Page 116 of Defensive Zone

“I’ll stick with my Cheese. Besides, Gabi is the perfect fit for our Max,” Amanda said.

“Um. Thanks,” Gabi replied. It was still weird to be so open about her relationship with Max, to not have it be a total secret.

“Okay, the kids are in bed and hopefully Amelia won’t wander down for another glass of water,” Ava said an hour later.

Ava had let them stay up until the end of the second period. Amelia had fought it, but she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Connor had been out since the first period. But as soon as Ava had said bedtime, Amelia had every excuse to stay up to watch, including requests for multiple cups of water.

“Great. Now for the grilling,” Amanda said, rubbing her hands together.

“Stop. We just want to make sure you two are happy,” Penny said.

“And we want dirty details,” Amanda said.

Gabi took a gulp of wine and then shoved a chip in her mouth.

“Shouldn’t we pay attention to the game?” she said after swallowing her second chip in a row.

“We can do both,” Amanda said.

The Strikers were up three to two going into the third, and it was a tight game. Max hadn’t scored the goal Amelia had wanted, but there was still time. He looked amazing as usual on the ice, and she did not want to talk about any dirty details with his sister in the room.

“Don’t freak her out. We like her, and we like her with Baz. I think she’s calmed him down a bit.”

“Were you not pulling blue confetti off of your fiancé after game one?” Sara asked.

Sophia laughed. “Seriously. They showered at the arena and I found some in Finn’s pocket.”

“Ah, that’s just harmless stuff,” Amanda said.

“The kids saran wrapped the hallway this morning and he walked right into it,” Ava said.

The women all started laughing.

“Video next time, please,” Penny said.

“Oh, I have it,” Gabi said, grabbing her phone. She’d started the video as soon as she’d heard him coming down the stairs.

She held up her phone, with full audio, to show them.

“That’s fantastic. Also, pretty sure he could burn a hole through that saran wrap with the way he’s looking at the phone, or should I say the person holding the phone?” Riley said.

“Tell us everything,” Amanda said.

“Um, his sister is right here,” Gabi said, giving her friend an apologetic smile.

Ava laughed. “Don’t give me any bedroom details, and it’s fine. You’re happy. He’s happy. That’s all I need,” Ava said.

“When Elise cries and Ava goes to check on her, we want all the dirty details,” Riley said.

“I bet Baz is super dirty,” Amanda said.

Heat flooded Gabi’s cheeks.

“Yep. Totally dirty,” Amanda said.

“La la la. Don’t want to know,” Ava sang.

“I think I hear a baby crying,” Amanda said.

“Ignore her,” Penny said.

“Oh no, Calgary tied it up,” Darcy said, and they all turned their attention back to the TV.

“Thanks,” Gabi said to the woman.

“Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but you’re both happy so you’ll figure everything else out.”

Gabi hoped so.

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