Page 105 of O Goalie Night
“Good,” he murmurs against my lips.
EPILOGUE
Ben
“What are we doing to celebrate our last night of freedom?”
Beth and Foster exchange a look as they walk hand in hand a few feet ahead of me. We just grabbed lunch at a new deli downtown and are making our way back to Foster’s car. I adjust the brim of my ball cap to shield my eyes from the midday sun. Even though we’re into September, it’s thirty-five degrees today.
My sister glances back at me with a hesitant but kind smile. “I think we’re overdue to have a quiet night in, if that’s okay?”
It’s not like I was suggesting we go clubbing. I don’t do that anymore.
“Works for me. You guys want to watch a movie? I hear the new Secret Service one is good. You know, Bug; the one with your other boyfriend in it.”
Beth rolls her eyes. “For the last time, Ben, I don’t have a crush on Glen Powell.”
“Sure you don’t, Kiddo.” She actually doesn’t, but every time I insinuate she does, the veins in Foster’s neck bulge like he’s about to go from Bruce Banner to the Hulk. It’s hilarious.
“Don’t you have anything else to do tonight?” Foster frowns at me. His sunglasses hide his eyes, but I’m certain he’s glaring at me behind them. “Laundry? Food prep? Making new friends?”
Beth elbows him in the ribs, but Foster merely throws an arm around her shoulders and pulls her closer.
“Mom did all my laundry yesterday.”
“Of course she did,” my sister snorts.
We got back to the city last night after a visit to Prince Edward Island. It was one of the best trips home that I can remember.
The weather was incredible. We rented a five-bedroom luxury cottage on the north shore of the Island while we were there, and for twenty-one days, it was nothing but beach, lobster boils, and family time. Having Foster there made it even better. It was nice to have someone to train with while home since Mom and Grandma seemed hell-bent on outdoing one another in the kitchen.
My best friend fits into my family like a missing puzzle piece. Dad loves having someone else to talk hockey with and Mom is thrilled to have someone new to mother. Even Tara, Destroyer of Worlds and Queen of Darkness, seems to like him.
Most importantly, he makes Beth incredibly happy. In the ten months since she moved here, I’ve seen her really come into her own. She’s more confident, more sure ofherself. When a permanent grade five teaching position opened up at Stittsville Elementary, she didn’t hesitate to apply—and she got it. She loves it there, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.
It’s been an adjustment for me—not just sharing my best friend with my sister, but getting used to how much Fozzie smiles now that he’s with Beth. It’s like seeing Scrooge after his night with the haunted trio; you’re happy for him, it just takes some getting used to.
Sometimes he’s borderline cheerful. It’s…unnerving.
“What Foster is trying to say is that we’re just going to stay in and get ready for the busy week ahead of us,” Beth explains as we come to a stop at an intersection and wait to cross.
In other words, I’m not invited.
“Of course, that makes sense,” I say with a shrug. “I’ve got stuff to do, too.”
I don’t.
But Beth’s not the only one making big changes. I’ve been working hard at following my baby sister’s advice to stop thinking with my dick. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve been letting that particular appendage call the shots for the last ten years.
Since Christmas, I’ve curtailed my night life, focusing on hockey, family, and friends–and it’s been good. Weekly hangouts with Beth have helped us get to know one another better and now we’re closer than ever. There have also been more poker nights with Foster, Will, and Austin. Foster’s brother Cody joins when he can and has been a great addition to our motley crew.
My stats improved in the last few months of the season. We didn’t make it to the finals, but we came close,ending up losing in the Eastern Conference Championship to the eventual cup winners. Still, by buckling down, I made my career my top priority. The late nights were taking a toll on my playing, but my summer training was intense and now my routine is tighter than ever. Training camp starts tomorrow and I’ve never felt so ready to get back on the ice.
Even with these positive changes, I still feel like something is missing in my life. While I’ve loved spending more time with Beth and Foster, it’s hard not to feel like a third wheel, and I’ve been thinking of taking on a project to fill my spare time. Something that’s just for me.
“I think I’d like to volunteer with Big Buddies this year.” It’s the first time I’ve voiced the idea out loud, but I've been considering it for months. Big Buddies is a local organisation that matches mentors with kids who need positive role models.
“Ben, that’s a wonderful idea!’ Beth beams at me. “I know students enrolled in the program and have only heard good things. Besides, you’re so great with kids.”
