Page 123 of Stick It
I grew up surrounded by the team. My dad was a lifelong Timberwolf, and his teammates were like extended family.They were in and out of our home, like I was in and out of many of theirs. There were family days, dinners, and celebrations after big wins. I grew up in that community. It’s all I’ve ever known, and it’s all I ever wanted for myself.
Before I can figure out how to formulate that in a way these guys can understand, the door to Murphy’s opens, the cool night air rushing in.
Jax’s jaw drops, and Ethan murmurs, “Holy shit,” under his breath. The guys beside me turn, but I don’t have to look to know the Timberwolves just walked in.
I stifle a groan, mentally kicking myself. Of course they are here. The only reasonIknow about this place is because my dad brought me here once. Why the hell didn’t I realize it was one of the team’s go-to spots?
The guys are abuzz around me, sneaking glances toward the bar as the team makes themselves comfortable, ordering a round of drinks. I, on the other hand, shrink slightly in my seat. I need to figure out a way to slip out of here before anyone recognizes me.
Doing a sweep of the room for a back exit, I curse when I catch Vince’s gaze.
“Dylan?”
The familiar voice carries across the bar, drawing more eyes than I’d like. I shut my own for half a second before forcing a smile.
“Holy shit. Guys, it’s Dylan!”
Vince, a veteran player, slaps some of the guys surrounding him on the shoulder before making his way over. Several others trail behind him, all wearing bright smiles.
I can feel Ethan and the others looking between us, most likely wondering how the hell I know the Timberwolves personally.Thatis not a question I am ready to answer.
“Shit, Dylan. It’s been a minute,” Isaac, a defenseman and long-time player for the Timberwolves says.
“Yeah,” I manage. “I guess it has.”
His eyes search mine, questioningly. “How ya been?”
I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “You know. Getting by.”
His lips are flat, a sorrow in his expression as he nods, understanding.
“You gonna introduce us to your friends here?” Vince prompts, eyeing up each of the guys like he’s debating between holding out a hand and dragging them out of the booth. His protective nature brings a smile to my lips, even as a tightness cinches my chest.
I clear my throat. “Uh, yeah. This is Ethan, Jax, Finn, and Griffin,” I introduce, going around the table and pointing out each of the guys. “They’re teammates of mine.” That seems about the safest explanation for how we know one another.
They exchange nods and handshakes. “We came up for the game tonight,” Ethan says. “Hell of a third period.”
Isaac grins. “Yeah, we had to dig deep for that one.”
“Well, it paid off,” Jax adds.
Vince and Isaac go back and forth with the guys for a bit, discussing the game, before Vince circles the conversation back to me.
“You still at NSU?”
I shake my head. “Switched to BSU this year.”
“No shit.” Vince grins. “A Steelhawk, huh? Taking after your old man.”
Isaac tilts his head my way, but his question is directed at the guys. “She running circles around you yet?”
“She’s trying,” Griffin teases.
“Showed us all up her first week,” Jax adds.
Isaac winks at me. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from our D-Girl.” Isaac elbows Vince in the side. “Man, do youremember how she used to wipe the ice with us, even as a scrawny teenager?”
“Hey,” I protest, but there’s no real heat behind it. In fact, I’m smiling at the memory.
