Chapter 2
Chapter Two
DECLAN
“How are you feeling today?” Cash asks as I drop down into my seat next to him.
I stretch my legs out in front of me. “Fuck, I could sleep for a week. I’m exhausted.”
He shakes his head. “Whoever decided to have locker clean out a few days after the big win is a sadist.”
“And the day after the championship parade? I need an IV to recover at this point.”
It’s been nonstop since we won. Celebrating every minute of each day since. Getting to carry the Cup through the streets of Denver and seeing the fans’ excitement might have been the best moment since winning.
“Worse things in life,” Cash points out.
“And we still get to look forward to our rings coming.”
His smile grows. “Damn. Those are always fun to get.”
“Novelty hasn’t worn off yet?” I ask, grabbing my bag and starting to chuck everything from my locker into it.
Even though I’ve only been here since the trade deadline, my stall is a mess. I’ve managed to collect a mishmash of things since I got here.
I smile at the little frog that Alice gave me as a good luck charm before my first game I played here. I didn’t see much ice time then, but it picked up the closer we got to the playoffs.
Trash cans are spread out through the locker room. Music is blasting through the open space. The cup is sitting in a place of honor in the front of the room.
I can’t wait until I get my day with it.
Damn. It feels incredible to have won. I never thought I’d get to this point in my career, given I was playing for the Knights. We didn’t have the best coach. He didn’t seem to have much fire in him to win.
Playing for Colorado is a dream come true.
“Gentlemen.” Coach Barney calls everyone’s attention to him in the center of the locker room and the music shuts off.
“I know there are going to be a lot more celebrations going on, but I wanted to take a minute and tell you how proud I am of you. You played a hell of a series. No game is a given. You earned every goal out there on the ice. This team was resilient through the ups and downs, and we came out on top.”
Everyone starts clapping and cheering.
“I won’t keep you, but I just wanted to say thank you. You made me look good out there. Take care of yourselves this offseason and I’ll see you in a few months.”
Coach Barney starts going around to talk to each of the guys, and I go back to finishing sorting out what’s in my locker.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Cash starts, dropping an empty stick of deodorant in the trash bin behind him.
“Don’t hurt yourself.” Troy laughs from his other side.
Cash flips him off and looks to me. “I’m thinking we need to celebrate our win.”
That has me confused. “What have we been doing since? I thought those were damn good celebrations.”
This also earns me a finger and Troy and I both laugh at him before Coach comes over to us, interrupting our conversation.
“Gentlemen. I’m assuming you know how to handle yourselves this offseason?”
“Yes, Coach,” we all answer at the same time.
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder. “We were lucky to get you, Paddy. Couldn’t have managed this run without you.”
I’m beaming. I don’t care if the smile on my face takes up my whole head. “Thanks. I still can’t believe we won the Cup.”
“Enjoy it. These don’t come around often.”
I nod at him as he continues moving down the line of guys.
“See?” Cash pulls my attention back to him. “Coach says we should enjoy the win, which leads me to what I was saying earlier. We should head to Vegas to have one big celebration.”
Troy ponders the thought. “You know, I don’t hate that idea.”
“Wow, a ringing endorsement,” Cash deadpans. “Who said I invited you?”
Troy scoffs, “I’m inviting myself then.”
I laugh at the two of them. This is one of the reasons I loved getting traded here. The camaraderie is like nothing I’ve ever had. I had a close group of guys that I still miss in Nashville, but every member of the team has welcomed me here with open arms.
“I’m down to go.”
Cash smiles at me. “See? Paddy here is invited.”
“Fuck you.” Troy laughs at him. “My wife is besties with your girlfriend. Of course we’re coming.”
“Hey. Can I come?” Nick walks over to us, hands on his hips.
“I mean, the goalie gets an automatic invite,” Cash says. “All those saves you made to get us the Cup? Hell, I’ll pay for your ticket.”
A blush creeps up his neck. Something I’ve learned about Nick is he hates being in the spotlight. Even more so now because of his relationship with our GM.
“No need. Are the partners invited?” he asks.
“Yes. As if we could leave them at home,” Cash tells him before turning to me. “Want to bring Alice?”
“I’d love to. I’ll talk to her and see if her work schedule is clear.”
“Awesome. Let’s do it. Say, next weekend?” Cash asks, looking around.
“Works for me.”
Once I finish clearing out my locker, I have the rest of the afternoon free, and I know Alice is at the shop.
I’ll drop in and see if she wants to come.
Her schedule isn’t as flexible, but I know her boss.
Leon loves me. It’d only be two days off, and I want one last celebration with my best friend before it’s time to come back down from the stratosphere.
Besides, how can she say no to her best friend?