Page 126 of Bad Teammate
It was a perfect lazy Sunday afternoon: there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the birds chirped and trilled in the trees all around us. All our friends and family gathered in the backyard, stuffing themselves on burgers and hot dogs and bratwurst. A group of little ones chased a soccer ball through the lush green grass, hollering and laughing with glee.
It was our first time having everyone over. While Derek’s buddies surrounded him at the grill, I sat in the shade with my ladies—Emma, Austen, Eva, and all the other WAGs.I kept an arm around my belly, instinctively protecting it while we talked. At twenty-eight weeks, my belly was … well, let’s just say the days of throwing on a baggy shirt and ‘hiding’ my pregnancy were gone. Not that I was hiding anything from anyone—but you get the idea. My belly was prominent, and I was only growing more and more pregnant with every passing day.
And Derek and I weresoclose to finding out what we were going to welcome into the world.
“I’m so glad you girls could make it,” I said.
“Are you kidding?” Austen asked. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Yeah,” Emma said. “And I can’t even imagine how excited you must be. Because I feel likeI’mdying of anticipation.”
“Boy or girl—you got an inkling yet, Kat?” Austen asked.
I shrugged. “Some days, I’m certain it’s going to be a boy. Other days, I’ve got a funny feeling it’s a girl. Derek wants a boy to follow in his footsteps—”
“Of course,” Austen interjected.
“—but whenever we’re talking about the baby, healwayscalls it a ‘she’ without thinking about it.”
The girls laughed.
“Deep down, he knows,” Austen said.
“Either way, they’re so friggin’cutewhen they’re still little dumplings,” Emma said as she touched her hand to my belly, hoping to feel a kick. She sighed wistfully. “God, it’s been so long since I had Mackenzie.”
I snickered. “Admit it, Emma—you want another, don’t you?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “It’s so much work. And Mackenzie’s finally at the age where I can relax, you know? Seems crazy to go right back into it.” She shrugged. “I’ll just fend off the baby cravings by spending time with yours, Katerina. And oh, you better believe it—now that we’re neighbors, Auntie Em is gonna get alotof baby time once that thing pops out.”
Derek and I had just settled into our new house in Preston Hollow, only a few doors down from both the Hathaways and the DeHardts. We’d been wanting a bigger house for some time—a place we could start a family in someday. When the pregnancy test came back positive, we started shopping. Just a few weeks back, we sold the penthouse and bought this lovely house with this amazing, expansive backyard—just in time for today’s party. Derek calls it a “Triple Threat” party, because it’s a housewarming, a gender reveal, and a retirement party all wrapped up in one.
That’s right: retirement. Derek hung his skates after this past season—he went out on top, as a champion. It was the storybook ending he always dreamed of as a young boy. It wasn’t an easy decision, but at thirty-seven years old, Derek listened to what his body was trying to tell him: it was time to call it quits and move on to life’s next challenge.
Despite Derek’s retirement from pro hockey, we’re both still involved in the off-ice side of the business. The Devils hired Derek as a pro hockey scout, and I stayed on with the Devils as a part-time translator. No, Sasha no longer needs my services—he speaks fluent English now—but there are other Russian prospects at all other levels of the organization. I don’t do it for the money per se, rather the enjoyment of being able to mentor those young Russian kids and help them adapt to life in America.
As a passion project, I also teach piano to a select few dedicated students. Mackenzie is my youngest student by far—but don’t let that fool you! She takes her lessons quite seriously. I’m not sure how far she wants to take her playing career, but I’ll always be there to help take her as far as she wants to go.
And of course, I still play piano myself. I’m not competitive about it—or Itrynot to be. I won’t lie, some part of me might always be a little frustrated that my hands aren’t as quick as they used to be, or that I can’t pick up a piece and learn it as fast as I used to. But I just try toenjoyplaying, because it really does make my soul feel so much lighter. And I know how much Derek loves to sit and listen to me play.
So, as you can see, despite our “retirement,” we’re still quite busy. And with a baby on the way, I know we’re only going to get busier.
As for Derek and I? Well, we are even more madly in love than when we’d met. Things went so fast in the beginning, that’s true—but I’m happy to say our love has only grown, and we’ve only grown closer because of it.
Actually, I say things went fast in the beginning, but the truth is, things have never slowed down—in fact, everything seems to always be movingfaster. Our whole relationship seems to be one big happy blur.
Our life together has been so blessed—I’m so glad we found each other. Most of all, I’m so glad he fought for me. I can’t even imagine how differently my life would have gone if he hadn’t found the courage to show up at my hotel room that one night.
Sure, there’s hard times, too. Every marriage requires a lot of hard work, right? But at the end of the day, we always work through our problems and come out stronger.
I love that man. I love him more than anything. He really is the dream that I spent so long waiting for.
Suddenly, Derek’s voice boomed.
“Thanks, everybody, for coming,” he said, commanding everyone’s attention, and the party banter quieted. “Just wanna say a quick few words. Katerina and I are so happy you could join us today to see the new house and, more importantly, see what she’s been carrying around for the past six months.”
One of his ex-teammates added,“We’re here to celebrate your career, too, pal!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Derek said, waving his hand. “Nah, honestly, I had a great time playing with all you guys. I love you boys, and I’m gonna miss hanging out all the time—team dinners on the road, playin’ cards on the plane, goin’ out after a big win—but you know what? You guys are in good hands. You’ll be just fine without me. And hey, I’m ready for the next challenge in life. Which brings us to the main event—the gender reveal.” He pointed at the giant opaque white balloon that guarded an empty hockey net. “Who’s got my stick?”
