Page 18 of Rafferty

“Mom,” I say soothingly. “I told you I can get that stuff down from the attic. I’ll handle it.”

“It’s a lot,” my mom says, her eyes moving to Rafferty. “I don’t like the idea of her trying to carry everything down by herself. It’s an artificial tree and a few boxes of lights and ornaments. We usually do it together with Cooper’s help, but…” She gestures to her broken body. “I can’t this year.”

“No worries,” Rafferty says with a wave of his hand, sparing me a short glance. “We’ll get it all down for you and we’ll even set up the tree so all you have to do is decorate.”

I don’t think to argue, because I can tell he’s already added this to his list of helpful to-dos, and besides… I won’t have to risk breaking my neck trying to get our Christmas décor down the attic ladder.

Quick plans are confirmed and I’m shuffled off with Atlas, King and Foster, the three hockey players who are just meeting me for the first time. It doesn’t take all three to install the rails and only Atlas can fit in the bathroom, but while he works, we all chat and get to know one another. I hear laughter from the living room, mostly from my mom, so I know she’s being charmed by Rafferty and North. It’s not long before I hear them upstairs, the attic flooring creaking and a lot of cursing as they try to maneuver everything down the narrow ladder.

When everything is done—the rails installed, the tree set up in the corner with the ornament boxes stacked neatly—we all sit down in the newly rearranged living room, which was done so well, they were able to move the love seat back in from Cooper’s room.

There’s an easy banter among everyone and Rafferty’s friends dutifully ask me questions to have genuine things for us to talk about at the wedding. In turn, I nosily ask all kinds of questions of them, and I’m promised that I’ll adore Foster’s and King’s girlfriends, Mazzy and Willa, who will also be in attendance. The entire time, Rafferty is quiet but clearly enjoying watching the conversation unfold. I catch his eyes a few times, and I swear, I get a little giddy when it happens.

It’s North who checks his watch, claiming he has to get going.

“I can’t thank you all enough for what you’ve done today,” my mom says, her emotion evident. “It’s more than I could have asked for.”

“It was our pleasure, Natalie,” King says, and the others nod in agreement, their faces authentically happy at being able to help.

“We should be heading out,” Rafferty says as he stands from the love seat. “But we’ll be around if you need anything else,” he adds, and to my surprise, moves to my mom for a hug.

She returns it from her recliner, patting him on the shoulder. “You take good care of my girl.”

“The best,” he promises.

More flutters in my belly.

I walk the guys to the door, feeling a mix of relief and regret at their departure. The air is crisp as we step onto the porch, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. I stand beside Rafferty on the top step, his friends waiting on the lawn for us to say our goodbyes.

“Thank you so much for the help. That was very kind. Especially putting up the tree. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to get it down.”

“That was nothing,” he assures me. “The guys really like you, by the way.”

I tilt my head with a smirk. “How can you be sure?”

“Trust me, I know.” He chuckles, his eyes roaming my face. “What’s not to like?”

The sound of a school bus braking sharply at the end of our driveway cuts through the quiet and our heads turn that way. Cooper hops off, his backpack slung carelessly over one shoulder. He immediately locks onto the group of large men in our yard and his steps falter, eyes wide as he takes in the scene.

He’s a Titans fan so I know he recognizes all of them.

His mouth falls open and I look at the bus as it pulls away, faces pressed to the windows all staring agog.

“Hey, bud,” I say, quickly descending the steps to his side. I drape an arm around his shoulders and give him a reassuring squeeze. “These are my new friends.”

Cooper’s mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air, clearly starstruck by his hockey heroes standing in our front yard. Rafferty steps down from the porch, his approach gentle and friendly.

“Hey there, Cooper. I’m Rafferty,” he says, extending his hand. “Your sister has been telling us a lot about you. Huge fan, right?”

Cooper nods mutely, finally managing a small “Hi.”

The other guys come over, introducing themselves with smiles and friendly pats on the back, making sure Cooper feels included. His initial shock slowly transforms into a grin as he realizes these are actually Titans players here at his house.

“This is the best day ever,” he exclaims. “I’m going to call Danny and tell him to get over here.”

Cooper starts to pull away, but I grab him by the collar. “Not so fast, buddy. They have to leave.”

His expression falls but Rafferty puts a hand on his shoulder. “Hey Cooper, we’ve got a game tomorrow night against the New York Phantoms. How would you, your friend Danny and your sister like to come watch?”

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