Page 121 of Stick It
“I’m so sorry.” She shakes her head. “That was such a tragedy. I was at that game. Thankfully, Aurora was at a sleepover, but…it was awful.”
I have nothing to say in response. What is theretosay? It was the worst game—the worst day—of my entire life. I still have nightmares about that night. The blood staining the white ice. My father’s unmoving form, the entire team huddled around him, blocking him from view so we couldn’t see whether he was okay or not. Whether he was stillalive.
“I remember meeting your mother at a couple of the games,” she continues, snapping me from my dark thoughts. “Such a vibrant woman. It was clear for everyone to see that she loved Patrick. I hope she’s doing okay.”
My throat is tight. All I can do is nod and give a half-assed smile.
“The other wives mention her often. She’s thought of all the time, and I know the other women would love to see her, if she felt up to doing anything.”
“Thanks,” I say curtly. “I’ll pass the message along.”
The blare of a ringtone thankfully cuts off any further conversation, and I move away as Riley digs her vibrating phone out of her pocket.
“Don’t even think about barging in here, Grayson,” she answers sharply. There’s a brief pause, where the other person—Grayson—says something. “Everything is fine. We’ll be out in a minute.”
“Sorry about that,” she apologizes once she’s hung up. “He’s a tad overbearing.”
“Not with me,” Aurora interjects, making both of us laugh.
“Especially with you,” her mother retorts. “Right now, you think it’s funny, but wait until you’re older. You’re going to hate him.”
Aurora gapes at her mother in horror. “I couldneverhate Grayson.” Turning to me, she explains, “He’s my brother-daddy.”
“Dear Lord,” Riley groans, eyes rolling toward the ceiling. “Please stop oversharing our family dynamics with people in bathrooms. They are going to think we’re crazy.” Speaking to me, she adds, “It’s not as weird as it sounds.” She then pauses, seeming to think. “Actually, it is. When you lay out the facts like my daughter so bluntly does, it is as weird as it sounds, but I promise it somehow all makes sense.”
I hold my hands up. “No judgment here. I’m hardly in a position to comment on anyone else’s situation when I’m currently here with four guys and have K-I-S-S-E-Dallof them.”
Riley just laughs, not the least bit appalled by my actions. “Oh, I do not miss those days.” She shakes her head, still smiling. “I’m so glad we finally made it through. Only advice I can give is to not shut yourself off because you think you shouldn’t want it. If these guys are worth it, then do what makes you happy. Life is too short to play by societal rules.”
Aurora tugs on Riley’s sleeve. “What does K-I—that word mean, Mommy?”
“That’s a grown-up word that little girls don’t need to worry about. What youdoneed to worry about is Grayson storming in here if we don’t go find him.”
“Oh no.” Aurora begins pulling on Riley’s sleeve, trying to drag her toward the bathroom door. “He and Mommy get all kissy-faced whenever he does that,” she says, nose scrunched indisgust as she does her best to encourage her mom out the door. “It’sgross.”
I laugh, and Riley calls a quick goodbye before her daughter pulls her out of the bathroom.
Left alone, Riley’s words turn over in my mind as I use the toilet and wash my hands. I’ve spent so much time being sad, but Riley is right. Lifeistoo short. My dad is proof of that. His death is proof that life as a pro-hockey player can be taken from you at a moment’s notice. I don’t want to spend what time I have left on this earth grieving. Dad wouldn’t want that for me. He’d want me to be happy. Just like he wouldn’t have wanted me to give up hockey. I was able to find my way back to the sport we both loved. Now I need to find my way back to the life I loved too.
I emerge from the bathroom with a smile on my face and a pep in my step that I didn’t have before. Griffin immediately notices—because, of course he does—and arches a brow as I approach where he’s standing with the others. I merely shrug my shoulders and look between them. “What’s the plan now?”
“We could grab some food?” Ethan suggests.
“I could eat,” Jax says, while Finn and Griffin nod.
“There’s a bar not far from here,” I suggest. “Does the best hot wings and cheesy fries.”
“Sold!” Jax claps his hands together before gesturing toward the arena doors. “Lead the way.”
We dissect the game while we make the short walk to the bar. Ethan and Finn are arguing over a particular pass one of the players made. I wish I’d been able to pay better attention, but I enjoy listening to them talk around me. Hockey is the one thingthat unites all of them. If it weren’t for the game, I don’t think any of them would be friends. That’s…a sad thought.
“You having a good night?” Jax asks, moving to walk beside me. He stands so close that the backs of our hands brush before he links a finger around mine in a loose hold.
It’s stupid how such a small gesture has me fighting back a smile. I’m supposedly on a date with Griffin, yet here Jax is, reminding me he doesn’t give a shit about the rules. I kinda like it, how he doesn’t just step aside.
“You seemed a little off back there.”
I offer him a reassuring smile. “I’m good. This has been fun. We should do it again.”
