Page 62 of Hooking the Captain
I handed him a beer, and we clinked the bottles together. “To a hard-fought season,” I said, trying to inject a hint of optimism into the moment.
He managed a small smile. “To the season.”
We sat in silence for a while, nursing our beers. The television remained off; neither of us had the energy to watch any post-game analysis.
After a few sips, Baylor broke the silence. “I appreciate you saying it’s not my fault.”
I nodded, grateful for the unspoken bond we shared. “It wasn’t. I was the one who made the shitty pass to Nyström.”
“Yeah, but I’m the one who’s supposed to block every shot.”
“You know that’s impossible.”
“It’s not supposed to be, especially for game seven.”
I grabbed his free hand with mine and laced our fingers. “There’s always next season.”
He chuckled, the weight on his shoulders momentarily lifting. “Yeah, there’s always next season.”
I leaned back, studying the contours of his face in the dim light. “We’ll come back stronger. And who knows, maybe next season ends with us hoisting that trophy over our heads.”
Baylor’s eyes met mine, and a spark of determination flickered. “Yeah. We’ll make it happen.”
“But for now, do you want to get out of the city?”
“What do you mean?” he questioned.
I nodded. “We could take a trip before I need to head to my parents’ in Vermont and you go to visit your family in Michigan.”
“Where do you want to go?”
I lifted a shoulder and grinned. “Well, Disneyland is out since we lost the Cup.”
Baylor grunted a laugh. “How are you not pissed we lost?”
“I am pissed,” I informed him. “But there’s nothing we can do to change it. We got outplayed.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “So, you want to go on a trip and forget the season?”
“I want to go on a trip and be naked with you the entire time.” I smirked.
“That does sound better than wallowing in self-pity.”
“Absolutely.”
“But where?”
Baylor pondered for a moment, taking a sip of his beer. “Somewhere with sun, sand, and no reminders of hockey for a while.”
I grinned, liking the sound of that. “How about a beach getaway? Clear blue waters, warm sand, and just us.”
His eyes lit up. “Sounds perfect, but where?”
I thought for a moment. “How about the Bahamas? It’s got everything we need for a good time.”
He nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it. I could use some relaxation and a break from the ice.”
“All right then, the Bahamas it is. We’ll leave in a couple of days. A little escape from reality. Maybe massages on the beach.” I wiggled my eyebrows and grabbed my phone.
