Page 17 of Puck Like A Girl

We spin around and come face to face with the last person from Teagan’s family we expected.

“No, Mrs. Hayes, that didn’t go well at all.” Coulter hangs his head like a sad puppy.

“I’m going to let you in on a little secret about Teagan. The more you try and fight her battles for her, the more she will push you away. I’ve seen her do it with her father and brothers, everyone she loves, and now the three of you.”

We nod at Mrs. Hayes, none of us ready to speak yet.

“All I’m saying is, if you want Teagan in your life, let her fight her own battles, no matter how hard they might be. Teagan’s been in more fights than her brothers, and that’s saying a lot. She learned from the best. She can handle herself on and off the ice. Remember, they’re just words.”

“Yes, ma’am.” We reply as one.

“I never knew my wife was a puck bunny.” Mr. Hayes wraps his arms around his wife in a big hug before planting a kiss on her neck. “I thought you got lost.”

“Eww, gross, dad. Don’t call mom a puck bunny,” one of the triplets says as they all take on matching scowls.

Mrs. Hayes rolls her eyes at her sons. “I wanted to have a little talk with Teagan’s teammates before we left. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of these boys.”

Mr. Hayes raises his eyebrow, shifting his gaze between the three of us. “Hmm, I approve. Now, let’s get home. I’ve got a special surprise for my wife.” He leans down, capturing her lips with his.

“Still gross, Dad,” one of the triplets says as the other two make gagging noises, acting more like six-year-olds than twenty-six-year-olds.

Breaking the kiss, Mrs. Hayes scolds her sons. “You act like a bunch of old ladies instead of hot studs in their prime. Just wait until you find someone you can’t keep your hands off of, then we’ll talk.”

The triplets' expressions change from teasing to sadness. “Yeah, not everyone can have the epic love story the two of you have,” one of them says, and the other two nod in agreement.

“Oh, boys, it will happen for all of you someday. Now, why don’t we go out to eat and celebrate Teagan’s first game? Why don’t you boys join us.” Mrs. Hayes’s eyes shine with undisguised mirth.

“But Val, what about my surprise?” Now, it’s Mr. Hayes’s turn to act like a six-year-old.

“Don’t worry, honey. I’ll make it up to you.” She gives him a lingering kiss, which is interrupted again by one of the triplets.

“Come on, we're in public.”

Instead of getting mad at their sons, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes just laugh. I’m not used to this. In my family, if you smart off to your parents, you get punished. And God forbid you get accused of something you didn’t do because your parents will never believe you. Always wanting to believe the worst.

Teagan is a lucky girl. I hope she knows just how much.

fourteen

Teagan

Having a celebratory dinner with your family and the three guys you crave is not a good idea, especially since I’m currently pissed off at Royal, Fin, and Coulter at the moment. How dare they ruin my starting debut by defending my honor.

Ugh, I know that makes me sound like such a bitch, but I can’t have all the males in my life fighting my battles for me. My goal for being a part of this team was to be treated equally, not like some damsel in distress who can’t fend for herself. That’s not me. That will never be me.

I’m a Hayes, damn it! We come from strong stock and a hearty heritage. I don’t need one man, let alone three, taking away my right to defend myself against some small-minded, short-man syndrome, insecure little bullies.

“Come on, everyone. I want to get a picture of my daughter and her team captains.” My mom coaxes from the head of the table, her phone already poised for the photo.

“Mom.” I frown down at my plate of spaghetti and stab one of the meatballs with my fork.

“Ouch, I’m glad I’m not one of you guys,” Tarek says. I look up to see him looking at Fin, Royal, and Coulter while all the other males at the table wince at the meatball with the fork still piercing it.

My mom stifles a giggle, “Alright, enough of your teasing, Talen. I want to get at least one picture before we leave.”

“Mom, I’m Tarek,” Tarek grumbles just as my mother gives me a conspiratorial wink. But I still can’t tell if she’s joking or if she really can’t tell her own triplet sons apart. I’m betting on the latter because they are so identical I don’t think anyone could tell them apart, not even the woman who gave birth to them.

“Royal, Fin, and Coulter come and stand around Teagan in a semi-circle behind her chair.” Mom positions the guys exactly where she wants them, taking her time to inspect her camera and the lighting in the room.

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