Page 153 of One Good Puck
“Is this a cookie decorating party?” I ask.
She smiles softly. “The guys wanted to stick around to be your moral support when you came back. Emma thought decorating Christmas cookies would be a fun way to pass the time.”
“Thanks for sticking around,” I say to them, heartened by their gesture of support.
Abby’s expression turns to concern as she walks over to me.
“How did it go with Greg?” Abby asks.
“I still have a job.”
Abby beams. “You do?”
I smile at her. “Yup.”
The guys and Sophie hop up from the table. She comes over to hug me.
“Dad, that’s amazing news!”
“Yes!” Xander yells.
“Hell yeah!” Camden says.
Ryker elbows him and nods at Emma. “Language.”
Camden clears his throat. “Sorry. I mean, heck yeah.”
“What happened?” Abby asks.
“Greg told me that he supported everything I did last night. He didn’t agree with the way Alan handled things, so he fired him.”
All the guys and Sophie look shocked.
“Jeez. Really?” Xander asks.
I nod. “I didn’t think Greg would go to bat for me like that. I’m surprised, but really, really happy.”
“We’re happy too,” Xander says. “And we’re pumped to play the rest of the season for you, Coach.”
All the guys say yeah. A few of them pat my shoulder. Sophie hugs me again.
Warmth courses through me at the way things worked out. I have my job. I have my daughter. I have Abby and Emma. I have a team of players who were willing to put it all on the line for me.
Emotion lodges in my throat as I look at them all. “Thank you,” I say.
Abby slides an arm around me, pulling me against her. I gaze down at her, soaking in the loving look in her eyes, still in awe that I get to be with her.
For the longest time, after losing Nicole, I thought I’d never fall in love again. But I did.
“Wanna celebrate you keeping your job by decorating Christmas cookies with us?” Abby asks.
I smile. “Absolutely.”
Everyone heads back to the dining room table. I sit at the table next to Abby. After a few minutes, Emma taps my arm.
“Look what I made.” She smiles and points at the five gingerbread cookies. Two look like boys and three are girls.
“It’s you, Mom, Sophie, and me. And Xander too because Sophie said they’re getting married soon. We’re a family.”
