Page 34 of Check the Halls
When Maddy messaged me yesterday morning, Icould feel her panic coming through the phone. There had been a scheduling mix-up, and nearly twenty athletes who were supposed to attend the Santa Turkey Trot wouldn’t be able to make it. Knowing how important the event was to her, I volunteered to find replacements. My first targets were my teammates, and after some persuading, I managed to rally a dozen players willing to sacrifice their Saturday morning for a good cause. Next, I reached out to Julia, our team’s PR manager, who also handles media relations for the Ottawa Minks, our city’s new Professional Women’s Hockey League team. She put out the call and several of their players eagerly signed on to help, too.
But did I have to ask Austin?
I step between him and Foster. “Look, if we can get through this run without incident, I’ll buy you a book on Canadian Thanksgiving. A really nice one with lots of pictures. Please behave yourself.”
Austin’s smirk is immediate. “You don’t want us to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend?”
Fuck. I glare at Will who I assume is who told him. Given the fact that he’s suddenly very interested in stretching his calves, I’ve assumed correctly.
I draw in a slow, measured breath, forcing my shoulders to relax as I remind myself that I’m trying to be a better leader. A more composed, level-headed version of myself. The last time Austin pushed me this far, it ended with my knuckles becoming acquainted with his face. I can’t let that happen again.
Especially not at an event that’s so important to Maddy.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, I walk him out ofearshot of the rest of our teammates. He looks concerned at being separated from the others.
“Maddy’s not my girlfriend, but she is important to me. She’s new here and she really wants this event to go well. I want to help her make that happen and it would mean a lot to me if you could help me do just that. Please, Austin. Help me out?”
He blinks at me in surprise. “Yeah. Of course. I’ll help you,” he mumbles. He won’t meet my eye, but he gives me a hesitant pat on the back before walking away.
His reaction puzzles me. I’ve been going out of my way to be more patient with Austin lately, but the nicer I am to him, the weirder he reacts. Sometimes I feel like he’d rather me be surly to him.
As I’m rejoining my teammates, Maddy appears looking like an honest-to-God angel. If angels wore running tights and carried clipboards. Her red hair is pulled up in a high ponytail and it bobs up and down as she walks in my direction with a smile brighter than the sun shining down on us.
How have I managed to go ten years without that smile?
“Good morning,” she says, beaming at us.
“Hey.” I nod at her outfit. She’s paired black athletic tights that hug her shapely legs with a light blue running jacket that makes her eyes sparkle. “You’re looking like a runner. Are you sure you’re not in the race?”
“Positive,” she laughs before adding, sheepishly. “I just wanted to fit in.”
A guy in his early-twenties materializes at her side lugging a large bag behind him. I recognize him from thedonor’s lunch last week. He nervously glances around at the hockey players towering over him.
“Hey.” I give him a nod and a reassuring grin. “Ivan, right?
His eyes widen and his ears turn pink as he smiles back shyly. “Yeah.”
“Good to see you again.” My eyes drop to his chest. His t-shirt has a cartoon turkey wearing a Santa hat and a race bib. “I like your shirt.”
“You’re in luck,” Maddy grins as she reaches into the bag Ivan’s dropped on the pavement. When she straightens she has an identical t-shirt in one hand and a santa hat in the other.
“We get hats?!” Will collides with me like an overexcited puppy as he makes a beeline for Maddy, determined to be the first to grab a race shirt. Will loves Christmas more than any adult I’ve ever met. He might love it more than most kids, to be truthful.
Maddy’s eyes grow comically round as she holds up a red-and-white Santa hat to my 6’5” teammate.
“Thanks!” Will grins at her. “You’re Maddy, right? I’m Will Oliver. I’m from Nova Scotia, too! Cape Breton, born and raised. What part are you from? Thanks for inviting me! I love your hair!”
A giggle escapes Maddy, so surprised and delighted, and even though I have no right, I feel a twinge of jealousy that I wasn’t the cause.
“Hi, Will. Yes, I’m Maddy. I’m from Dartmouth, originally, but I’ve lived in Halifax for the last few years. Thank you for coming…and I’m glad you like my hair!”
Foster and Austin wander over and I quickly make introductions.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Foster tells Maddy as he accepts a t-shirt and hat from her. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” He stiffens and throws a panicked look in my direction. “Not from Ben. From Beth. She’s my…I’m her…we’re getting a dog. I’m going to go over there now.”
I pat my best friend on the shoulder as he walks by me. Then I reach behind my neck and pull the shirt I’m wearing over my head before starting to pull the next one on. “That’s Foster,” I tell Maddy once he’s out of earshot. “He’s kind of shy around new people.”
Maddy says nothing. I catch her checking out my shirtless torso before averting her eyes, her cheeks going red.
