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But I wait for Hughes to say something. He's our rock. He's the rational one. He'll make sense of this.
"I need to ask her if she wants to stay," he finally says.
"Do you think she might not?" I ask.
Strangely, I’m not excited about the idea of Danielle coming home early. I'm actually concerned. She and Michael need to be able to spend a week alone together. Any two of us need to be able to do that. Has it been weird being here with just Crew? Sure, a little. But only because we've never done it before. Again, if we're going to do this long-term, in various combinations, we all need to get used to it.
"I don't want her to leave. But I want her to be comfortable."
I nod. "Then she needs to stay. Not everything is always going to be rainbows and roses. And I think she’ll have fun after some time. It's the first night."
He gives a soft chuckle. "I would've been expecting you to be all on board with getting her home sooner."
"If sheneededto come home sooner, of course, I'd be on board. And I miss her. But I'm happy she's there with you. You two need this time together. It's fine."
He's quiet for a moment. Then he says, "I'm glad she felt like she could talk to you tonight. I like knowing that Dani can lean on you. It's kind of a lot being the only guy here for her."
I actually laugh out loud at that. "Our girl is too much for just one guy. We know this.”
He laughs and I’m relieved. “I always want her to feel safe and happy and if I can't be the one doing it, I know you two can."
"I know exactly what you mean." I pause. "Youbothare okay? I really can send the plane."
Michael laughs. "Oh, I know you can. I'll talk to her. I want to stay, though."
"You know what, Hughes? Surprisingly, I want you both to stay too."
“Is it okay to remind you that you said that in a couple more days?”
“I’ll probably deny it.”
“That’s what I thought.” But he sounds like he’s smiling now.
CHAPTER 10
Crew
I fucking hate Justin Travers.
I haven't scored this entire game. I shot twice and they were both blocked.
No more.
This whole week has been fucked up. Dani and Michael have been gone for four days and I’m playing my second game while they are in Vegas. I’ve hated this whole week. But at least I scored in our last game. Tonight, so far, the Dragons are shutting me out.
But no more. I’m not some dumb hormonal teenage kid who needs his girlfriend around so he can play well. I'm a professional fucking athlete, one of the best in the NHL. I’m paid big bucks to do my job and dammit, I can do it no matter what is going on around me.
I race down the ice, glancing to my right. Jack Hayes is neck and neck with me along the sideboards. He passes over to me and I take the puck, heading straight for the goal.
This time.
This is the one.
I can feel it.
I pull my stick back and start my forward motion.
But the next thing I feel is a fuck ton of pain.
