Page 88 of Massacre Monday

“Don’t be! That was unexpected, but…welcoming.”

Seeing them all interact gives me a moment to reflect. Ryan’s close with his family, and I want to be part of it, too.

This is all really happening.

And I belong.

thirty

“What’s your problem?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, wiping my face with a towel.

Lan shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “I handed you an easy pass and you let it go.”

Jax slaps my shoulder. “He’s doing fine.”

The words are hollow, cast only to give me a boost of confidence. It’s not beyond my comprehension that I played like shit for the last two periods. I was so nervous that Penwouldn’tshow that I couldn’t focus for the first one and slipped the puck right to the Lecherton Lion’s defender, who directly slapped the shot into our goal.

Second period ended with me in the box after elbowing the same guy in the face for asking if I was checking for my girlfriend. Then he said that she was late because she was recovering from taking his dick. No one talks about my wife like that.Soon-to-be wife.

It’s just the first game of the season. I don’t know why I’m so bent that she’s not here. No one showed up for me. Maybemaking the announcement that I wasn’t going to continue playing after college made them stop caring. It still hurts.

Despite that simmering disappointment, I need to focus and win for the Nighthawks. Landon will be here next year, Jax, and half of the team. I need to buckle down and concentrate for them.

Most importantly, for my own pride.

“I’m fine. Let’s do this, guys. Everyone knows Lecherton is a second-rate team and we’re better than this. As the oldest here, I should be a better role model. I’ve been slacking out there today, but that’s not what this Nighthawk represents.” I grab my jersey and slap my chest. The guys glance up at me with some hope.

I continue, louder now. “No matter if we’reTheta,Delta, orBetawhen it comes to the games. There’s onlyone gamethat matters right now and that’s this one. I’m ready to get back out there and win this thing, if you all are. Start our season off with a ‘W’ and bring home the cup at the end of the season. Who’s with me?”

“Nighthawks on three!” Jax yells, and everyone gathers into a huddle. Pads clash and guys bounce, ready and excited to get back out there. “Three!”

“Nighthawks win!” we all chant, bumping shoulders and slapping helmets.

As we head out of the locker room, Coach Bell strolls beside me. “Nice speech. I didn’t even have to say a word. You know, if you end up back here next year, we could use you.”

A smile spreads across my face. I could see that. Me, as an assistant coach, helping the team. My family would be thrilled that I was close by. But I’d miss traveling the world.

“Maybe in a few years.”

As we reach the end of the stands near the bench, my heart soars. A gorgeous woman wears a Nighthawks number nine jersey.My jersey, and she looks fucking amazing in it. New kinkunlocked. If she weren’t standing next to my mother and both of my sisters, I’d consider dry humping her right here before hitting the ice.

Instead, I snag a lock of her hair between my gloves and press my helmet to her forehead.

“So sorry we were late!” Pen breathes out with a look of anxiety painted on her face.

“It’s my fault,” Olivia says. “We were, um, organizing Pippi’s stuff at your place and time got away from us.”

“Organizing?” I ask, narrowing an eye at her.

Pen steps back and smiles. “Your mom helped.”

Mom lays her arm over Pen’s shoulders and nods. “You’ll like it. And if you don’t,you’ll like it,Ryan.”

Alice tosses some popcorn in her mouth and eyes the score. “Why are you losing?”

“Because I didn’t have my good luck charm, and now I do,” I say and blow a kiss to my girl. Her face flushes as she smiles.