Page 53 of Hot Puck
I shake my head. “I don’t get it.”
“You’re our GM.”
“Ah, okay…” I’m still not sure I understand the reason for the nickname, but Chase’s sheepish expression has me smiling.
With a shrug he adds, “Not exactly original but I doubt you want me calling you Natalie in front of other players or staff. If I call you Gem, it’s a play on GM but it’s got that personal connection we have weaved in. Then I won’t slip up in front of anyone I shouldn’t.”
“Oh.”
There’s so much thought behind the nickname. Other than Nat, which isn’t really a nickname, I’ve never had one. And I’m not going to lie, I like the idea of having that intimate connection between us hidden in plain sight.
With a smile I can’t hold back, I say, “I can live with that.”
“I promise not to make it weird at work.”
“I know you won’t. Besides, we won’t have that much to do with each other in the day to day. I’m not planning on telling the coaches or players how to do their jobs, and I’ll be in my office most of the time, nowhere near the ice, except game days, you’ll see more of me before and after a game.”
“Can we pack now?” Cassidy’s words have both me and Chase jumping.
“Sorry. What?” I look down at her excited face.
“Pack. Can we start packing up our room?”
My gaze bounces between the girls. “You want to pack your room now? We haven’t talked about moving yet.”
“Why do we need to talk about it? We’re moving, right?” Crystal looks at her brother. “Aren’t you going to play for the Rogues?”
“Yes. But I haven’t signed the contract. I’m still talking with my agent about it.”
“But we’re going, to Baton Rouge,” Crystal’s voice is full of excitement but there’s a small amount of fear wobbling the edges. “To live with Gem.”
I never understood the term ‘my heart fluttered’ until right now. Hearing Crystal call me Gem. After Chase explained how he came up with it…
I’m in jeopardy of getting choked up and I have to swallow a couple of times before I can speak. And when I do it’s to reassure them all, although I direct my words at Crystal.
“Are you sure you’re okay with moving?” I’m not backing out of my offer, and honestly, if they’re unsure I plan to point out all the reasons why they should, but I want the girls to understand what a move like this means. “You’ll have to go to a new school. Live in a place you’re unfamiliar with. You’ll have no friends to begin with.”
“That’s why we need to go now,” Cassidy explains. “So, we have time before school starts and Chase’s schedule becomes nothing but hockey, hockey, and more hockey.”
Her words are accompanied by a cheeky grin, and I know Chase isn’t offended by her comments.
“All right.” I look around the room. “I guess we need to decide what’s a priority and what can wait. We need to know what you want to take and what you don’t, but we don’t need to rush.”
“Can we take some of our pictures?” Crystal asks, her gaze on the wall of family photos.
“We can take whatever you want. Pictures, furniture, clothes, anything. I can have my house cleared out before we get home so you can make it yours.”
“But it’ll be yours too, right?” Crystal’s gaze is on mine now, her confusion obvious.
“Yes. My house has what’s called an in-law suite on the lower level. I’ll live there and you will have the main part of the house.”
“But that’s just where your bedroom will be, you’ll eat with us and stuff, right?”
I’m not sure what stuff she’s referring to but I’m nodding anyway. And making a mental note to talk to Chase about the best way to protect the girls. We should probably get the advice of a lawyer too.
“Yes. We’ll eat together andstuff,” I say with a grin. “Like when your brother is away playing hockey, you’ll stay with me unless I have to accompany the team. But we’ll work out where you will be before that happens so you’re okay with it.”
“Can we go with Chase?” Crystal asks, reminding me of her recent losses and how they might affect the way she feels when the people around her go somewhere.
