Page 115 of Defensive Zone

“Don’t you mean Pookie’s game?” Amanda asked.

Darcy blushed, but she spun around so they could all see My Pookie on the back of her jersey with Jake’s number.

“Still the best thing I’ve done,” Ally said.

“It was supposed to be a joke, but now it’s tradition,” Darcy said.

“And you can’t mess with tradition,” Amanda said. She would know. She was dating one of the most superstitious guys in the league, according to Max.

“Obviously not,” Darcy said.

“Thanks for agreeing to come here and sort of break tradition,” Ava said.

“Of course. You guys are family and it’s not like you can bring all the kids to C&B until all hours of the night. Plus, we can relax and chat with the newest WAG.” Amanda pinned her gaze on Gabi.

“Um. That’s okay,” Gabi stammered.

Ava laughed. “Maybe after the kids go to bed. Not that I want details.”

“Oh look, it’s almost puck drop,” Gabi said. “Connor, Amelia. Do you need anything?”

“Nope. Just ready to watch Uncle Max kick ass,” Connor said.

“Connor,” Ava exclaimed. “We do not use that language.”

“That’s right; we do not use that language,” Penny said, looking at a chagrined Amanda.

“Sorry,” Connor and Amanda both said.

Gabi bit back her chuckle.

Over an hour later, the Strikers were deep into the second period. Ava had put Elise in her crib shortly after the game started, and now Connor was snuggled up to his mom, fast asleep.

“Uncle Max needs a goal?” Amelia whispered.

“We’ll see. He doesn’t get them all the time. His position is to protect the goalie while the other guys get goals, but sometimes he can’t help himself.” Gabi grinned.

“’Cause he likes to do cellies,” Amelia said seriously.

“Yeah, he does.” Riley chuckled. “But he does have a lot of goals for a defenseman.”

“He used to play as a forward in juniors,” Ava said.

“He’s multi-talented,” Gabi said.

“I bet he is,” Amanda chimed in.

Gabi blushed and Ava groaned.

“That’s my brother,” Ava said.

Amanda shrugged.

“I told you we can’t take her anywhere,” Penny said.

“We say the same about Max,” Ava said.

“Oh man, can you imagine the two of them in a relationship? Disaster,” Penny said.

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