Page 21

CHAPTER 21

FHL

Parker: HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE NEW AND IMPROVED GROUP CHAT!!!

Amelia: Hi, y’all.

Bailey: Hey!!!!

Evie: Hi! And Juno says hi.

Gracie: Give that baby a kiss from me, please.

Bailey: Me too!

Evie: Done.

Summer: Parker—you know this is the same group chat, right?

Parker: Okay, it’s not NEW.

Greyson: So what’s the improvement?

Amelia: IS there an improvement?

Parker: I renamed it! I finally came up with a name.

Amelia: FHL? I can think of a few not very Parker-like options for that.

Parker: MILLS, STOP RUINING MY THING.

Amelia: Sorry.

Naomi: Are you sure I should be in the group chat?

Greyson: Don’t be ridiculous.

Amelia: ABSOLUTELY.

Gracie: You are an FHL, whatever that is.

Summer: Parker, cut the suspense. We know you like a big, dramatic reveal, but just tell us.

Parker: Y’all are no fun. FHL stands for First Hockey Ladies.

Bailey: I like it.

Amelia: You like everything.

Bailey: Maybe. But I also DO like it.

Summer: I also like it but …

Amelia: Oh, no. Here comes a Summer but.

Summer: Wouldn’t First Ladies of Hockey sound better?

Parker: But the abbreviation wouldn’t be as good. FHL is like NHL and AHL. Get it?

Summer: Okay. I concede your point. FHL it is!

Gracie: Agreed.

Evie: SO much better than WAG.

Amelia: Here’s how I feel about WAG: [barf emoji]

Naomi: If I get a vote, I like it.

Bailey: Of course you get a vote!

Evie: You totally get a vote. And I’m not just saying that because you held Juno so I could eat the first night we met.

Naomi: I’ll hold her anytime!

Amelia: No more talk like you don’t belong, okay?

Parker: Speaking of belonging, I may need to borrow your dog.

Summer: Nice non sequitur.

Naomi: Sure. What do you need with my scary smiling dog?

Parker: The team needs a dog. Stupid Larry Jenson won’t approve an official one. He didn’t say anything about BORROWING a dog.

Amelia: Nice. My dad will love it.

Naomi: There might be an issue with that.

Parker: What kind of issue?

Bailey: I’m not sure if this is what Naomi means, but we don’t know how Panda is with crowds. Or ice.

Parker: Maybe you can bring him to the Summit on a practice day and see? Would that help, Naomi?

Naomi: Probably, but my issue is more about … Camden.

Naomi: I know I’m being paranoid, but he won’t answer my calls or texts.

Greyson: Back up—did you have a fight?

Summer: How long has it been? Could he be sick?

Parker: How can we help? (And I’m not just asking because of Panda.)

Amelia: Suuuure

Parker: I’M SERIOUS.

Gracie: If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to. But I’m here if you need anything.

Evie: Me too. Anytime!

Amelia: But we’re all nosy, so you should tell us and tell us now.

Naomi: So, the other night, he got really upset about something to do with his family, I think. He won’t talk about his childhood or his parents. I don’t need details, but does anyone know anything about his family?

Greyson: Nope.

Summer: I don’t.

Parker: Not a thing.

Naomi: I’ve known it’s a touchy subject. But he kind of … freaked out and shut down. Now he won’t talk.

Naomi: Oh, and there’s another thing.

Greyson: What’s the other thing?

Naomi: He told me he loved me and I didn’t say it back.

Parker: Awwww he said he loves you!

Summer: Don’t take this the wrong way, but why didn’t you say it back?

Naomi: I kind of ruined the moment, and then I wanted it to be like a really special moment.

Naomi: I don’t know if he’s upset about his family or me or a combination but he won’t talk to me, so I don’t know how to fix it.

Bailey: I’m sorry. And it’s extra hard with things like this when they’re on the road.

Parker: Do you want us to commiserate or do you want help?

Naomi: Both. But I think I’m at the point where I need help. It’s only been like two days and I’m DYING.

Summer: I’d say fly out to see him, but I’m sure you can’t with Liam.

Bailey: I’d happily help with Liam. I have school, but I’d have some time to stay with him.

Naomi: I can’t leave work or Liam. So, I’m stuck here.

Parker: I have an idea!

Amelia: Why am I not surprised?

Greyson: Parker ideas are the best ideas!

Summer: They’re the best ideas when they’re run by the legal team first.

Parker: Ha ha.

Naomi: What did you have in mind?

Amelia: I can’t wait to hear this.

Greyson: I volunteer to help with whatever you need!

Parker: Sadly, the FHL can’t help this time. But how would you feel about a little help from the guys?

Naomi: If it would get Camden to talk to me, I’ll do anything.