Page 89 of Hat Trick

“No catch. I’m waiting on approval from the league to add you as a non-uniformed player allowed on the bench in a coaching capacity.”

“Are you serious?”

“Dead serious, Mitchell. You took this team to back-to-back Stanley Cups. You should be out there with us chasing a three-peat, but life isn’t fucking fair. I’m doing what I can to balance the scales.”

“Wow. Okay. Yeah. I’m… that would be awesome. I’d be honored.”

“When I get the go-ahead from headquarters, you’ll have to follow the rules we do: suit and tie. Conducting yourself in a professional manner which means no chirping. That kind of thing.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, and he nods.

“Good. I’ll let you know what they say.”

“Thanks for thinking of me. If given the chance, I won’t let you down.” I stand and smile. “See you at the game tonight.”

He doesn’t say anything else and I slip out of his office, surprised when I find Maverick waiting in the hall.

“What are you still doing here, Cap? You should be resting up for tonight,” I say.

“Wanted to make sure everything was okay. Getting pulled into Coach’s office is fucking terrifying.”

“It usually is. He, um, invited me to be on the bench during games as a non-uniformed team official. I think I’m going to take him up on it.”

“What?” Maverick launches himself into my arms, and I laugh when we almost tumble over. “That’s fucking cool, man. Congratulations.”

“Beats standing in the tunnel with my hands in my pockets,” I say. “Not sure I’m worthy enough to stand behind you all, but we’ll see.”

“Nah. You’re worthy as hell.” He pulls away and clasps my shoulder. “It’s going to be a privilege to play with you again, Riley. The rest of the guys will feel the same.”

“It’s been a rough half a year. The worst days of my fucking life, honestly, but you all have been there with me every step of the way. Thanks for sticking around even when I didn’t want anything to do with you.”

“We’re brothers. Family.” He slings his arm around me, and we head for the locker room. He’s careful to slow his steps so I can keep up, and it makes me smile. “We’re always going to show up.”

I could get used to things going well. Used to feeling genuinelyhappy.

I can only hope it lasts a long fucking time.

TWENTY-SIX

LEXI

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN(DAMENTAL RIGHTS) AND GOOD SEX

Piper

I wish they made underwear for specific occasions.

Example: my dress is very tight and I don’t want to have any visible lines.

Me

It’s called going commando, Piper.

Maven

You walk around without underwear on a regular basis?

Madeline

---