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SIX

CHARLIE

I make the drive back home almost on autopilot. It’s a good thing I’ve got the GPS telling me what to do because otherwise I would’ve gotten lost about five different times. The end of the workday rush is welcome for once.

I need the time to get my thoughts in order, and though traffic in Vegas has nothing on traffic in Atlanta, it’s still an hour in a silent car where I can actually hear my own thoughts and process .

Gab sent me off with strict instructions to go home and rest because I’m definitely playing tomorrow according to her.

I guess she must’ve talked to Laney or something because she was pretty adamant about it. And to be fair, after that first drill where Brotnik showed us up, we got our shit together. I even think I did pretty good in the rest of the drills, even more so because I wasn’t put in front of Brotnik one single time—I’m not calling him Santa, that’s a stupid nickname, I’ve always thought so.

So maybe our head coach along with the assistant coach were happy with me. Maybe they’ll put me on the first line next to Mater—officially have me taking over for Fire.

I think that would be best, honestly, and not because I’ve been on the first line my whole career, but because Mater actually talked to me and I feel like he’s the least likely to make a fuss over having to play alongside me. He’s also a really good fucking player, not to mention I’d be in the same line as Jules fucking Dupont.

I had a moment or two during practice when I turned and saw him right there, just playing hockey or just panting out breaths. It was surreal. He looked so human and normal. And that’s when I had the reaction to him I should’ve had at Gab’s house. I was in awe of him. His talent, his clear joy for the game, yes of course, but the focus and dedication. The way he talked to the guys around him. The way he was clearly the person giving the most of himself on the ice.

It was fucking inspiring, and I know that if I get a chance to be on the ice with him, wearing the same sweater as him, I’m going to give my all too.

I mean, all the other players were also working their asses off, me included, but I’m used to being the best at practices, the only one who really lives and dies for every push off my skates. It was pretty cool, knowing I’m not the only one giving it my all anymore.

I don’t expect anyone else in the team to be overly friendly to me, and I don’t blame them. Hell, they all probably know Brotnik way better than I do, so I bet no one wants to piss him off by talking to me. That’s a bummer, because it means my relationship with my teammates will be exactly the same as it was in Atlanta—detached, lukewarm, and an overall letdown.

I can live with that, especially if I get a Stanley Cup at the end of the season, and since that’s inexplicably still on the table even after the shitty day I had, I’m going to decide to focus on that.

And I won’t be focusing on Brotnik. At least not for now. I have a job to do with him, I know I do. I’m actually already thinking about different ways I can push the subject with him. But first I need to find a way to get him to talk to me. Step one would be to find out why he hates me. Step two hash it out, then ask for forgiveness for whatever I did, and then hopefully we can become such close friends that he’ll listen to me when I tell him retiring isn’t the end of the world.

Yeah, right , I mentally scoff at myself. After today I don’t think there’s a chance in hell of that happening.

Figuring out how to make someone like me isn’t something I’ve been interested in since fifth grade. I know I’m going to have to put in the work there at some point, but for today I’m going to do what Gab told me to and rest and get ready for tomorrow.

A thrill of excitement fills me at the thought of playing in front of a full arena again, and I smile as I finally get to the highway and can accelerate. I can’t wait to make it home now.

I park the car in the open garage on the side of the house and walk into the kitchen to a heavenly new smell.

“Hey, Ma,” I call out while I dump my duffel in the doorway to the laundry room.

“Charlie, come meet Michelle and Kelly.” Mom sounds excited and happy enough, and when I turn I see two women, one shortish with black hair, and the other very tall with brown hair. Like, almost six feet tall.

“Hi,” I say, not knowing how else to approach the situation. They look to be in their mid-thirties if I had to guess, but I have no idea what they’re doing here, or who they are so... yeah, this is awkward, and I hate feeling awkward. I look at my mom, trying to tell her with a look that I need help, otherwise I’m about to lose my mind, and she smiles tenderly at me.

“They’re your next-door neighbors, son. They brought you over a pie to welcome you.”

That’s when I see it—a perfect-looking pie on the kitchen counter. The sweet smell of apple and cinnamon goes straight to my head like the best drug in the world.

“Sweet mother of?—”

“Charles Heart, watch your mouth,” Mom interrupts me with her no-nonsense tone .

“Mom,” I tell her, motioning to the pie without looking away from it. And it does not sound like a whine. “It smells like all my dreams came true,” I defend myself.

“I know, honey. But I raised you better than this.” She sounds exasperated and I don’t know why. She should know better than to expect me to focus on anything but the food of the gods when I have a pie in front of me. Oh, right .

My eyes snap up to the two strangers and I offer them the best smile I have.

“Hello.” I walk over and offer them my hand to shake. If that brings me closer to the pie, then that’s pure coincidence . I swear.

I see my mother giving me the stink-eye from my periphery and stand straight.

“Thank you so much for bringing this over. You really didn’t have to, but I want you to know I will show this pie all the love it deserves.”

“I hope it won’t be as creepy as it sounds,” one of them says with a very happy smile. I like her.

“It’s not,” Mom assures her. “Charlie,” she says then, and gives me another pointed look.

“Oh, right. I’m Charlie Heart.” Now I think that’s everything my mother taught me I have to say when I meet someone new.

“I’m Kelly,” the shorter and nice one with the black hair says.

“And I’m Michelle. We’re just next door.” The taller one points to her back to indicate which house she means. “ And yeah, we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.” She shrugs and offers me a more subdued smile, but still very genuine. Then she throws an arm over Kelly and looks down at her with so much love I can instantly see it, practically feel it for myself.

“We’re huge hockey fans, and we didn’t know you were our neighbor when we brought the pie, we swear. But we just wanna say from all the Pirates fans, we’re so happy you’re here.” There’s a cheer in Kelly’s voice that makes me smile at her.

“Thank you,” I tell her. I don’t think she could possibly know how much her words mean to me. It’s just the reminder I need of how happy we make our fans, and how big an impact we can have in their lives. “I can get you tickets for tomorrow night if you want,” I offer immediately.

“We can’t tomorrow,” Kelly says with an adorable pout. “We have to work.”

“But we’ll gladly take that offer for any other home game,” Michelle is quick to pipe in.

“What do you do for work?” I ask them.

“We’re the choreographers for a show at the Certon Resort.”

“That’s so cool,” I tell them, impressed. “Which one? Let me write it down so I don’t forget to check it out.” I reach for my phone and write down all the details they give me. “Next time I have an off day during the weekend, I’ll be there. ”

“Actually, it’s a good thing they can’t,” Mom says, and we all turn to her.

“Why?”

“Because you have no more tickets left to give for tomorrow’s opener.” Her tiny mischievous smile makes my mouth drop open.

“They’re . . .” I can’t even finish the question.

“Yes, honey. Most of the family is coming to watch you play your first game with the Pirates.”

Tears well in my eyes instantly, and I feel my cheeks tremble as my throat closes with emotion.

Maybe it will all be all right. With the whole Heart clan with me, how could it not?