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"Okay, speaking of the younger guys, let's talk legacy. Senior Night was about looking back but also looking forward. What do you each hope the underclassmen take away from your time here, from watching you guys play?"

A comfortable silence follows my question and I know it’s because everyone is trying to think of an answer.

It's Levi who breaks speaks up first. "Work ethic. That’s something I learned from my brother.

Oh, and that nothing is handed to you. You gotta earn your ice time, earn the respect of your teammates, earn those wins.

We've busted our asses for four years, and I hope they see that. That it's not just about talent."

Levi bringing up his deceased older brother is something I don’t expect. Knox has told me that Levi doesn’t talk about him much, so for him to bring him up is a big deal.

We just look at him, a little stunned, before Asher responds. "We’re going to earn the big one for him this year," he says quietly.

I don’t want to pry too much but I assume Levi’s been chasing a championship not just for himself but to honor his brother as well. I can only imagine the pressure he feels to live up to the talent of his older brother, the brother he lost too soon.

Asher clears his throat and speaks again. "And that it's okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from 'em. We've all had shit games, bad plays. But you can't let it define you. You get back up, you work harder."

Wilder nods. "Yeah, what Ash said. And also, that it's supposed to be fun, you know? We put in the work, yeah, but at the end of the day, we’re playing a game we love. Don’t lose that. Don't let the pressure suck the joy out of it. Even when you're sweating out your body weight."

I make another note: Wilder: fun, joy . It’s a good sentiment, surprisingly insightful coming from the team’s resident jokester.

Then it’s Knox’s turn. "Legacy, huh?" He glances at Levi, then Asher and finally Wilder.

"I guess…I hope they learn that loyalty matters.

To the team, to each other. We haven't always agreed and sometimes the arguments and fights have been brutal.

" He shoots a quick, unreadable look in my direction before his gaze sweeps back to his teammates.

"But we always had each other's backs. On and off the ice. That’s what makes a team, not just a bunch of guys wearing the same jersey. "

Loyalty.

Him mentioning that hits harder than I expect and maybe it’s something I can work the article around.

A theme if you will. “Good stuff, guys. Really.” I tap my pen against my notebook.

“So, final question for the group, then I’ll let you get back to your pizza and…

whatever game you’re pretending to watch. ”

A few chuckles. Wilder shoves the last of his crust into his mouth.

“Looking ahead, beyond graduation, beyond Crestwood,” I say. “What’s one thing you’ll take with you from being a Red Wolf, something that isn’t about wins or losses, but about the experience itself?”

The room goes quiet again. This time, it’s Asher who speaks first. “The discipline, I think. Juggling classes, practice, games…it forces you to manage your time, to be accountable. That’s not just a hockey skill, that’s a life skill.”

Levi nods. “For me, it’s the brotherhood. Cheesy, I know.” He grins. “But these guys…they’re family. That bond, you don’t just leave that behind when you graduate.”

My pen pauses. A second ago, I was planning how to work loyalty into this feature, but now I’m thinking about brotherhood and how that could work better. Family. Found family at that. I like it a lot.

"Okay," I say as I press the record button once more on my phone to stop it. I close my notebook and look up at the guys and Selene. "I think that's everything I need for the group stuff. Thanks, guys. You actually gave me some decent material."

"Decent?" Knox snorts and rolls his eyes. "We poured our hearts out, Wills. That was pure gold."

"I'll be the judge of that," I say, tucking my phone and notebook into my bag. "But seriously, thanks. This helps."

Wilder gives me a thumbs up. He then stands up and begins trying to balance a stack of pizza boxes on his head, much to Asher’s amusement and Levi’s exasperated sigh. Levi starts gathering discarded napkins and paper plates, a small frown creasing his brow as he surveys the living room.

“Anytime,” Levi says, offering me a small, genuine smile as he passes by with a handful of trash.

As the guys clean up, Selene walks over to me and says, “Hey, Isla mentioned that you were in the creative writing class that she’s also taking this semester. I was thinking of taking it next fall and wanted to know what you thought of it. Especially since writing is your thing.”

"Oh, yeah," I say, my mind still half on hockey loyalty and brotherhood, half on the empty space Blaise hadn't occupied.

"Professor Martinez’s class? It's…intense.

Good, but intense. Lots of reading, even more writing.

She doesn't pull punches with feedback. If you're serious about creative writing, it's worth it. But don't expect an easy A."

"That's what Isla said. She loves it, but she also said she's never worked harder for a B-plus."

"Yeah, Martinez definitely makes you earn it, but it’s rewarding either way.I’m very happy with how my writing has improved."

"Well, thanks for the intel," Selene says, her voice light. "Might stick to my current plan of easy electives then." She pauses, for a moment before her gaze lands back on me. "So, everyone made it tonight except for one."

My stomach clenches because I know she noticed how awkward I was at the Senior Night game. With a heavy sigh, I brace for it. Because here it comes.

"Yeah, well," I start and then pause. I’m failing at being unaffected by what she’s implying. "Blaise had a group project thing. You know how it is, end of semester."

"That makes sense. Knox has talked about how rigid Blaise’s schedule can be." Selene's words are casual, but the tone of her voice is anything but.

I know what she’s getting at, but I refuse to take the bait. "Mhmm," I mumble, suddenly very interested in adjusting the strap of my bag instead of looking at her. "He's probably got a color-coded calendar along with his color-coded notebooks to keep up with everything."

Selene studies me for a moment longer than is comfortable. "Probably. Though it's a shame he couldn't make it. The article would feel more complete with all the seniors, don't you think?"

I shrug. "I'll catch him another time. No big deal." That had been my plan anyway, although the thought of it annoys the shit out of me.

"Right," Selene says, but her eyes tell me she's not convinced. "No big deal at all."

Before she can press further, I glance at my phone to check the time. "I should get going. Got to start transcribing all this while it's fresh."

"Of course." Selene smiles. "I'll walk you out."

As we head toward the door, Knox calls from the kitchen, "You heading out, Wills?"

"Yeah," I call back. "Got everything I needed."

My brother appears in the doorway, dish towel in hand. When did he become so domestic? "Let me know when the article's coming out. I want to make sure you quoted my brilliance accurately."

"I'll be sure to include your modesty as well." I slip my arms into my coat that Selene hands me.

Knox grins. "That's my favorite quality."

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. "Later, loser."

The door closes behind me, and I exhale slowly, as if I’d been holding my breath the entire time.

The relief that I feel from having that part of the interview over is quickly cut short when I realize I still have to reach out to Blaise and figure out when and where we can meet up so I can have quotes from him in this article.

And we will more than likely have to do it alone.