Page 99 of Scoring Grey

I look up again, knowing I must wrap this up and catch sight of my girl. She had no idea what decision I had settled on untilthis moment, but her captive gaze gives me my parting words.

“Before I walk off this stage as your captain for the last time, if you remember anything from what I’ve said tonight, let it be this. Don’t be led by your fear. There will always be obstacles and setbacks threatening to derail us from that which we covet the most. Always remember the dream. Be led by your dreams.”

As I exit the stage and wind through the tables, I shake hands and fist-bump my teammates as Coach Beck takes the stage. When I reach the table, I’m grateful that I chose to tell Eloise the same way I told my teammates because now that someone else is on stage, she can’t grill me about my choice. I can tell by her expression that she has questions, and now that my decision is out there, I need a little more time to sit down and figure out how I’ll answer her. The fire I had inside me for the sport was never really mine. It was my mother’s. A dream she wrote about in her journal, but now it’s time for me to chase my own dreams. My hand instinctively reaches for hers as I reclaim my seat. She’s my dream.

A waiter reaches between us and places a black box on the table, and Eloise squeezes my hand. “Cal, can you believe this?”

When I showed up at the second to last game of the Stanley Cup to cheer on my team from the bench, I wasn’t expecting a standing ovation from the fans, nor was I expecting to find a patch on everyone’s sleeve dawning my number… thirteen. It was moving on so many fronts. I was there to support them and ensure their thoughts weren’t on me. In my time on the ice, I’ve seen my fair share of accidents I can’t shake, and after watching the replays from that night, I understand how what they witnessed could cause a block. It’s why I had to go. I had to show them I was okay, and while some might call it a fluke or sheer luck that on the night I returned, we won, however, on the second night, they had no choice but to eat their words. You don’t win the fucking Stanley Cup because of luck. You win because you’re the bestandtonight I get to sit in a ballroom with a group of guys who played their asses off and achieved a dream that most professional athletes never attain, the honor of being number one and getting a ring.

I lean over and kiss her cheek. “It feels surreal.”

The past few months have been a hell of a ride, my past, present, and future colliding in unfathomable ways. I didn’t think this was one of the stops that awaited me along the way, but here I am, waiting to open a box that few ever will.

“All right, now calm down. You all know what’s in that box, but before you openthem,I have a few words I want to say.” Coach Beck clears his throat and looks down at a paper on the podium. “I’m not going to need this,” he mutters, folding it and tucking it into his pocket. “We’re here tonight to honor this team and the accomplishments you all made this season on the ice. I will try not to get emotional, but I won’t make any promises. It was a privilege serving as your head coach. You guys gave up your time, your spouses, and your children… the sacrifices every player on this team made to show up and give it their all every damn day, even when leaving the people we love the most behind is hard, immeasurable. I’m honored that you put your faith and trust in me, but more so that all of you put it in each other. I couldn’t be prouder.” He pulls a box identical to ours out of his pocket and holds it up. “Without further ado, gentlemen, open your boxes.”

“Oh my God.” She drops my hand and covers her mouth. “I hope you’re not expecting your wedding ring to look like that.”

That makes me laugh. “These are supposed to be gaudy and ostentatious.” I pull the hunk of gold and diamonds out of the box and slip it on my pinky finger.

“The build-up to this reveal now has me anxious to show it to you.”

“Well, you only have to wait two more days,” I say as I lean over and kiss her cheek.

In three days, I get to marry my girl, the girl who was always meant to be mine, and I couldn’t be happier about it. When she told me she wanted a big wedding, I assumed I’d have to wait longer to give her my last name, especially since Dash is still missing. Not only is he a good friend, but he’s a brother. I expected she’d demand that he be present. However, she was just as eager to make my name hers as I was. Ada has also spared no expense, seeing that Eloise gets everything she wants.

“Retirement.” Roe comes up behind me and squeezes my shoulders. “What the hell, man? No warning.”

I stand up and give him a pound hug.

“Just because I’m not on the ice doesn’t mean I won’t be around. I plan on being a season ticket holder, and I was going to tap your shoulder for a few of those projects you’ve been working on.”

Roe grew up in a low-income household. His family couldn’t afford the equipment or league fees for him to play growing up. Every season, his family puts together multiple fundraisers to help raise money for him and players like him to play. I want to use my mother’s money to help fund programs like the one he’s started. Back when I started Project Hope, I didn’t have deep pockets. Tipper Bronson stumbling upon my charity helped it grow. I want to help Roe do the same.

“I appreciate that, man, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to see you go. Defending your ass in the locker room is practically my entire personality,” he rags.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to use the ladies’ room,” Eloise excuses herself.

Roe’s eyes follow her as she walks away. “People are going to think you quit because of her.”

I shrug. “I don’t care what people think, and so what if they do? She’s a catch.”

Austin approaches from behind Roe and extends his hand. “We’re not friends,” he states sharply, and I shake his hand with a bemused expression that mirrors Roe’s. “But I don’t like that you’re leaving. As much as you’ve been a pain in my ass, it’s pushed me to be better.”

“See, there it is.” Roe grabs his shoulders. “This is the side of Austin the rest of us got to see. Douche, but bearable.” We all laughandthen Roe asks, “Where’s Blair?”

Austin’s eyes flash to mine. Roe’s question is innocent enough. Everyone knows they’re together, but it didn’t go unnoticed that she disappeared after the accident. Not only did she dip out on her man but her responsibilities to the team. However, Austin and I know why Blair isn’t here. She’s back home, lying low. My dad might be behind bars, but Keely is still MIA. The day the Feds took him down, we were pretty positive we caught her on footage in the background. She knew what hotel he was at, which meant she was staking it out. Knowing everything I do now, I’m sure her intentions were nefarious, and I’m glad we got to him first. Death would be too easy of a fate for him. However, the fact that she hasn’t come out of hiding yet makes me question if we’ve overlooked something. I suspect she’ll lie low until after his murder trial, considering she was one of my mother’s nurses.

“Her passport expired,” Austin lies. “I’m heading to the States to stay with her for a few weeks after I leave here.”

I spot Eloise talking to Coach Beck across the room and excuse myself. “I’ll catch up with you guys,” I say, not waiting for a response.

No sooner I’m less than five feet away than he walks off. I throw my arms wide. I wanted to talk to him.

“He said he had to use the restroom,” Eloise says as I close the distance between us. “Why didn’t you tell me you were giving up hockey?”

We’ve talked about a lot of things over the past month. I told her why I started playing. My grandfather was an NHL franchise owner. My mother grew up around hockey, and when she dreamed about having a boy, she dreamed of one who played hockey. It was a legacy I wanted to carry, but I no longer believe playing the sport brings me closer to her. Living my best life with my family by my side is all she ever wanted for me, and I don’t want my family to sacrifice.

“Probably for the same reason you haven’t told me you’re pregnant.”

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