Page 140 of Suck My Puck

“I don’t think we can fit more in here, guys,” Del says.

A few more people squeeze in anyway before the doors slide closed and we glide up to the tenth floor, where the pediatric ward is.

Every year, the Bashers visit the patients on the pediatric floor of University Hospital. We hold a big fundraiser to raise money for the hospital every year too, which is cool, but I honestly like doing this more. It’s nice to visit the kids and take their minds off of the medical issues they’re dealing with.

I’m in the elevator with Del, Theo, Xander, and a few other guys from the team.

Del grumbles about how crowded the elevator is.

“Dude, you are right up against my ass,” Xander says to Del before chuckling. “At least buy me a drink first.”

We al burst out laughing. Del rolls his eyes.

“Come on, it’s not that bad,” I say to him.

He turns to me. “You’re in a good mood. Still riding the high from your latest shutout?”

I chuckle. “You could say that.”

We’ve been on a winning streak for the past three games, and I managed another shutout at our most recent home game in Denver.

I think about how Bella was there at all of those games, wearing my jersey, cheering me on.

I grin wider. I can’t help it. Just thinking about her puts me in the best mood. I’m kicking ass in the netandI have my dream girl.

“Do you think we brought enough jerseys?” Theo asks, looking around. We’re all carrying a few Bashers jerseys each to give to the kids.

I nod. “Alanna brought a bunch of extra ones just in case we run out.”

“Ingrid has some too,” Del says. She came along to film for social media content.

The elevator halts at our floor and we walk out. We break off into groups of three or four and head down the hallway. Theo, Del, Xander, and I stop by a room to the left and knock on the open door.

“Is it okay if we come say hi?” Xander asks with a smile.

“Yeah!” a small voice answers.

We walk in and see a boy who looks like he’s around seven years old, smiling wide as we walk in. His entire left leg and left arm are in casts.

“Let me guess: hockey fight?”Xander jokes.

The boy laughs. So does the woman sitting next to his bed, who I assume is his mom.

“What’s your name, dude?” Xander asks.

“Connor.”

“And this lovely lady is your older sister, I’m guessing?” Xander says. The woman blushes and smiles.

Del rolls his eyes and I chuckle. Xander always makes that comment to the moms.

Connor laughs. “No, that’s my mom.”

She smiles at us. “I’m Heidi. Thanks so much for stopping by. Connor’s been so excited about this. It’s all he’s been talking about this whole week.”

We move to shake their hands. We introduce ourselves.

The kid laughs. “I know who you guys are.” He turns to Xander. “You’re my favorite player.”

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