Page 71 of Delayed Penalty

There comes a moment when you realize you’re changing—maturing, becoming more of a family man, and for me that realization happened today.

Hockey has always been my thing. It’s been the one thing I have always wanted, it’s been my happiness, my sadness, and every emotion in between. I’ve gotta rage out on the ice, whether skating until I collapse or dropping gloves, it was always where I went when I needed to find peace.

Until Avery.

As soon as Avery came back, she became the most important person in my life. Once we found out she’s pregnant, her and the baby became the most important people in my life. I still can’t believe that a couple of weeks ago we had our anatomy scan and we got to see the little one and they actually looked like a baby and not a blob.

We still haven’t found out if it’s a boy or girl. We’ve been waiting for the right time to open the envelope the doctor gave us. We ended up being too overwhelmed at the appointment, all happy emotions, it was just a lot. Getting to hear how they were growing, that everything was on the right track and just thelittle things like seeing their fingers and toes. It was the most incredible experience of my life.

Now that we’ve admitted our feelings, it’s even worse because I know the woman I love is sitting alone, missing me just as much which is why it’s just hard for me to be excited about spending hours at practice.

Which is why I have a plan.

I went to the shelter yesterday and checked in on Luna—who, unfortunately, is still there. They thought they had someone lined up, but the daughter of the family changed her mind because she wanted a fun puppy, not a sad, depressed puppy. That broke my heart.

That was the moment I decided Luna was coming home with me for us.

Fuck my rules. Avery is there and will provide Luna with love and snuggles and all the attention. I live across from the park and if I have to hire a dog walker, I will. Especially because I know Avery is missing Luna so much. I caught her looking through her phone pictures of them and it damn near broke my heart.

Once practice is over I’m making a couple of stops on the way home, the main one being to get our girl and bring her home. I haven’t told Avery I’m going to pick her up, figured I’d surprise her, as well as bring her fresh bagels and flowers.

“So, is Avery going to come to our first game next week?” Miles asks when we’re finally back in the locker room after a brutal practice.

Too many of the younger players weren’t taking it seriously and went out after practice last night which, unfortunately, means they were driving the struggle bus today and pissed Coach off. He made us bag skate for a while before ending practice with 1v1 until we all wanted to pass out. Hopefully, the younger guys understand this is their job, and if they can’t takeit seriously, there’s a bunch of guys on the AHL who would be more than happy to take their place.

“Yeah, I guess she talked to Gwen and the girls are all going to come with, so they’ll be sitting in the suite.”

“Awesome. This is the first game she’s going to be at, right?”

“Not counting college games, yeah. When we dated in college, she would come to my games but yeah, first NHL game.”

“Is she excited?”

“I think so. But she’s definitely not as excited as I am. Something about having her there, for me, it’s making me so excited.”

“I’m not surprised. You two have definitely been getting closer and closer through this situation, I’m sure it’s exciting knowing she will be in your jersey watching you.”

“Definitely. Although, I’ll be honest, I’m more excited to see her tonight because I have a surprise for her.”

“Oh?” Miles says, turning to face me. “What’s the surprise.”

“You know how you always bug me for sneaking off from dinner or after practice?”

“Yeah…” Miles eyes me suspiciously.

“I volunteer at an animal shelter in the city, I have for a couple of years now and there’s a puppy that’s grown very attached to me and after meeting Avery basically decided she loved her.”

“Something you and the puppy share.”

I just shrug, unable to help myself from smiling. Not that I want to, I don’t care who knows that I’m in love with my wife. I don’t know, I guess it’s just surreal. I spent so long thinking I would never get to show the world how much I loved that girl, and now? Now, she’s my wife. I don’t care how it started, I don’t care that it was supposed to be a one-night stand and surprise, we’re getting a whole damn family. It’s with Avery, so I’m ready.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Not even going to deny it a bit? Make me work for the declaration of love like in those cheesy romance books your sisters read. What was their book club name again?”

“Fucking hell, it’s like the swallows or something,” I groan, regretting the knowledge that this book club even exists. “But no, I spent too long denying it, I don’t want to for even another second.”

“I’m fucking happy for you, man,” Miles says. “You’ve wanted this girl for a long time. I’m glad she’s decided to take pity on your pathetic ass.”

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