Page 60 of Hot Puck
“He’s good with them too.” Oakley’s gaze meets mine. “How’s it going at home?”
My gaze darts to Blake but she’s too busy bouncing around with Drew strapped to her chest to take notice of our conversation. Oakley is the only one who knows Chase and the girls are living in my house.
“Good. Surprisingly good.” I don’t like the speculative glint in her eyes so I change the subject. “Did you talk to Laken about the possible trade?”
Oakley sighs. “Yeah. Neither of us wants to make it but we’re both aware of how an unhappy player can affect the whole team so she’s open to considering it.”
“Should we see if Lindberg will give it a few months? Maybe wait until mid-season, or later in the season.” I hold up a hand. “And yes, I’m aware neither option is ideal but if Lindberg is that unhappy here, we owe it to him to see if we can make things better without making him move again.”
“I’m not sure how open Byrd will be to a trade either.”
“Laken hasn’t asked him?”
“No.”
“Huh.”
Our conversation is cut off by the rise in volume of the crowd filling every seat in the arena. And when I look out at the rink I see why.
Players are skating around. None of the Rogues yet, just the Vancouver players. But everyone knows our guys are moments away from taking the ice.
“Here they come,” Blake yells right as the door to the suite flies opens and people pour in.
Oakley’s grandfather leads the way. The grin on his face is so wide you’d think this was his team. Then again, Pa has been instrumental in helping us see this dream come true.
Behind him are Blake’s parents, her brother Mason and his boy, Cash, with them. I’m surprised to see Mason here. With everything that’s going on with his son’s mother I didn’t think he’d make it even after my personal invitation.
He tips his head at me before ushering Cash to the seats in front of the windows. I don’t miss the frown on Blake’s face. Or the calculating look that quickly follows.
I’ll wait to see if she comes up with anything, but at our next meeting I plan to broach the subject of bringing Mason on board as player liaison—possibly Assistant GM. I think a move will do him and Cash good. It has certainly benefited the Hawkins siblings.
Glancing over at the girls, I see the twins are giving Candace her bottle. I love seeing them all take care of each other. Except I’m supposed to be watching the three of them while Chase plays.
“I’ll be back. Need to check on the girls.”
I don’t wait for either of my best friends to answer, just head across the room to the girls and Micky. It’s a small area I plan to expand now that the number of little ones who might be at home games this season has grown.
“Hey, how’s she doing? Want me to change her?”
“Yes. But I think we need to wait…” Crystal eyes her baby sister laying between her twin’s legs. “Almost done…”
When I look at Candace, I see what Crystal is talking about. The girl is loading her diaper. “I swear, we put it in, and she pushes it out.”
“Right?” Cassidy’s voice is nasally due to the fingers pinching her nose.
I laugh. “I’ll grab her bag and come back for her.”
“Take your time. She’s got some milk left in her bottle so when she’s done with the scrunchie-face thing I’ll see if she wants it.” Crystal holds up the one third full bottle.
“Okay.” On my way to the bag, I detour over to where Mason sits with Cash. “You guys doing, okay? Need anything?”
“We’re good for now,” Mason says, holding up a bottle of water.
“Help yourselves to the food and drinks behind the bar.”
“I’m surprised you don’t have a server in here.”
“They’re in the other boxes. This might have owner’s box on the door but it’s more of a family room.”
