Page 119 of Pinch

Holding her hand, we walk down the rows to where a tall man my dad’s age with light brown hair dressed in a tweed sports coat and dark jeans stands beside a woman Mom’s age with long blonde hair and wearing a Knight sweater.

A slender, petite woman with long, straight dark hair and a Knight sweater is on her other side, and she’s with a muscular man in a short-sleeved, black sweater that does little to hide his tattoo sleeves.

I recognize them at once from Gavin’s descriptions.

“Excuse me?” I carefully extend a hand. “Are you Patrick Knight?”

I’m relieved when his hazel eyes brighten at once. “Haddy? Hey—it’s so nice to meet you!”

“Yes, sir, it’s me, and this is my mom, Raven Bradford.” I nervously motion to my mom.

“How do you do,” Mom’s saying the words as my dad’s loud voice comes up from behind us.

“Don’t leave me out of this!” He reaches out to shake Patrick’s hand. “Hendrix Bradford, Haddy’s dad.”

They shake hands, and before I know it, Uncle Logan is with us along with the rest of the brothers. Aunt Dylan skips up, and they’re all introducing themselves and talking about hockey and us and babies and how long are you in town? And inviting each other to Wilmington and Newhope.

“That was easy!” Gigi’s upbeat voice is at my side. “It’s like we’re not even here.”

“Gavin said that’s why he and Mav were always so close.” I smile watching them chat like old friends. “We all come from big, loving families.”

An air-horn sounds, and we notice the teams have moved off the ice, leaving two players at center of the rink.

“It’s the face-off.” I reach for my mother’s arm. “The game is starting!”

“I really like Gavin’s parents. They’re so nice!” Mom stands beside me, eyes on the rink below. “Wow, look how good they can skate.”

I’m about to agree when I feel a hand touching my back. Turning, I see it’s Gavin’s mom Kenny, and I stand quickly.

“Haddy?” Her voice is soft, and she has bright blue eyes just like her son’s. “I didn’t get to meet you earlier. I’m Kenny.”

“Yes!” I take her hand. “I’ve been wanting to meet you. Gavin’s told me so much about you.”

Looking down at her ivory hand in mine, I notice the red ring around her pinky finger.

“He’s told me about you, but I think he told his dadmore.” Her small nose wrinkles and she leans forward. “He thinks Elaine and I pressure him too much to settle down.”

“I don’t know about that. He only says good things all the time.”

“We love him a lot. I hope you do, too,” she laughs, and I like her already. “How are you feeling? How’s the baby?”

“So far, so good,” I take her hand, placing it on my stomach. “This little girl is active. You might get to feel a kick. Gav and I are always laughing at the crazy shapes my stomach takes.”

“He was pretty active when I was pregnant, too.” She rubs my stomach gently. “He said you’re naming her Lucy?”

“We were also thinking of naming her Kendra if that’s okay?”

“I would love that.”

Noise on the rink draws our attention to the guys flying around, passing the puck to each other. They’re facing off against the Colorado Cliffs again, and I’m bracing myself, remembering what a rough game it was last time.

Mav has the puck and is flying down the ice to try and score when one of their defenders skates right at him, stealing the puck and taking off in the opposite direction.

My hands don’t move too far from my face the entire play. I’m ready to cover my eyes when I feel a light touch on my shoulder.

“Haddy?” The blonde woman is at my side, and I quickly reach out to shake her hand.

“Elaine?” I guess, and she smiles, giving me a hug.