Page 92 of Top Shelf
I get it. He wants to get home to his baby and his girl. I want to get home to his sister.
“We got this,” I tell him, trying to calm him down a bit. “They might have more practice with OT this season than us, but we can outskate any of their guys.”
He nods, still scowling out at the ice. “Yeah, yeah. I’m just…”
I pat his back. “I know, man.”
The puck is dropped at center ice, and unsurprisingly, Lawson wins it back. He scrambles off the ice for a breather, and Peterson, another young guy, takes his spot. He passes the puck to Frederic, who passes it over to Hayes. They’re getting set up, drawing the Jersey players to them and distracting them. It works. Lightning quick, Hayes zooms the puck back to Peterson, who takes off quickly toward the goalie, going one-on-one.
Like he took a play right out of my book, he goes top shelf, and the bench explodes when it hits the net.
“Yes, yes, yes! Fucking yes!” Hutch hollers, jumping with joy.
We all meet Dash, our second goalie, at the end of the bench, tapping his helmet as we head down the tunnel to the visitors’ locker room. We dress in record time and hit the bus, all of us eager as hell to hop on the plane and get back to Seattle.
My phone buzzes as I settle into my seat. I pull it free and smile.
“What a game!” my dad says as a greeting. “What a damn game, son!”
I laugh. “Thanks, Pop. Though I do have to wonder what you’re doing up still. It’s way past your bedtime, old man.”
“Hey, watch it. You ain’t no spring chicken yourself, you know.”
Fuck, don’t I know it. Part of the reason the game was tied was because I let Jersey’s leading goal-scorer slip past me like I was standing still. It was embarrassing as hell, and I’m not surprised I sat on the bench the rest of the game.
“Bet you’re glad to be heading back home after this trip.”
“More than you know.”
“How’s everything going with Nessa?”
My parents are fully aware of just how much I’ve fucked this situation up even more because I couldn’t keep my hands off her. While my mother is worried about me and my father thinks I should focus on hockey, neither of them has lectured me about it.
Truthfully, I think they’re a little glad about it. I’m the only one of my siblings who hasn’t settled down. While it’s not an ideal time, I think they’re just glad I’m not alone, and I am too.
I knew I was lonely—it’s why I slept with Nessa that night in New York—but I didn’t realize just how lonely I was until I had her in my life every day. Now, I can’t imaginenothaving someone. I can’t imagine not havingher.
“Good,” I answer, looking around the bus for where Hutch is sitting. It’s not like I’m going to say anything incriminating with so many ears around, but it’s almost a reflex at this point. “Everything is good. I, uh, I’m looking forward to going home.”
I can almost hear my dad smile. “I’m glad, son. You’re… You’re doing good this season.”
So don’t let anything screw that up, is what he tacks on to the end without actually saying it.
“I know,” I say. “I’m aware.”
I’m being careful with her, Pop, is what I really say back.
“All right. Well, I’ll let you get. I just wanted to tell you I’m proud. Your mother is with your eldest nephew in the kitchen, feeding him way too much ice cream this late at night, so I’d better go check on them.”
“Mom’s such a troublemaker.”
He laughs heartily. “She is, but that’s why I love her. Love you, son.”
“Love you too, Pop.”
We hang up, and I sigh, dropping my head back against the seat and thinking about Nessa and how serious this thing is starting to get with my parents asking after her every time we talk.
Because itisgetting serious. It’s not what either of us intended, I’m sure, but it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. We should probably address that, but I feel like we might be too deeply invested in this to change it now. Hell, I’mstillpushing off her bed delivery just to keep her in mine longer. The company gave me a warning the last time that if I postpone delivery again, they’ll cancel the order with no refund.
