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His hand comes back to my shoulder. “Because I am, and Bain is, and because they love you the way we do.”
Bain grimaces and holds up his hands. “That’s way too mushy for me, but yeah… what he said.”
I laugh, feeling the tension leave my body. Both of the guys grin back at me.
“You need to go for it,” Hendrix says and Bain nods.
“Just go for it?” I muse as I take in my friends and see the truth of what they’re saying written all over their faces.
Bain gives me a light punch to the shoulder. “Go for it. As soon as we get back to Pittsburgh, you can—”
Something propels me and I find myself standing on top of the bench that runs down the aisle of cubbies. I put two fingers in my mouth and let out a shrieking whistle. Everyone turns my way.
When I know I have everyone’s eyes on me—including the coaches who are changing out of their suits into comfortable clothes for the trip back—I say, “I have an announcement.”
My eyes land on Coen for some reason, the other member of our Lucky Three. He doesn’t know about me and Danica the way I brought Hendrix into the loop, but as I see his easy smile, I know deep in my heart, he only wants what’s best for me.
I sweep the crowd again as they move in closer with curiosity. Coach West’s already changed and wearing a pair of jeans and a thick sweater. His arms are crossed over his chest, but his head is tilted and he smiles with interest.
“I’ve been seeing someone for several weeks. It started as a friendship, then turned into something more. Something deeper. And I recently ended things with her because I thought my being with her would complicate things for the team.” Everyone looks up at me in confusion. “I’m seeing Danica Brandt.”
I wait… expecting a reaction. Waiting for someone to say something, but everyone stares at me, waiting for me to continue my story. “I ended it a few days ago, but I’m thinking I made a very bad decision. I was afraid to let you all know. Afraid it would cause bad feelings and hurt the team. But I’ve very recently been convinced by a few of you that I shouldn’t give her up. They told me not to give a fuck what anyone thinks, but I do care. I care a lot about this team and I want us to remain cohesive. We’re a family, and I don’t want to cause waves if any of you think it’s wrong of me to date her. If you do, I’m hoping we can talk it out man to man. I’ll tell you then what I’ll tell you now… I’ll take very good care of her and Travis. I’ll do Mitch proud.”
I pause, taking everyone in. Some of the guys stare at me with open mouths, others smile. I swear I see Kirill dab at his eyes.
“I think it’s great you’re with Danica.” My head whips toward the voice… the most important one. Coen. He gives me a thumbs-up. “I think you two make a great couple and Mitch would approve.”
Someone in the back whistles… Andrei Komokov. “Go for it.”
Someone else yells out, “We all approve.”
“But hurt her and we’ll kick your ass,” another says, the obligatory big-brother act.
One by one, the guys come up to fist-bump, bro hug or slap me on the back. They offer words of support and congratulations. Coen mutters, “I thought I saw something there at the housewarming party. At least I know I wasn’t crazy.”
When everyone is back at their cubbies, I feel someone walk up behind me. I pull my T-shirt over my head and turn to find Coach West standing there. “That was some speech.”
“It was from the heart,” I say.
Coach nods. “That it was.” He turns to walk away but not before saying, “You two make a really cute couple.”
CHAPTER 28
Danica
“Go, Travis… go!”I scream from the stands as he accepts a pass from a teammate and shoots down the boards. It’s only a practice scrimmage before their first game next week, but I’m about to jump out of my skin with excitement.
Mainly from the fact that Travis was so hyped up today he was bouncing around like a rabbit all morning.
I’m out of my seat, hands clasped hard and my breath held deep in my lungs. I exhale on a whoosh when Travis tries to get a shot off but tangles up with another kid as they scrabble for the puck. I plop back down.
A woman sitting on the bleacher bench in front of me leans back and touches her hand on my knee. “Is it going to be like this all season? Because I’m not sure my heart can handle it.”
Laughing, I give a rueful smile toward the ice. “I think we’re in for several years of heart attacks and heartaches.”
“But the smiles on their faces are worth it,” she says.
“Yes, they are,” I agree softly.
