Page 148 of Unmasking Love
This one has Melvin's face on it and he's howling at the moon that is actually a hockey puck.
I chuckle as I slide it over my under armour.
"Boys, boys, listen up." Coach Bradford calls out above the noise. "Good win. The game puck goes to Bober who scored our first goal of the game and got the momentum swinging in our favor." He tosses the puck at Bryson and we all clap. "I'm going to hand it over to Vlad for tonight's Melvin recipient."
"This one goes to Bingo,” Vlad says, fitting Melvin on top of Crosby’s head. “For giving everything on every shift and snagging an apple on all three goals tonight. We get a couple extra days off because of you!"
The room erupts in laughter and claps.
"Correction!" Coach Bradford yells, we immediately silence ourselves. "A couple extra days before your next game, no days off during the playoffs. Wheels up in two."
"Notake a momentto enjoy this winorI'm proud of you boyshuh?" Gavin says to me as he continues to take off his gear.
"You really think Coach Bradford has it in him?"
Gavin smiles, "He does, he's just been stung bad by late series losses. We're all still carrying around the disappointment of last year."
"I guess that's a bonus for switching teams so often, I don't carry that collective memory."
He nods in understanding. "I'm glad to have someone to share the load with this year. This time of year is a grind but knowing you're here, not as a backup but as a partner is making it easier."
I nod as my throat burns.
Have I really done it?
Have I found a team to be a part of?
Who wants me to be a part of it?
Who is ready to rely on me consistently?
Sixteen year old me who had this game ripped from his ice burned fingers is flossing like a little dweeb in my head.
But, yeah buddy, we did it.
***
"Hey babe," I smile when Harper picks up the call. I'm on the bus and Bryson slams down into the seat next to me watching a replay of the USWNT game from earlier today.
"Hi! Congrats Aiden, I'm so excited for you!"
"Thanks, did you watch with the girls tonight?"
"No, Tilly had a little fever so Danielle stayed home and Caroline said she was still hungover from the last game so I watched from home and texted them."
Home.
My sofa in her living room. Her throw pillows in the corners. My blender next to her mixer on the counter in the kitchen.
Our home.
"I can't wait to get to you." I tell her and her smile has me checking the bus to see how many guys are still in the locker room.
"I don't know if I can stay up another three hours." She says with a yawn.
"Get into bed and take a nap while you wait for me."
"Okay, love you." She says around another yawn.
