Page 86 of Defensive Zone

“Yep. Great goal. Just wanted to check on you up here,” Gabi said.

“Are my parents coming up here with the twins?” she asked.

“I think they want to stay close to the glass a little longer, but they’ll be up here eventually,” she said. “Want me to get you anything?”

Ava laughed. “No, I’m good. I swear everyone brings me whatever I want before I can even ask for it.”

Sophia grinned. “This suite is stocked and you have your hands full.”

“You guys are amazing,” Ava said.

“We’re a family,” Sophia said matter-of-factly. “Speaking of, you’re coming to the Easter egg hunt next weekend at Penny and Ethan’s, right? I think Max said you were all coming.”

“Yes, we’ll be there,” Ava said.

“Perfect. It’s a kid hunt and an adult hunt,” Penny said.

“Wait. What’s an adult hunt?” Gabi asked.

“We’re hunting for eggs with mini alcohol bottles inside,” Amanda said. “It was my idea.”

“That sounds like fun,” Ava said.

“Ooh, and we’ll have chocolate in some, too,” Penny said.

“The kids will have their own, non-alcoholic, egg hunt,” Penny said. “We don’t have too many Striker kids, but we wanted an excuse to get together.”

Amanda laughed. “Please, we get together all the time.”

“We’ll even have an Easter Bunny to take pictures with the kids,” Penny said.

“I hope it’s a cute bunny. I think I’m still traumatized from the bunny at the mall when I was a kid,” Gabi said.

“It’s Baz,” Riley said, and Gabi swore there was humor in her eyes when she looked at Gabi.

“Of course it is,” Ava said. “He always plays Santa for the kids at Christmas.”

“That’s sweet,” Penny said. “Baz dresses up for every holiday when they go to the hospital. He’ll be the bunny when they go to Children’s later this week.”

“What?” Gabi asked.

“The guys go to the children’s hospital for every holiday, and sometimes just because, to see the kids, give gifts, and hopefully make them smile,” Riley said.

Gabi tried not to melt, but dammit, that was so freaking sweet. It made sense since he doted on the kids and always wanted to make them laugh.

“Oh my god, remember one year he was Elsa during the holidays?” Penny asked.

“We tried to get him to be Sven, the reindeer, but he put on that long-braided wig and dress and strutted down the halls. Maggie sent us the best pictures,” Amanda said. “The man is a goofball, but he cares about kids.”

“He would do anything for kids and for family,” Ava said, almost wistfully. Gabi reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

“He really is a great guy,” Penny said.

Ava laughed softly. “You don’t have to tell me that.”

“Hopefully, he’ll be protected and we’ll get to keep him here,” Amanda said.

“What?” Gabi asked.

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