Page 61 of Defensive Zone

“Yeah, don’t yell at Mommy,” Amelia said, pulling her ponytail out of the back of the sweatshirt Gabi had just helped her put on.

“I don’t want to miss Chicklet,” Connor said.

Gabi laughed. “Don’t worry. He’ll be there when we get there. Riley said we can call her when we’re on our way.”

“But she’s taking so long,” he whined.

“Imagine how much time it took her to get both of you ready when you were babies. Go grab your coat, okay?” she said, and he stomped off.

The Strikers were still away. They were playing Carolina tonight and then they’d be home tomorrow. Not that she was counting down the days or hours or anything.

Ugh. She was a mess. She couldn’t stop thinking about him and their video chat that first night. They’d been texting on and off over the last two days and she hated to say it, but she looked forward to those snippets of conversation with him.

He was growing on her.

She bit back a snort, knowing that he’d accuse her of being a perv for saying that since his mind was constantly in the gutter.

But he was growing on her. Or rubbing off on her.

She snickered.

“What’s the grin for?” Ava asked, walking into the kitchen.

“Uh. Just excited to play with the puppy,” she said, focusing her attention back on the bag of snacks and supplies.

“I can’t wait to snuggle him.” Amelia grinned.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Ava asked.

Connor was already running for the door to the garage, and in no time, they were climbing into the SUV Max had gotten for Ava when she’d moved in.

“Hey, guys,” Riley said when they walked into the Strikers’ main office thirty minutes later.

“Where is he?” Connor asked.

“Connor, that wasn’t nice. What should you say instead?” Ava asked as Amelia bounced around at her side.

“Where is he, please?” Connor asked, tilting his head to the side.

Gabi bit back a smile and turned to Riley, who was also fighting a grin.

“Connor, you are supposed to say, ‘Hello, Riley,’” Amelia said.

“Hello, Riley. Can we see Chicklet?” Connor asked.

“Hello, Connor, and yes, let’s go. We can play with him in the team’s cardio room on the mats. I promised my dad that he wouldn’t pee on the floor, so fingers crossed,” Riley said, chuckling.

“Probably not the best promise to make,” Gabi said as they followed her down the hallway.

“Our puppy last year, Biscuit, loved to pee on the ice. My dad lost it every time. He also peed on Baz one time,” Riley said.

“No. On Uncle Max?” Amelia said, her eyes wide.

“Was he mad?” Connor asked.

Riley shook her head. “I don’t think your uncle gets mad at anything.”

“Except when he’s fighting on the ice,” Gabi said without thought.

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