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“Bring the dog home with me,” J-Lo finishes for him. “Consider it done.”
“We’ve got Sy,” says his wife, Lauren. “Don’t even worry about him. The girls are thrilled to have him.”
“Just go,” says Langley, stepping in at my other side. “We’ve got everything covered here, guys. Go have that baby.”
The whole party cheers at that, but I barely hear it. My mind is still too busy churning like rapids in a river.
Then Caleb’s face floats in front of me. “Help Jake get Hurricane outside. I’ll pull the car around.”
He turns to leave and I reach out my hand, snatching for his arm. He jerks to a halt, spinning around. “Mars, what—”
“Wait,” I say, heart in my throat. I can’t do this without him here. I need him. He grounds me in a way the other two can’t.
He tugs on his arm, trying to free himself. “Mars—”
“I said, wait,” I growl, pulling him forward. I need Rachel too. And Jake. I need my family.
She smiles at my approach, which shows her excitement. But the tightness of her hand as she takes mine belies her nerves. She needs me too. My family needs me.
Kissing her brow, I keep a tight hold on Caleb as I turn, clearing my voice to address the crowd. “Thank you all for coming out tonight,” I call.
The room hoots and cheers, everyone wearing wide smiles.
“I’ve played on many teams in my long career,” I go on. “But the Rays are special. This isn’t a team, it’s a family,” I say, glancing at all the faces around the room. “I’ve been grateful to be part of it.”
Many people smile and nod.
I glance to Rachel and Jake, making a decision that will affect the rest of our lives. But I know down to my marrow that it’s the right decision. My family needs me now, and I want to be fit enough to be there for them for all the tomorrows we share. They deserve the best of me, not whatever’s left when they scrape me off the ice.
“Ilmari…” Rachel murmurs, her hand tightening in mine, and I know she knows.
“Oh shit,” Caleb says on my other side. He knows too.
Taking a breath, I call out to the room, “Every moment of my career has been a blessing…but I’m done.” My gaze settles on Coach Johnson, standing by the cake table wearing a party hat and a shocked look. “This will be my last season playing professional hockey,” I say, looking right at him. “When this season ends, I’m retiring.”
Silence follows my words as everyone in the cafeteria sits with my announcement.
The dam finally breaks when Novy calls out, “Let’s hear it for Mars Price! Best damn goalie the League has ever seen!”
The cafeteria goes wild, and then everyone is surging forward, hugging and congratulating me. It’s chaos. I’m buffeted on all sides as Caleb and Jake protectively pull Rachel back.
It only lasts a minute or two before Jake is back at my side. “Alright, enough!” he barks, waving people back. “We’ll throw him a banger of a retirement party this summer. For now, all you assholes better make this place look spotless. I don’t want IKEA calling me while I’m at the hospital saying we stole a tray or scuffed the floor.”
“We got it, man,” says Novy. “Just go—”
“Yeah, before Doc does pop that baby out here and now!”
“At least there’s a lot of beds in here—”
“And towels!”
“My wife isnothaving our baby in an IKEA!” Jake shouts. “So everybody get the fuck outta the way!”
That sentence jerks me out of my stupor. “Mitä vittua,” I curse. My pregnant wife is in labor in an IKEA, and I’m just standing here making speeches. I let go of Caleb and he takes the hint. He tears off across the café, anxious to bring the car around.
Surging forward, I join Jake in taking Rachel by the hands. She seems in good spirits, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glassy with excitement.
“Good luck!”
