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“I’ll go hunt down Tess and J-man,” says Caleb, heading for the door.
“And I’ll go find Kelly,” says Jake, slipping off the bed to follow him.
“And you’re going to take this,” I say at Ilmari, gesturing to the baby.
He raises his brow. “What? No, I’m going to pack your things and make you ready.”
“No, you’re gonna take this baby,” I reply. “Like,nowIlmari. Take him from my arms. Now.”
At my urgent tone, he doesn’t hesitate, reaching out for the baby. “Why, what’s wrong? Are you unwell?”
“No,” I reply, flinging back the thin hospital sheets to expose my unshaved legs poking out the bottom of my unflattering hospital gown.
Ilmari shifts the baby to one arm, reaching for me. “Rakas, what—”
“Jeez, nothing’s wrong,” I laugh, shuffling forward in my ugly red hospital socks. “I justreallyhave to pee.”
6
KING OF THE ICE
“Daddy!” Jamie squirms in my arms, trying to get closer to the glass as Jake flashes by in a blur of teal.
“Yeah, bubs. That’s daddy,” I say pointing him out.
As we watch, Jake slams a Capitals forward into the corner, fighting to clear the puck out of the Rays defense zone.
“Daddy bang!” Jamie squeals, drawing laughter from the fans around us.
The crowd goes wild as the Rays defend their zone. Meanwhile, Jamie is losing interest fast. After two periods of good behavior, he’s a wiggly eel in my arms, desperate to get down and run. But I can’t chase him right now. I can’t think about anything except what’s happening out on that ice. If we can hold on for eight more minutes, we’re going to win this game and clinch a playoffs position. The Rays could win their first Stanley Cup.
“Down,” Jamie whines. “Dada—want down.”
“No, bubs. No down,” I say distractedly, holding him closer as he squirms.
Next to me, Mars has it easy. Tuo is like a baby koala. So long as he’s being held, he’s happy. He’s tucked inside his baby backpack, sporting a Rays beanie and noise cancelling headphones, his pacifier bobbing as he just looks around, happy to be included.
I groan as Jamie kicks.
“Down, Dada—”
“Get it out!”
“Fight!”
“Come on, Rays!”
All around us, the crowd is howling as Jake gets into another corner battle. Our newly traded goalie is on high alert, crouched low, watching the action. Jake wins control, slapping the puck out across the ice. Langley turns with it on a dime, blasting down the rink. Jake recovers, skating up to his spot on the red line, guarding the zone with Novy.
“He’s playing well,” Ilmari says at my side.
I follow his gaze and smirk. Of course he’s watching the new guy, notourguy. No. 1, Hunter DeGraw. This is only his third game starting with the Rays. He’s young, only twenty-three, snatched from an LA Kings farm team on a clever trade by our GM. He’s just as tall as Mars, broad-shouldered, and possibly even faster (though I’d never say that out loud). The problem is he drifts left. He’s let in two goals tonight, both on the right side.
Thank god our forwards are on fire and made three of their own goals to make up the difference. Jake even had an assist on the last one. Karlsson put it right between the goalie’s legs. DeGraw’s been playing better this period, overcorrecting to show the Capitals he can guard his right side too.
“We’ll win,” says Mars with total confidence.
“Don’t jinx us,” I mutter, my gaze locked on the far end of the rink where our forwards are fighting to get the puck in the net.
