Page 76 of On Ice

Sofia gestures to the bottle of cabernet on the table. “Would you like some wine?”

Isabella laughs and jumps up to grab the bottle. “Of course he wants wine. We all want wine, Mama.” She proceeds to circle our end of the table, pouring the cabernet into crystal stemmed wine glasses.

“So, I understand you play hockey professionally?” Sofia asks, clasping her hands on top of the table. She looks relaxed. As Luca’s mother, I’m sure she’s used to hosting dinner parties for all sorts of people.

“I do.” I have no idea if she thinks playing hockey is a respectable job or not. But then again, her son is a mob boss, so maybe respectable doesn’t rate that highly for her.

“I’ve never met a professional hockey player before,” Tony says. “How long have you been playing?”

“Since I was ten,” I reply. “Started on frozen ponds in Minnesota.”

Sofia tilts her head, studying me with those sharp eyes that remind me too much of her son. “Minnesota. Hockey is big there?”

“It’s said kid’s come out of the womb with hockey skates on,” I joke. “Every kid either plays or skates. Our neighborhood had a backyard rink on every block in winter.”

“You must be very good. I heard you’re the captain of your team. How does one become the captain?” Sofia looks sincerely interested.

Tony smirks. “Do you slip the coach a few bills to get the position?”

I frown. “Uh, no it doesn’t work like that. The coach usually chooses. Sometimes the team votes.” I take a sip of wine to calm my nerves because their stares are so intense. “For me, it happened after our previous captain retired. Coach Baker pulled me aside after practice three years ago and just... handed me the C.”

“The C?” Isabella asks.

“The letter on my jersey. Captains wear a C, alternate captains wear an A.”

Tony frowns. “What’s the difference?”

“Captain speaks to officials, represents the team. Has more responsibilities off-ice too.”

“Like what?” Isabella asks.

I laugh because their rabid curiosity has taken me by surprise. “Well, uh, I help deal with management and media. I make sure the team works together and handle problems in the locker room.” I pause. “I also do my best to be an example and protect younger players.” I don’t bother adding, “From people like your son.”

“Ah.” Sofia nods as if I’ve confirmed something. “You’re a leader, then. How long have you been with the Ice Hawks?”

“Five years. I joined right out of juniors.” At her blank expression, I add, “That’s the league before pro.”

Isabella wrinkles her brow. “Luca mentioned something about playoffs. What are those?”

“They’re kind of what hockey players live for. We’re fighting for a spot now. Eight teams make it from each conference. We’re currently sitting in the last position.”

“Oh, no.” Isabella widens her eyes.

I smile. “It’s okay. There’s still time to get there. We just moved up a spot because we won the game against Chicago.”

Tony leans forward, elbows on the table. “Ah, yes. The Chicago game that shall go down in infamy.”

I grimace, but don’t address the snarky comment. “Anyway, if we manage to get in the playoffs it goes to single elimination. If we win sixteen games, we win the Stanley Cup.”

“You’ve won this cup before?” Sofia asks.

I shake my head. “Never even made the playoffs. Last year, we missed it by a single point.”

“And that meant you were out?” Isabella scowls. “That seems completely unfair.”

I smile. “In the NHL playoffs, teams play what’s called a best-of-seven series. That means two teams can play each other up to seven times, and the first team to win four games moves on.”

They still look a little unsure, so I keep going.

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