Page 96 of The Hat Trick

“Yeah, it’s just you know the pressure and all that,” he waves me off, clearly downplaying whatever is actually going on.

Though, I’m sure it doesn’t help. He is under a lot of pressure, we all are. Him especially, trying to live up to what he believes the team needs, to be the next captain. We’ve been killing it in our games lately and it’s scary when you’re on such a high and doing so well in the league because the downfall can be so much worse.

Our team is fucking amazing this year. It’s like we can communicate telepathically, and it seems like it’s only gotten better over the last month since Chandler came into our lives. We are on track to break some league records in points and number of games to guarantee our spot in the playoffs. So, I get what Collee is saying about the pressure. I just know that he’s clearly feeling it somewhere else too.

“Yeah, I get it man, but you don’t have to take it on alone. We are a team.” I try not to be too sappy. “And Chandler can also help, you know she loves helping to take away your stress.”

He chuckles a little and I’m glad it helped him loosen up a little bit.

“Call her,” I tell him.

He nods, silently agreeing and I hope he actually follows through.

When we arrive in Anaheim we are taken directly to the hotel and only have a couple hours before we have to go practice this afternoon.

Vince: Just got to Anaheim, I hope you’re having a good day, baby.

Chandler: I am. Working on a big project at work, really excited about it.

I smile, thinking about her wide smile when talking about something she’s excited about. Her laughter and smiles are probably my favorite things. I want to ask her if Collee called her, but don’t want to push it. Instead, I decide to call my mom because I haven’t talked to her in about a week and she gets it during the season, but I like to check in.

I wouldn’t say I’m a “momma’s boy” or anything, I’m just close with my family in general and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’ve seen what other people go through and I can’t imagine not having the support of my family.

“Hey Mom,” I greet when she answers on the second ring.

“Hello, hun, where are you now?” She knows I’m everywhere during the season but can’t quite keep up. Her and my dad watch my games from home a lot, and sometimes come in person, but Dad says Mom has a hard time seeing me get hit. No matter how long I’ve played the game they still worry about me getting hurt.

“Anaheim, three more road games before we are back home.”

“Em said they went to one of your last home games.”

“You could join her, sometime,” I say lightly. They’ve always supported me in hockey and would go to my games when I was a kid, but the schedule in the NHL is rigorous and I know they can’t come to every single home game. I still like messing with them when I can.

“You know I watch every single game on TV for you,” she chuckles. “Em said she met a girl at the game. A girl you’ve told her about and not me.”

“Em has a big mouth.” I shake my head.

“Why haven’t I heard anything? I thought you told me everything,” she pretends to scold.

“Ma, you know that’s not true, and there is no way you’dwantme to tell you everything.”

“You’re most definitely right about that. Want to talk to your dad?”

“Sure, if he’s around.”

She tells me to hold on for a second while she goes to get him.

“Son! How’s my Stanley Cup winner?” Dad greets loudly.

“I haven’t won the cup yet, Dad,” I chuckle. He’s said that ever since I signed my contract with the NHL. I’m not sure if he thought that meant I automatically won, but he hasn’t dropped saying it since.

“But you will, how’re you doing? How’s your girlfriend?”

I groan, “Did Em announce it from the rooftops or something?”

“No, just said she was nice, and that we should meet her so when you actually have some free time you should bring her over to dinner. You know your mother would love to meet her.”

I just laugh, “I’ll see what I can do.”

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