Page 94 of Hot Shot
When Drew lets out another squawk of protest, I give in and lower myself to a seat. A couple of quick snaps and both of us are free of the carrier he hates unless it’s attached to his dad and he’s sitting on the floor at my feet happily babbling away.
I have no idea what he’s saying but I’d bet money on it being about his dad. He’s probably telling me to go get him.
Normally I would, except right now, Dad is on the ice in the first pre-season game of the Rogues inaugural year playing in the NHL.
We’re in the owners box. Oakley and Nat are talking in hushed tones off to the side. My parents, Mason, Sutton, and Cash are all hovering near the glass, watching the game.
I’d decided to come up here with Drew instead of being down with my team and I’m just as agitated as my son.
“Go down there. Leave him with us. Micky will keep him occupied and your mom and dad are here.”
I look up at a frowning Oakley. “No. I’m good.”
“You are not.” Nat grips my elbow and tugs me from my seat.
“Hey!”
“Don’t hey me. Get your ass down there and do your job!”
“But—” I break off when I see my son has crawled over to his namesake and is now perched in Dad’s lap happily clapping his hands and babbling. “Shit. You’re right. He’s probably been fussy because I’m feeling out of sorts.”
“Then get out of here so you can both feel better.” Oakley gives me a little push. “Tell Walker I’ll meet him before the press conference.”
“Okay. See you downstairs later.” I head over to Mom and Dad so I can kiss my boy and tell them where I’m going so I get to see my hot shot in action.
Everyone is on their feet when Beckett Higgison gets a clear shot to Bran who’s got himself an even clearer path to the back of the net.
The arena comes alive with a roar. Every fan on their feet as the first goal of the game comes off a Rogues stick.
“Holy shit. That boy is on fire.” Dad looks back at me. “I never said it before, but I was worried. I wasn’t sure he still had it in him, not after…”
“I know. I get it. The media have been all over it since he signed with us.”
“You heading down there?” Mason asks.
“Yeah.”
“Can I bring Cash down later?”
“Of course.” I glance at my nephew. He’s doing okay but I’ve got something I want to run by my brother after the game and if he brings Cash down I can entice both of them to accept my proposal. “I’ll get Oakley to give everyone passes.”
“We have them. Just didn’t want to presume.”
“Presume away. If you’ve got a pass, use it.”
“Thanks.”
“See you later.”
I duck out of the suite, hit the stairwell instead of the elevator because I need to work off some of this nervous energy.
It takes me no more than five minutes to get to the coaching staff’s offices, then a short stroll to the change room and tunnel. It isn’t until I’m almost out in the arena that I remember I removed my jacket up in the suite.
“Shit.”
Spinning around I find Trevor, Oakley’s former assistant turned Rogues fixer. “You might need this.”
“Oh my god! You’re a magician.” Snatching the jacket from his hand, I slide my arms into the sleeves. “How did you know?—”
