Page 84 of The Sweetest Chirp

Your voice is so clear,she signs and then reaches up to wipe away one of my tears, and once more, a sob breaks from me.Why are you crying?

“Because I’m so happy,” I tell her as I sign in case she doesn’t truly understand the words.

Me too,she signs, grinning at her daddy.I’m so pretty!

You are,he signs back, and when she looks at me, I nod. My eyes track back to Thatcher’s to find him watching me. His eyes are wet, and the biggest, most beautiful grin sits on his face.

I ran from this man. But from now on, I’ll only run to him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Only four days and I’ll be home.

First, though, I’ve got to help my team beat the Blackhawks.

We’ve won four out of six games, and while that’s pretty successful, I want to win the next two to beultrasuccessful. Ilean one hand on the board, the other holding my stick as I sit between my line mates. I look out at the ice, watching as Litman passes the puck up to Adler, who waits at the blue line. He carries the puck in, passing it across to Miklas, who shoots but goes wide. Our forwards fight hard and get a few shots on goal, but then the Blackhawks are coming for our zone.

Telly and I jump over the boards along with our right winger Bellerdome, who is our rookie this year. He’s a good kid, fast as hell, and extremely talented. He has to be to be on the second line with us. Bellerdome crosses the ice on attack like his skates are on fire, trying to block off a shot. He does it like a pro, but he wipes out, going into the boards. Telly is backing him up, fighting with two Blackhawk forwards who keep poking Bellerdome with their sticks since the puck is under him.

I always think it’s so funny when they do that. Bellerdome goes from a successful rookie to a piñata.

The ref blows the whistle, and we line up for a face-off. When the center for the Blackhawks lines up with me, Lasson is breathing as hard as I am. I used to play juniors with him, and I know he’s a smug bastard, prideful. So, of course, I have to fuck with him.

“You’ve been in the league for as long as me, and you’re still fourth line?”

“Fuck you, Orlov.”

“Hey, don’t get mad at me. You used to be good. Now you’re trash.”

“Oh yeah? I’ll show you trash when I knock those fucking teeth out of your mouth,” he threatens, leaning into me, but I push him back with ease.

“That’s all you can do, huh? Being fourth line and all.” I channel a caveman voice and tease, “Me hockey player, me fight, rawr, rawr, rawr.” When his nostrils flare, I know I’ve won. The ref blows the whistle, but Lasson is so worried about me, I winthe puck easily. I send it to Bellerdome, who is waiting for it, and when the puck hits his blade, he’s on a glorious breakaway.

He scores.

I get punched in the head.

Man, I love hockey.

Me: We’re leaving for the airport. I’ll call you in a bit.

Audrina: Okay. Arwen passed out, so I’ll need you to call in the morning so she’s not as sad.

Arwen has been struggling greatlywith me being gone. I’m usually able to talk to her before she goes to bed, but on game nights, it’s been harder. I’m thankful for my family. They’ve been a damn godsend for Arwen. They distract her and try to keep her spirits up. Audrina is thinking of getting a PT job, has been putting out feelers with some old contacts. I told her she didn’t need to work, not only because I’m selfish and I want her to be home when I am, but also, because there have been a lot of changes. I want Arwen to feel safe and secure. Not that our parents don’t make sure of that, but I worry. My girls have such a strong, beautiful relationship, and honestly, Audrina worked her ass off when it was just the two of them. When I told her that I’d like her to stay home with Arwen, because I knew that’s what she would prefer to do, Audrina told me she’d think about it. But I know her; she gets bored and has worked her whole life.

Whatever she wants, I’ll support.

As long as she’s all mine.

I’m tucking my phone into my pocket before getting on the bus when it rings. I bring in my brows since I told Audrina I’d call her once I got to the airport. When I see it’s Ingrid, I bring my brows in even farther before sitting down beside Telly. I answer and hold out my phone so Ingrid can see me. Her face is bright, mouth turned up in a wide grin as she signs and says, “Hey, I think, for Christmas, we should go to Disney World.”

I give her a dry look and attempt to move away from Telly, but he keeps trying to see my screen. Jackass. “I only have five days off, and we’ll be practicing two of those. I can’t miss any more.”

She pulls a face. “Fine. Can we go after you win the Cup?”

“Duh, that’s the first thing we’ll do,” I scoff, nodding.

She beams at that. “Cool. Great game, love you.”

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