding us to some empty seats at the glass. “The guys should be out for warmups any minute. First time in the family section?”
