Page 62 of The Hat Trick

Collee just shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s how this works, and from what I’ve seen I don’t think that’s what would happen.”

“Was this idea stupid?” I’ve asked myself the question a million times, and I still don’t think it is, but I want to hear someone else say it. Someone else who’s involved in this situation.

Collee just smirks, “I’m biased, but no, it’s not a stupid idea.”

I laugh, “Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t think it’s a bad idea.”

“Not at all.”

We settle into the flight and head to our next away game before going home right before New Year’s Eve.

* * *

Another road game down,and I’m back in Denver busting through the door of my sister’s house.

“Uncle Vinny!” Josie screeches before launching herself into my arms. Alana isn’t far behind her.

They climb up from my grasp so each one is sitting on my shoulders. I hold them in place while looking for my sister.

“Em?” I call out. Their house isn’t massive by any means, but I helped buy her and our parents each a decent place while having my penthouse downtown.

“In here,” she yells back, and I follow her voice toward the loft that the girls use as a playroom.

“I thought you two were supposed to be helping clean up,” she says to my nieces who continue to be perched on my shoulders.

They both giggle. “But Mommy, Vinny’s here now,” Josie tries to reason.

“Well thenVinnycan help clean up too.” She folds her arms in front of her.

“Orif you two clean up then I’ll take you to get ice cream.” I jostle them around a bit which only makes them laugh harder.

“Okay,” Josie says through her giggles. I set them both down and they get right to picking up the toys all over the floor.

Em comes over and thanks me quietly while we stand back as the girls rush to pick up all their toys as fast as they possibly can.

“Any plans for tomorrow?” Em asks, referring to New Year’s Eve.

I shrug. “Nothing concrete.”

What I mean is I don’t know if I’m spending it with Chandler or not. When I asked, she said she would have to see if she already had plans. I can’t help but feel like that’s her attempting to blow me off, but I plan to figure it out later today.

“Your next game is the day after New Year’s?” she wonders.

“Yeah, did you guys want to come?” It’s a home game, and they haven’t gone to many this season.

“I’ll check with Eric, but possibly.”

I nod. “I’ll see if Chandler wants to go too.” I say the words mostly to myself, but don’t even think about it until they’ve left my mouth.

“Who’s Chandler?”

“Oh, yeah, she’s the girl I met at that Christmas village. Remember when I said I had to save a damsel in distress?”

She snorts, “I didn’t think you were serious, I thought you just didn’t want to admit you went to the bathroom or something.”

“Why would I be weird about that when we grew up forced to share a bathroom?”

She shutters, “Don’t remind me.”

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