Page 59 of Cross Checks

“I’d have to say it went great.”

“That’s awesome, buddy.” I gave him a sideways hug. “What did she say?”

Jensen chuckled softly and then imitated Beth’s voice. “Well, if you ever get bored with me, I’ve got a janky ex-boyfriend who would be dying to meet you.” He laughed. Next, she scolded me for not trusting her enough to tell her earlier.

“Sounds like Beth.” I grinned, happy to hear they were solid enough to weather Jensen’s airing of the skeletons in his closet. “You’re lucky to have her.”

“Fuck, yeah. I’m a nearly washed-up old hockey jock without any future job prospects. Somehow, I managed to scoop up the most awesome woman in town. Don’t think for a moment I’m not grateful.”

“Hey, Taylor!” Waller called out. He strolled over and playfully shoved Jensen out of the way. Waller was grinning from ear to ear, holding something behind his back. “The fellas and I got you a little something.”

“You act fast, just finding out and all.”

“Okay, yeah, well, maybe one of the guys had something in his locker.”

I laughed as Waller whipped out a tacky Hawaiian shirt, complete with palm trees and flamingoes on roller skates. I laughed hard as he held it out to me.

“Figured you’d need something appropriate to wear when meeting your new teammates. Maybe they’ll even let you play in it.” He winked at me.

“Man, I already knew some of you guys had terrible taste, but this is on another level. If one of you already had it in a locker, that means somebody bought it for themselves,” I teased. I sniffled a little as I stared at the garish fabric, and the reality of leaving my teammates continued to sink in.

Waller seemed to sense my thoughts, and his expression softened into something more serious. “We’re seriously gonna miss you, bud,” he said softly, “but we’re so proud of you. I’ve played alongside other NHL guys on their way up before, but you’re the first I can truly count as a friend. You’re gonna kill it down there.”

“Thanks.” My voice caught in my throat, and I had to blink back a few tears.

“C’mere,” he ordered and pulled me into a tight hug. I rubbed his back as we were both quiet, letting the weight of the moment settle. I remembered how often he’d slammed into me on the ice in a celebratory mood. No matter the distance, I knew our bond would never break.

“Enough of that,” Waller finally said, and he pulled away from me. “This mushy stuff always gets me misty. We should be celebrating instead of crying like little babies.”

As I approached the door, I looked around the locker room. I thought about the first time I walked in, nervous as hell. Coach Z wasn’t even there yet. I laughed when I remembered his arrival in the middle of Coach Hoss making us all dance in a conga line.

I laughed when I envisioned all of us decades in the future, beer-bellied and gray-haired, sitting on somebody’s porch and reliving the glory days. We’d be chattering about a new generation chasing their dreams on the foundation we’d laid for them in Cold Pines.

As I reached the car, my phone buzzed in my pocket and interrupted my nostalgic thoughts. As I pulled it out, I saw a text from Hank.

“Hey, how about meeting me at Lou’s to celebrate the day? Can’t wait to see you. xoxo.”

My heart leaped as I read his words. I could already feel the warmth of his hug and the sweet taste of his lips. Being with him would help all the anxiety about leaving fade away. We had so much ahead of us.

I typed a quick reply.

“Sounds perfect. See you there.”

I started my car and drove downtown, passing familiar streets in a blur. I wondered what it would be like to have future in-laws, as Jensen called them, nearby. They weren’t far here in Maine, but they rarely left Portland. Would we see more of them in Florida?

As I stared ahead at the snowy winter Maine landscape, I thought about palm trees lining the street instead. Would I miss the four seasons? I probably wouldn’t since I’d be traveling to play most of my away games in cities much further north. Maybe Hank would.

We might have to arrange a few wintry trips each year to keep everything in balance. Snuggling up in a ski chalet with my man sounded like a perfect getaway.

“Florida,” I whispered, trying the word on for size. “We’re on our way.”

The parking for blocks around Lou’s was packed. I had to circle around three times before finally finding parallel parking, which was a tight squeeze. As I walked up to Lou’s, I heard the noisy crowd inside.

I wondered whether we’d find somewhere similar in Florida to gather with my new teammates. It would be an entirely new world. Did NHL players have tightly-knit communities like I enjoyed with the Cougars?

When I entered Lou’s, the roar of the welcome nearly blew me back out the door. They had to know about my contract with the Panthers. Word could spread incredibly fast over the sports grapevines. I was trading one big cat in for another.

I scanned the room until I finally saw Hank holding court with his firehouse buddies. The world was a perfect place at that moment, and I smiled.

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