Page 45 of Searching for Sadie
He watched her leave before he turned to glare at his mother, who was completely unphased by the scowl on his face.
"Well, I'm looking forward to chatting with her during your game," she said, grinning at him.
"Will you please make sure she behaves?" he said to his father, who just smiled at his wife.
"I'll do my best, but you know more than anyone, I have no control over her."
"Please, I'll be sweet as pie and talk up my baby boy."
"That's what I'm worried about," Lucas groaned. "Don't you have other children and grandchildren even to worry about."
"Of course, I do. But there's more than enough of my love to go around."
Later that nightLucas was in the dressing room of the high school locker room. The rec teams used their ice, he'd done this once a week for most of his life. But tonight, he found himself feeling just like he had in high school. With Sadie coming to his game and her sitting with his mother, he was more nervous than he'd been in years.
"Hey," Sam said as he set his big hockey bag down with a thunk. "I think Kate said Wes is going to be in the crowd tonight since their season is over."
Lucas just nodded and continued to put on his gear. He had a lot more on his mind than a professional hockey player in the audience tonight.
"Are you good?" Sam asked as he sat next to him and got his skates on.
"Yeah," Lucas said as he started to re-tape his stick.
There was a long silence, but he could feel Sam's eyes watching him. "What?" he asked gruffly without looking up.
"What's up with you?"
If Lucas could talk to anyone about this it was Sam, well Sam or Kate. Both of them were his best friends, but he wasn't sure what to say.
"So... Do you remember Sadie?"
"Isn't she your new neighbor? I met her a month or so ago at the carnival, right?"
"Yeah, we kind of have a thing going and she's coming tonight."
"Ahh, I get it. Nervous to play in front of her."
"No."
Sam looked at him with confusion written on his face. "What then?"
"She's sitting with my mother."
Sam's mouth fell open and his eyes danced with mischief before he doubled over in laughter.
"Thanks man, real helpful," Lucas said dryly as he got back to taping his stick.
There was a knock at the door. "Everyone decent?" asked a feminine voice.
"Yep," Lucas called back.
Kate McPhee turned the corner already in her goalie gear, her curly red hair pulled back in a neat braid.
"What's going on?" Kate asked, looking between them.
"The girl Lucas likes is here... sitting with his mom."
"Why am I friends with you assholes?" Lucas said as he stood up.
