Page 52 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Liam points dramatically toward the camera. "I like her."

Jamie shakes his head. "I had a feeling you would."

Coach mutters, "Lord help us."

Toby laughs. "You've met your match, Cap."

"I've noticed."

Annette finally glances over. "I'm standing right here."

"I know," Jamie says with a smile.

"I figured honesty was safest."

"It usually is."

Liam whistles loudly. "Oh, he's behaving."

Coach looks at Jamie. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Jamie folds his arms—or at least as much as the sling allows. "I'm adapting."

Annette raises one eyebrow. "Slowly."

Jamie chuckles. "I'm never living that down, am I?"

"NO."

The answer comes simultaneously from Coach...

Annette...and every player on the screen.

For a heartbeat everyone simply laughs. Not because anyone told a particularly good joke.

Because it feels...normal.

Like a locker room. Like family.

Eventually the call winds down. "Get home," Toby says.

"We'll take care of things."

Liam points at the screen. "And don't try to practice from your hospital bed."

"I wasn't,"

"You were."

"I was thinking about it."

"We know."

Caleb gives one final nod. "Heal."

Then the screen goes dark.

The room suddenly feels much quieter. Coach slips the phone into his pocket and watches Jamie for a moment before speaking. "They're going to be fine."