Page 113 of The Golden Goalie

“She’s like my sister,” Seb says as he climbs in next.

I turn to Gunner. “I’m not letting you do this alone.” He climbs in, and I’m left standing outside.”

“Rico, let’s go!” Seb shouts from inside the van, propelling me into action. And that’s how I find myself in the back of a stinking mini-van with three other huge hockey players. We drive through the night, stopping only for gas. We’re too keyed up to sleep, and Seb keeps the conversation going. I mostly listen; my mind is on my girl. I tried calling her as soon as I got in the van, but it went right to voicemail. I’ve tried several times since then, but her phone must have died. I rub my chest and try to keep the panic that’s clawing at my chest at bay.

Hour after hour passes until I think I’m going to go crazy. “We’re going to make it in time,” Seb says for like the hundredth time.

“Seb?”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up.” I can’t handle any more of his toxic positivity right now.

Seb grins. “Yes Sir, Dad.”

I shake my head and look out the window before trying Amber’s phone again. I want to throw it out the window when she doesn’t answer. I try my mom, but she doesn’t answer. I even try my sister, but she doesn’t answer either. Of course, it is four-thirty in the morning; so there is that. Finally, we make it across the Wisconsin state border. I can’t keep my leg still; I'm so anxious, so worried I’ve missed it. I’ll never forgive myself if she had to go through labor and delivery all by herself. I jerk myhead around to Aiden. “Anything from Brielle?” He shakes his head.

“Doesn’t anybody get up early?” I say in frustration.

“Not my woman,” Seb says with a grin. “She sleeps like the dead.”

“It’s not even five yet,” Gunner reminds me calmly.

I go back to staring out the window, willing us to get there sooner. The next hour drags, and I am ready to lose my mind. Finally, we get within city limits. I tell the driver the fastest way to get to the hospital across town. I’m so glad I went with Amber for the walk-through; I know exactly which hospital she’s at. My phone rings, startling me. I grab it, desperate to hear from Amber. It’s not Amber; it’s my mom.

“Rico, Amber’s in labor at the hospital!”

I wince and lower the volume on my phone. “I know, Mom. I’m heading there now. Have you heard anything recent?” I ask, desperate for any news on my girls.

“No, I’m so sorry. I put my phone on silent, so I could sleep. I just got up and listened to her message that she left last night. I tried calling her, but—”

“Her phone is dead,” I interrupt. “I’m across town; I’ll be there soon.”

“Do you want me to come?”

“No, not yet. Let me get there and see what we’re dealing with. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Okay, Honey.” She sounds worried, but I can’t do anything to assuage her fears until I get to the hospital. The driver says something, but I miss it.

“I gotta go, Mom. I’ll call you.”

“What’d he say?” I ask Aiden.

“There’s a twenty-minute delay.” His voice is as grim as his words.

“Are you kidding me?” I explode. The van slows down and then stops in wall-to-wall traffic. And just like that, the calm I’ve been desperately trying to hang onto for hours just dissipates. I reach for the door handle, but it won’t open. “Unlock the doors,” I demand.

“What are you doing?” Seb asks right as the doors unlock.

I pull it open and hop out. “I’m going to the hospital.”

“What?”

I don’t bother responding. I start jogging through the lineup of cars. “You’re insane,” I hear behind me. I turn back and see Gunner, Aiden, and Sebastian all jogging behind me. If I wasn’t so panicky, I would smile.

“Can I just remind you we’re not long-distance runners?” Seb calls out.

“It’s only five miles,” I call back. “You do that in a typical game.”

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