Page 74 of Stick Play

“I’m not driving, so I’ll have wine.”

“Great.” We walk into the kitchen, and she pulls her phone out and shoots off a text. She waits for a second, before shoving her phone back into her pocket. I pour us each a glass of wine and I might need more than one to make it through the night.

Grant puts the ‘fake meat’ as he calls it on the pizza, slides it into the hot oven and sets a timer. “That does look amazing,” I tell him. “Crust was okay?”

“Crust was good,” he huffs out. “But I can’t guarantee the taste. Not with that low fat cheese and cardboard that’s trying to pass itself off as meat.”

I laugh at his antics. “I bet you’ll love it.”

“What do you want to bet?” he asks, mischief all over his face.

I fold my arms and eye the man who likes to matchmake. “What are you up to now, Grant?”

He whistles innocently, and I catch the curious way Callie is watching the both of us.

“Nothing,” he grouches.

“Forget it. I’m not betting.” I pull four plates from the cupboard and set the table. Callie sits, making herself comfortable as she once again does something on her phone.

“Callie, do you want to play a game with me?” Zoe asks.

“I’m not much into games.”

Zoe looks a bit sad. “I wish Ash was here. He always plays games with me.”

Callie perks up. “Oh, what games does he like?”

“He likes the pop one.”

“Why don’t you show me?”

I eye Grant as he watches her leave the room with Zoe. He leans in and whispers. “Looks like she’s got the hots for my son.” I can’t help but laugh at that. “Poor girl doesn’t know he’s totally into you, though.”

“Grant,” I warn and he holds his hands up.

“Just making an observation.”

I shake my head and set out napkins and pour a glass of milk for Zoe. “Beer?” He nods and I grab him one from the fridge.

Soon enough, the timer goes off and Grant pulls a delicious pizza from the oven. I call everyone to the table, and conversation is light and easy as we all eat. I ask Callie about her courses and career plans after graduation, only to learn, it’s her goal to marry an NHL player. Alrighty then.

Once dinner is done—Grant grumbled about the fake meat but he gobbed it up—we clean up and head to the living room. After a few more games with Zoe, I get her cleaned up and tucked into bed, and we all settle in to watch the Bucks play Florida.

Grant’s phone rings and he smiles from ear to ear as he talks to Ash before the game, something they always do. Callie watches on almost angrily and I tell her about their traditions, or maybe they’re superstitions. Many of the guys have superstitions.

Eventually the teams make their way on the ice, and we all lean in to watch the game. Whenever the camera zooms to Ash, Callie squeals a bit, and I work really hard not to. Noah gets our first goal just before the first period is over. Florida comes back to match it in the second, and I wince every time Ash takes or gives a hit.

During intermission, I lay out all our snacks and we dig in. While I’m not hungry, I continue to stress eat. Hockey is nerve wracking, especially when you know the players, and you’re sleeping with the defenseman.

As the third period nears the end, the teams tied, Jesse Campbell and Elias head down the ice together, working like a dream team as they pass the puck back and forth. Kalen is right there behind them. I’m on my feet when Florida’s defense come after them, but Jesse and Elias’s slick practiced moves prove too much. Jesse passes to Kalen, and he shoots, and scores. The light goes off and the guys all cheer, so do the three of us.

“I don’t know how much more I can take of this,” I blurt out, and wipe my brow with the back of my hand. With three minutes left on the clock, Florida pulls their goalie, and I hold my breath. Ash is killing it on defense, and as much as I want to look away, I keep my eyes glued to the countdown clock. It finally goes off. We all start cheering and jumping up and down and when the camera pans in on Ash and he grins, my heart races, because I think that secret smile is just for me.

“What a game,” Grant says, pride all over his face.

Callie hugs herself, or rather her jersey. “That was intense.” We all sit back down and stay put until the guys leave the ice, and once it’s over, we all clean up the dishes and put things away—this time, Callie helps.

“Thanks so much for letting me watch the game with you guys. It would have been boring being at Grandma’s alone.”

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