Page 6 of The Hat Trick

As I’m walking away, I hear Audrey demand to know what she missed, and I chuckle as I find my way to my family. I find them at the other end of the plaza where an ice skating rink is set up. My sister, Emilynn, is leaning on the edge watching her husband, Eric, help their daughters, Josie and Alana, along on the ice.

I lean against the side next to Em and watch them as well.

“I could teach them better, you know?” I taunt, nudging her shoulder with mine.

“You’ll be the one to teach them hockey when they’re ready. Where’d you go?”

“Nowhere, just had to save a damsel in distress.”

Em snorts, “Shut up.”

I just shrug as we continue to watch her kids stumble across the ice. Josie is five, and Alana is three. Josie is able to skate around on her own, as she holds her arms out for balance. Alana is being guided by Eric; her body is completely stiff like she isn’t sure what to do.

It’s nice to have these times with them. My schedule can be insane during the season, and after tomorrow’s game we are going to go on a two week long road trip before coming back for a couple home games before Christmas. Sometimes I’m jealous of my sister and her family having a “normal” life. But hockey ismy life, and I know how lucky I am to be in the position I am, not only financially, but I get to play my favorite game for a living. It doesn’t get any better than that.

“Uncle Vinny, come skate,” Josie calls from where she’s taken a break at the wall.

“I like watching you, Jojo.” It’s not a complete lie, but in reality, my skates are in my car, and I don’t like renting them because I’m particular about skates.

“Then watch what I can do now,” she beams, and starts pushing herself backward while still holding onto the wall. It’s a cute effort, and I cheer her on.

Once the girls are too tired to keep skating, I help Alana take off her skates before holding her on my shoulders as we all go to leave.

Once we get to the car, Em helps Alana down and buckles her into her car seat.

“Are you guys coming to the game tomorrow?” I ask. They come to as many home games as they can. It’s easier now that the girls are getting older and like to watch.

“Yeah, I think so, since we won’t see you for a while.”

“Okay, your passes will be ready if you decide to go.”

The passes I give to them are in the family suite and they enjoy it up there. It gives the girls space to run around if they get restless.

As I make my way to my own car, I get a different set of tickets set up for Chandler because I don’t want her up where I can’t see her. I want her right at the glass, behind our bench.

Vince:I hope you didn’t have any plans tomorrow night because you have tickets to my game. You can pick up the passes at the main entrance.

4

We left not long after finishing our cold hot chocolate and donut. Once we got to the car, I told Audrey everything that happened from running into Jay to how Vince swooped in and saved me. I also told her that not only was Jay engaged, but he’s now married. And his new anniversary withLolais the day we broke up. He probably doesn’t even realize that. She also let me have my phone back. I refuse to admit I was slightly disappointed that Vince didn’t text me yet, but I know it’s ridiculous to think he will at all.

I decided I wanted to go home instead of completing the last thing on our list, promising we will do it another time. As we are pulling up to our house my phone goes off, and instead of being chill I rush to check it and hold back the squeal when I read the message. I immediately know exactly who it is.

“You don’t have any plans tomorrow night, do you?” I ask.

“Other than planning for some cam shows this week, nope,” Audrey says. She’s a cam girl and I respect the hell out of her for it.

“Good. We are going to a hockey game.” I smile.

“We know nothing about hockey.”

I gasp, “First of all, I fuckinglovehockey. Second of all, there’s a puck, sticks and hot men. How complicated could it be?”

* * *

Audrey was goingto do a cam show tonight, but instead she has found herself on our couch with me while we watch the last Denver game from two nights ago trying to learn a thing or two. I also wanted to see what Vince looks like when he plays. He’s number forty-seven, and a defenseman. So far, we are in the second period and I’ve seen him hit some guys into the boards pretty hard.

We’ve learned about a couple penalties since a guy on our team got two minutes in the penalty box, or what we are calling the “no no box” for tripping. Someone from the other team got two minutes for hooking.

---