Page 37 of Snowed in with My Pucking Ex
Sean
It’s been nearly a week since the last time I saw Winter, but I can’t help it. After the meeting with my new GM and the Blizzard’s team owner, I had to fly straight to New York with Spencer to meet with the Pines and let them know which deal I wanted them to accept on my behalf. I also owed it to my teammates to go out and have a proper goodbye with them since the change came on so suddenly. Some of those guys I’ve known since I was as young as fifteen, and I’ll miss seeing them daily during the season. Our night out was filled with darts, pool, and a lot of ribbing each other and laughs.
I’ll especially miss my closest friend, Jake. In my meeting with the Blizzards, I’d mentioned in passing about them trading for him, too. I tried to sell it as us being a powerful duo for the Blizzards’ season if they were to send in an offer for him, too. I was hoping I could feel them out a bit and see if they had any interest in him…However, they wouldn’t offer up any details to me, just that they’d keep him in mind.
Of course, the moment I saw Jake, I basically bombarded him with trade questions. I’d asked about the possibility of him moving teams with me, because not only would I feel more comfortable having him walk onto a new team with me at the same time, but we’d also get to be close to each other on our off time. I’ve gotten used to having him around and would like to keep my closest buddy around if possible. He let it slip that the Blizzards are in talks with his agent, but he doesn’t have any offer details yet. I’m hoping the deal pulls through and he ends up on the same team.
I won’t deny it, leaving the Pines is one of the hardest things I’ve had to face as an adult. I’ve been a part of their organization since I was a kid, it seems. When they signed me, they made me one of the faces of their franchise, and I’ll never forget the unwavering support they’ve shown this entire time. I alwaysthought I’d end up retiring a Pine, and the realization that my life is taking a different toll is both exciting and frightening. We’ve merely scratched the surface on our season so far this year, and now it feels like the work I put in for them already has been a waste of my time. They should’ve let us go before the games started, so we could’ve started with our teams from the beginning. I’m going to go out on a limb here and speculate they were trying to rake in as much cash as possible by having us on their roster, and it still wasn’t enough to climb out of the hole they’ve dug themselves into.
Now, I have to get accustomed to a new team and their dynamics basically as fast as I possibly can, so we don’t mess up our games and end up with a losing streak. I know a few of the guys on the Blizzards, which is pretty common when you’ve been playing in the league for as long as I have. You get used to meeting people traveling back and forth, plus all the different types of games they can call you up to play. Charities, the Juniors, college, you name it, and we’re expected to play with whoever they throw us together with. George, the Blizzard’s owner, seems a bit overly excited that I’ve agreed to their terms, including the extension and the after-pro retirement options they’ve offered. He mentioned following my career since I was in the junior league, which I took as a huge compliment. It’s always a good feeling when you know someone is a fan, especially a team owner, and not only because I’ve held some records throughout my career.
Grabbing my belongings from my old training facility was bittersweet; knowing it’ll never be my locker space again hit a little harder than I was anticipating. Packing my other stuff up to move didn’t take much time or effort. I’d leased a fully furnished apartment in New York, so my stuff there mostly consisted of clothes. I mailed a few boxes to Mom’s house until I figure out my new living arrangements. That’s another wrench to tossin and shake things up, me jumping into house hunting mid-season.
I probably can’t live in Noel Falls because of the unpredictable snowfall on the mountains surrounding the village, but I could be close. Very close. And, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize it’s what I’ve been wanting in my life. Being nearby, just in case Mom needs me.
Now, I have Winter to think of too... Well, hopefully anyway. I’m over here crossing my fingers, toes, and everything else I possibly can that she’ll want a future with me because I don’t want to live the rest of my life without her in it. My working in Noelville gives me a sense of newfound courage where she’s concerned, and I’m confident in asking her to stay this time…
For me.
Us.
Gah, she’s the only woman I can picture my future with. If she’s not ready, it’ll crush me.
It's been a whirlwind of a few days attempting to handle everything as quickly as I can, and get back so I can play in the next game. The Blizzards didn’t take over my contract to give me time off and to watch me sit on the bench. They’ll want to get their money’s worth out of me playing, I’m sure. I stayed at a hotel last night next to the airport, knowing I had to be here early for our morning skate.
I finally sent Winter a text letting her know I’ll be back in town soon, but it wasn’t enough. At least not on my end, I want to hear her voice because I’ve missed her. Even if it hasn’t been a full week, at this point, any amount of time away from her is too long in my book.
“Spruce!” One of the janitors greets me as I enter through the players’ entrance at the back of the arena.
The Blizzards don’t have a separate facility like the Pines do, but maybe that’s also why this team could afford to step in soquickly and take over my contract, whereas the other one is nearly bankrupt. My head is still spinning over the news. How could they blindside everyone like this? They have so many people, and not only the players who are depending on them. I feel bad for anyone they lay off, and I’m no longer there to try and do anything about it either.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I ask the older gentleman.
He looks like he could be someone’s grandpa, reminding me of Santa Claus. He’s whistling a Christmas carol as he works, so he must enjoy his job here. I slow my pace enough not to come off as rude, even though I need to get to the locker room and gear up. I don’t want to be the last guy in the room on my first day to work; it wouldn’t set a shining example.
“Better now that we have you in a Blizzard’s jersey!” He smiles, and I return his enthusiasm with a grin of my own.
“Thanks, that means a lot. I’m excited to be a part of the team.” I bump his knuckles with mine as I pass him. “Have a good day, man.”
“You too, and welcome to the home team. You’ll find a lot of people are very happy you’re here.” He mentions and turns away. He dusts off a few of the team’s ornaments and then replaces them on a Christmas tree that’s been set up next to a water fountain. I don’t miss two that have my name on them. How they’ve gotten ornaments for me here already is beyond me, but it’s seeming more and more as each minute passes that I’m meant to be here.
I’ve practiced in these facilities many times when I’ve been home visiting, with special permission, of course. I came in even if it was just to get some skate time in, so I’d always be ready for the next game. However, I’ve always entered through the front entrance in the past with the assistance of an employee, and while everyone has been polite, it was never as friendly as the janitor was moments ago. I’m taking it as a good sign of what’sto come, being accepted here even though I’ve been an opponent in the past.
I pull the bright red door open that leads to the team’s locker room and make my way down the short hallway. As I round the corner, I’m greeted with cheers. The grin I was just sporting out in the hallway morphs into a wide smile. Everyone’s on their feet, clapping and shouting my name, welcoming me. As a couple of the guys shift to the side, I find the familiar face of the player I was going to miss the most from the Pines.
“Jake?” My eyes are wide, my mouth dropping open in surprise.
“I’m here!” He grins, and then we’re bro-hugging our excitement out. “They signed me, Spruce. I caught the red eye to make it in before you arrived. No way was I missing your face when you walked in that door for the first time. You’re never gonna live down the excitement I just witnessed,” he threatens with a laugh. “We’re Blizzards, baby!” He yells.
I’m laughing as I release him; my energy is already bursting through me, making me ready to get out on the ice and skate to burn some of it up. Turning to the others, I immediately start shaking everyone’s hands. It’s important that they know I’m committed to all of them as well, and having Jake around is one hell of a bonus for me. Not to mention he’s a very talented player, who whom I work well with, so they’re getting something out of our friendship as well.
“Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the welcome. It’s great to see you guys, and also to meet some of you for the first time. Especially while we’re not playing against each other.” They chuckle, and a few I already know step forward to offer me a bro hug, welcoming me to the team.
“You couldn’t have come at a better time,” McGregor says and steps forward, clapping me on my back. “You know our captain was injured badly at the start of the season, and we’ve receivedan update from the team doctor and owner. They made it official that he’s not going to be able to return. You have no idea how happy we are to see this trade happen, Spruce. We need you to step in and fill that role we’re missing.”
“Oh no, that sucks. I’m sorry to hear that.” His words don’t hit me at first; I’m momentarily distracted by worrying we’re down a strong player for the rest of the season.
He nods. “It’s career-ending ending and while we all love the guy and will miss him, when we found out about the trade, we took it as a sign. We need a captain to fill his spot, and now you’re here.”
