Page 6 of Pinch
“Hockey player.” Her mother nods slowly. “I wouldn’t have guessed with the…”
She gestures to her mouth, and I rise to my full six-foot-two height. “I promised my mom I’d protect my teeth.”
“Good luck with that.” She laughs.
“Have a safe flight.”
With a wave, they step onto the elevator. The little girl waves as hard as she can, which makes me chuckle. I’m onlythirty, starting a new life in a new town, but I look forward to having one of those one day.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see my buddy Maverick Murphy’s name on the screen.
Maverick
What’s your ETA, bro? Need help moving in?
Walking to the gate, I use text-to-speech to reply.
Gavin
Boots on the ground at five, but I have a problem. Chip left me homeless.
It doesn’t take long for my best teammate to reply.
Maverick
WTF? What happened?
Gavin
Wifey decided she didn’t want to leave.
Maverick
Can she do that?
Gavin
Isn’t there some saying about it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind?
Maverick
Do you have a backup plan? Need a place to stay?
Gavin
Got a hotel room for tonight, and I guess the duration.
Maverick
Fuck that, you’ll stay with me. I’ve got plenty of room.
My brow pinches, and I think about it. Maverick and I played together in Atlanta for three years before he signed with LA. It’s because of him I got the great offer to come here as a last-minute trade when the Champions lost their right defenseman to Toronto.
We’re “Gav and Mav,” the unstoppable duo, and the fans go crazy when we’re on the ice together. He’s a star right winger, and although I’m a defenseman, we’ve played together so long, we can read each other’s minds. Together we get the entire stadium on their feet.
I might not be the biggest D-man in the league, but I’m the strongest skater. I’m not afraid to take it to the boards, and I’m good in a pinch.
Gavin
