Page 115 of Slap Shot Daddies

The bird handlers, dressed in matching uniforms and stationed near the edge of the rink, call out desperately, their voices rising above the cacophony. But the macaw pays them no heed, its vibrant feathers catching the light as it continues its mad flight.

But Kenzie’s voice pierces through the chaos from the stands.

“Here, buddy!” she calls, her tone clear and commanding amidst the turmoil.

The macaw halts mid-flight, its wings momentarily suspended in the air. Then, as if drawn by an invisible thread, it ascends gracefully towards her.

It alights gently on her shoulder, its claws curling gently against the fabric of her sweater.

The crowd erupts into cheers, a wave of sound crashing against the walls of the arena. Cameras flash, capturing the moment in bursts of light.

Under the dazzling arena lights, I watch Kenzie, her face radiant with amusement, her hands resting on her belly as she laughs, the macaw perched calmly beside her.

And that’s when I notice it. A gap in the defense, a fleeting chance.

I react instinctively, my muscles coiling as I drive the puck forward with a powerful slap, the blade of my stick slicing through the ice with precision. The puck glides, a black blur on white, cutting a path straight to the goal.

The goalie dives, his body a flurry of motion in a desperate attempt to block the shot. But it’s too late. The puck slips past him, hitting the back of the net.

The buzzer blares, announcing victory. 6-5.

Our team erupts in a frenzy of celebration, gloves and sticks soaring into the air like confetti. We scream, our voices hoarse with triumph.

And up in the stands, Kenzie is cheering, her laughter ringing out as she holds the bird, her joy as palpable as ours. The bird copies the cheering of the crowd and flaps its wings hard, making Kenzie laugh.

It’s as if she scored the winning goal herself.

And honestly? She kind of did.

Kenzie is still buzzing from the game, her laughter echoing in the crisp night air as we guide her outside. Her cheeks are a rosy pink, and her eyes sparkle with the kind of happiness that only a championship victory can bring.

As she glances at each of us, there's a playful suspicion dancing in her eyes.

“You’re acting weird,” she teases, lips quirking into a curious smile.

Reggie, flashing a mischievous grin, gently nudges her toward the car parked beneath the streetlight's soft glow. “Just get in,lass,” he urges, winking.

She lets out an exaggerated sigh but doesn’t protest, sliding into the passenger seat. I settle in beside her, the leather seats slightly cool against the night air.

Ambrose takes the wheel, while Reggie claims his spot in the front, the familiar scent of his aftershave mingling with the car's interior smells.

“Where are we going?” Kenzie asks, her brows knitting together in confusion, yet her face remains radiant from the adrenaline of our win.

Silence answers her question, thick with an anticipation that hums through the vehicle. She peers out the window, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows across her puzzled expression.

As we roll into the parking lot of Feather & Fur Veterinary Clinic, her bewilderment grows. Her gaze lingers on a large construction sign anchored firmly in the ground, bold letters spelling out the name of a renowned renovation company.

Her head turns slowly, eyes wide, lips parting as she processes the scene. “What is this?” she breathes, her voice a mix of wonder and disbelief.

Ambrose shifts the car into park, then turns to face her, resting an arm casually over the back of the seat. “We know you’ve been stressing about this place,” he says, his voice gentle and reassuring. “So, we’re helping.”

Kenzie blinks rapidly, her hands trembling as emotion swells within her. “You, you’re fixing the clinic?” Her voice cracks with a blend of hope and astonishment.

Reggie nods enthusiastically. “With a proper surgical suite, modernized kennels, the works. And a nursery, for when the wee ones come,” he adds, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

Her face crumples as tears well up, her breath catching in her throat. Suddenly, she bursts into tears, sobbing, actually, reaching out to clutch each of us in a tight embrace.

“You guys are amazing,” she manages to say between sobs. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

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