Page 46 of Unmasking Love
“I’m good, Cody, how are you doing?”
“Good, good. The season is off to a decent start. How do you like D.C.? I hear their locker room is goofy.” He laughs.
I smile a little, “Yeah, but it’s a good group.”
“Classic Aiden, as few words as possible.” He jokes and starts to skate backwards towards their tunnel. “Good game tonight, we’ll see you later in the season.”
“Yeah, take care.”
I head down our tunnel towards the visitors locker room. It felt odd to be back in the Danger arena but it’s a feeling I should be used to. I’ve been a member of so many different teams it hardly registers what games are away and which are home.
I mean, it does, but when it comes to playing it doesn’t phase me. When my skates hit the ice I have one focus. Stopping the puck.
“Young Gun! Where should we go out tonight?” Duncan asks as I sit down at my spot.
“We’re flying home tonight,” I remind him as I start to take off my pads.
“I know, wheels up in an hour, but I meant when we get home.”
“You want to go out once we get back to D.C.?”
“Yeah man, it’ll only be like 1am.” Emmett adds.
“Nah, count me out.”
“Fine, but we’re going to get you out with us sometime soon.”
“Okay,” I laugh. I doubt it.
I finish undressing and grab a shower. After I pull my suit back on I text Harper. Talking with her every day for the last week has been amazing. Plus, she’s been watching our games at night so I haven’t had to worry about sad movies bringing her down when I’m in game mode.
When I unlock my phone, a message is waiting for me.
HARPER:
AIDEN! Great game! That was so exciting to watch! You’re so good! I couldn’t believe that one got past you in the second inning but some of your saves were amazing. I was yelling at the TV! Did you hear me?
I laugh and smile at her message. I’ll have to teach her some of the terms because “inning” is the wrong sport but I appreciate her enthusiasm. I give the message a thumbs up reaction, see the trainer for a quick massage, and shower up. With my suit on a little while later, I grab my backpack and head towards the team bus that will take us to the airport.
I slide into a seat at the front and pop in my headphones.
Thanks for watching Harper. I could feel your support through the airwaves. It was a good game and I wish I could get that goal in the second period back but it felt good to stop the other eighteen shots.
How was your day?
It was good, kind of quiet.
What are you going to do in NYC tonight?
Nothing
We’re flying back tonight.
Oh, got it.
Then tomorrow we have a team meeting in the morning and kids are coming by from the children’s hospital for trick or treating in the locker room. Then getting ready for the game tomorrow night. It’ll be a long day, especially coming off the road.
Sounds like it.
