Page 105 of Hockey Halloween

Xander

Spring hockey meant playoff hockey, which was never a bad thing for Xander. Sure, it felt kind of weird coming to the rink in shorts and a t-shirt only to skate across a sheet of ice, but the playoffs were the best part of the season.

But this season, it also felt different, and that was because of Jessica.

Xander tied the laces on his dress shoes and ran his fingers through his hair, checking his reflection out in the mirror of his personal locker to make sure he looked good.

"You still look like shit, Old Man."

Xander tried to hide the smile pulling at the corners of his lips, not only because he didn't want to give Chase the satisfaction of knowing his chirp landed but also because it physically hurt to smile.

He was going to be sporting a real shiner tomorrow after taking a punch from a defenseman in a fight tonight.

"Maybe it's because I threw more punches than you tonight, Rookie."

He turned to see Chase standing there, tailored suit and smug look. But then Chase gave him a big, genuine smile. "I'll admit: I'm jealous that you got some shots in against Matterson. "

"He deserved it."

"He totally deserved it!" Chase replied enthusiastically. "Anyway, is my mom going home with you or me tonight?'

"She drove you here, she's driving you home," Tyler said from his spot in front of his own locker. "I'm not going to be your chauffeur again so my captain can get it on with your mom."

"Fair enough," Xander replied gruffly. "Let's go. Jessica is waiting for us."

The pair left Tyler and the locker room behind, heading down the hall deep into the arena.

There were still people hanging around even though the game ended an hour ago.

The coaches were still talking to each other about the game that night, the equipment guys were corralling sticks and helmets, and reporters were hanging around asking questions of anyone who walked by.

"Hey, Xander! Can I get one more quote from you? Just a quick hit about how you feel after this first game of the playoffs?"

"Great first win to pick up. We had a good balance between the veterans and young guys to get the job done."

The reporter gave him a quick thanks and started texting something on his phone. Xander had learned over the years how to give reporters what they needed and move along. No small talk or dragging things on.

Besides, he had somewhere else to be.

The friends and family lounge was packed with people tonight.

During the regular season, there would be games when it was sparse with barely anyone there.

But this was the first game of the playoffs so everyone showed up.

Girlfriends and wives, players' parents, even kids were up way past their bedtimes running around waiting for their hockey-playing dads to show up.

It took some time to find Jessica in the crowd of people, and Xander had to tag along behind Chase when he found her first.

Jessica's smile radiated light as she gave her son a huge hug. "Nice goal tonight, buddy."

She rubbed Chase's back and squeezed him tighter before finally letting go, her eyes roaming around until she found Xander. Her smile faded a bit, replaced with a small grimace and she walked over and reached for his cheek under his eye.

"That looks like it's going to really hurt tomorrow."

Xander shrugged. "Hazards of the job."

Her smile returned and she kissed his cheek, which caused both a bit of pain and pleasure at the same time. It was definitely going to hurt more tomorrow, but Xander would take the bit of pain tonight if it meant getting a kiss from Jessica.

Then she put her hand on his chest under his suit jacket, her fingers lingering on his skin exposed by his slightly unbuttoned shirt. "I'm going to miss you tonight," she murmured.

"I know. Me too."

And he meant it. Sure, it was only for a few nights, but Xander's mom was coming into town tomorrow to watch him play, and he had to get his place straightened out for her. Plus, it gave Jessica an excuse to spend some time at Chase's place.

Most nights, Jessica was at Xander's place now that she lived in Denver. She left Toronto and was working remotely at her old job so Xander's place, which had its own office that he never used, was the logical place for her to stay.

Xander knew that Chase was happy to have his mom close by now without having her actually living with him — after all, he was twenty years old and single — but Xander also knew that Chase wouldn't admit that he liked it when his mom stayed at her son's place some nights.

Was it still a bit weird? Yes. And did Xander still notice the family and girlfriends that would give them strange looks like the ones he got tonight as the three of them stood together talking? Oh yeah, he definitely saw those.

Let them stare. Xander was a grown man who knew what he wanted, and he wanted Jessica — even if it meant he was dating his teammate's mom.

"Alright, I have to get home before this eye swells up on me," Xander said. "You going home with the kid?"

Chase rolled his eyes. "I'm an adult."

He shook his head and walked out of the lounge with Xander and Jessica trailing behind him as they headed to the players' parking lot.

The spring night was still a bit crisp as they stepped outside and Xander instinctively put his around Jessica when he felt her shiver next to him.

"Make sure you grab a few extra blankets since I won't be there to keep you warm tonight," he whispered in her ear.

"I will." She leaned in closer. "It's only for a few days anyway, and I'm sure your mom will be happy to see you."

"Speaking of which, she wanted me to invite you and Chase to dinner tomorrow night."

Chase stopped and turned to the couple with a big grin on his face.

"Seriously, you talk too loud for someone who is trying to have a private conversation with my mom that I'm not supposed to hear," he said.

"Also, is your mom making lasagna? Because I like it when she makes lasagna and tells me embarrassing stories about you. "

Xander gave him a scathing look, but Chase didn't seem flustered by it.

He should probably be upset about the barb from his teammate, but it was also kind of endearing when Chase and Xander's mom would have their little gossip circle when she came to visit.

It was just another thing that made Xander think that this relationship with Jessica could actually work.

"I'll put in a request for lasagna."

Chase smiled. "And let Barbara know that I'll bring some of that Flat Tire Ale I know she likes."

And with that, he walked over to his mom's car and climbed in the passenger seat, loudly slamming the door shut to let them know he was giving them some privacy.

"He does like you," Jessica sweetly said.

"I think he likes my mom's lasagna more."

She laughed and grabbed the lapel of his suit jacket, pulling herself up to give him a warm kiss. And when she pulled away and looked up at him, he could feel his heart speed up just a little. He was so lucky to have her in his life and not have to sneak around anymore.

"Get some ice on that eye, OK? "

Her fingers came up and brushed his cheek, and he quietly nodded in agreement against her touch.

"You played great tonight," she said. "And I love you."

"Love you, too."

He walked with her to her car, opening the door for her to help her in. "Good night," he said quietly before turning to Jessica's passenger. "Night, Chase."

"Night." Chase looked up from his phone and smiled. "And remember, tell Barbara my proposal to trade beer for lasagna."

Xander smiled. "I'll let her know."

Jessica quietly closed her car door before giving him a small wave and driving off. And as Xander watched them go, he couldn't help but think that he was the luckiest guy in the world.