Page 43 of Mind Pucked

Which I am, but she doesn’t have to know that. Not that I think of Amelia as the help much either, but…I shake my head as a whole host of hoots and hollers come from the door as our families start to enter the locker room.

I smile as I see Amelia and Hayden in the group, but seeing my mother in the mix just sends my stomach rolling.

“Jacksy, my boy,” she says as she blows air kisses at me.

“Daddy,” Hayden says as she wrinkles her little face and jumps from Amelia’s arms into mine.

Our attention cuts to the center of the room as the hockey sticks began to drum on the ground. This is known as “TJ,” and the families like to be involved. The sticks make an echoing sound as they slap against the concrete, and I hand my practice stick to Hayden so she can join in. There’s no way I’m going to let her use my game stick.

She joins in on the drumming, and I smile to see all the guys tapping their sticks to their own individual rhythm.

Stephen from team two does a little double tap between each long tap. Oliver is definitely dancing to the beat of his own drum as he knocks his stick side by side with Felix. I follow the rhythm that Hayden sets for us as she dances up and down with her stick.

Eventually all the players come together in the middle, jiggling their sticks and tapping them to the ground. They each overlap until they become a mingle of plastic and wood. Soon, we’re all tapping in unison, showing that our team can work as one.

I look over to see my mother scowling at the noise, but Amelia is looking at Hayden who’s wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. Soon, Oliver breaks free from the chaos and throws Hayden into the air, planting her on my shoulders as we finish the ritual.

This is so much better than swapping underwear.

I look over at my mother who is also looking at me, but then she looks back at Amelia like she’s realized the nanny is watching me. A look crosses her face, but it quickly leaves as she seems to realize that Amelia must be watching Hayden on my shoulders. My mother nods to me as she takes her leave from the locker room. She’s never been one for such rowdy practices, even when I was a boy.

She would let me hang out with my friends and fellow teammates as long as we wanted, as long as we weren’t rowdy. Once we worked up to more than a normal octave, she usually shut us down quickly. I hope one day Hayden can experience the chaos and joy of friendship like this. These are my brothers.

Once the drumming stops, Amelia walks up and grabs Hayden off my shoulders.

“Down you go,” she says with a smile as she helps her down, grabbing her hand at the end. “Let’s go find your grandmother so we can sit with her for your daddy’s game.”

“Play really good for me, Daddy,” Hayden says, smiling as she bounces off toward the door holding Amelia’s hand.

My heart swells at how happy this little girl has been recently. I think about all the nannies we had in the past, and how she hadn’t gotten close to anyone since her mother. Not that she was old enough to remember her mother, but I know she senses that no one will replace the woman who meant so much to both of us.

I watch as Coach walks up to the center of the room as we all sit down or take a knee. He’s usually good for a pep talk, and the closer we get to winning this thing, the more intense his talks become.

“You guys are all winners,” he begins, but before he can say another word, we all cheer. “I know our team has gone through a lot together. You guys have grown, have learned how to take a few punches, and have developed skills far beyond what I imagined. I want you to go out there and do your best, be your best, and win this thing!”

It isn’t a particularly long or loving speech, but it’s enough that cheers erupt from all of us, and we get up and throw our fists in the air. I join in on the madness as we all grab our things and whoop and holler as we exit the locker room, making our way to the entrance of the arena.

Still making a scene, we enter the arena from our designated doorway. The entire audience erupts in cheers as we come out, allowing each one of us to be announced with both our namesand numbers. Each of us gives our signature cheer or dance as we amp up the crowd, getting them ready for an awesome game.

I look across the ice to where the other team is warming up. It’s getting so close to the playoffs—they’re going to be good.

“Look, boys, the girls are coming in,” the right wing from the other team says.

“Your mother!” Felix shouts back as we pass.

I smile, because there’s nothing wrong with a little playful banter, especially if our team ends up winning. It doesn’t always have to be harsh or mean words—a simple knock on a guy’s inability to score can put a player over the edge. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the game.

I smile and wave playfully at the team’s right wing as we skate by, blowing him a kiss for distraction.

“Don’t, Jackson, he might like that a little too much,” Oliver says as he pats me on the ass.

I look over to where Felix guards his goal. He’s gesturing obscenities at the goalie from the other team. Oliver takes his center position as face-off is about to begin.

A whistle is blown as the centers take their position. The puck is released, and the game starts as Oliver darts forward, sticking the puck before our opponents can grab it.

I see Luca take up his position from the corner of my eye, wishing like hell it was Preston. I might be upset that he was with my wife when she died, and that he and I had been rivals all our lives, but I do miss playing with the sorry bastard.

“Luca, watch out!” I yell as the other team’s left wing flanks in,accidentallyhitting Luca in the chest with his elbow.

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