Chapter 23
Levi
NHL Draft Day
When the Ducks general manager steps to the microphone, my heart stutters, and a hush falls over the room. I hold my breath as I stare at the TV screen. Is he going to call my name?
“On behalf of the Anaheim Ducks, and all our great fans, we are proud to select from Arcadia University, Levi Nyberg.”
“Whoo Hoo!”
Cheers and applause erupt on TV as well as in the crowded living room of our rental house.
“I’m so proud of you!” Bailey says, throwing herself into my arms, we hug and kiss—keeping it PG-13—while my teammates, friends, and family exchange high-fives, do their own version of a happy dance, and Otto even blows on one of those New Years Eve party horns.
After Bailey and I break apart from the kiss, my agent Sonny comes over and slaps me on my back. “Congratulations, Levi!” he says. “We should have the inked Ducks contract, including the signing bonus, by tomorrow.”
When that hits my bank account, I’m buying Bailey a new car. She’s still driving Nana’s ancient Pacer, so I’m going to rectify that as soon as possible.
I opted not to travel to the draft site because Bailey and I still have a hundred and one things to do before we move to California, including getting married. Our announcement that we were going to elope to Las Vegas to get married was vetoed by my family, Nana, Aunt Margaret, Sydney, and even Josh. Let’s just say that the idea went over like a lead balloon.
Aunt Margaret readily volunteered to be our wedding planner and she’s been a Godsend. We’ve managed to keep the guest list below 100 even though we’ve included Coach, my agent, my Golden Stars teammates, Bailey’s roommates, and John and Johnny Heathrow who Bailey sat beside at my games.
So far, Bailey’s happy to let her aunt and cousin plan everything. They even figured out how to make flight arrangements such that Bailey’s ailing father can attend. According to Bailey, she found her dream dress, but they’ve all been tight lipped about it. As long as she loves it, I’ll love it. All I’ve got to do is rent the tux and show up.
“Hey, check it out, Otto’s trying to chat up Mia,” Bailey whispers, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she nudges me on the couch.
I turn to watch, already sensing the impending train wreck. My housemate and resident flirt is waving his hands around like he's conducting an invisible orchestra, probably in the middle of some story that only he finds hilarious. Meanwhile, Mia, Bailey’s roommate and ice queen extraordinaire, has her arms crossed and is giving him a look that could freeze lava.
But Otto is undeterred. He leans in closer, his head bobbing like a hyperactive pigeon. Mia’s scowl deepens, and just when it looks like he might actually succeed in breaking through her icy exterior, she jabs a finger in his face, mutters something probably unprintable, and marches off. Otto is left standing there, mouth agape, sporting a crestfallen look.
“That crashed and burned,” Bailey whispers.
I wince in sympathy, remembering my own bruised ego from Mia's frosty reception when I first met her. “I’ll go check on him,” I say, giving Bailey a quick peck on the cheek before heading off to rescue the downcast Casanova.
Coach catches me before I get two steps across the room. “Congratulations, Levi! Well deserved. Unfortunately, I’ve gotta get home before the missus roasts my buns about being late for dinner.”
I wince at the visual. “Thanks for everything, Coach.” We both blink back our emotions as we give each other a couple awkward back slaps, then shake hands. When he strides away it occurs to me I may never see him again. Despite this guy’s crusty exterior, he’s a good guy and an even better coach. I’m going to miss his grouchy pep talks.
My housemate is hiding out in the kitchen, hunched at the dining table, pretending to read his phone. I sit across from him, and he looks up. “What happened between you and Mia?”
He grimaces, then takes a sip from his ever-present Starbucks cup. “She didn’t like my suggestion that we go out to dinner sometime.”
All that hand waving and gesturing was about going to dinner? Otto needs to work on his communication and romance skills. When was the last time he went on a date?
“Where’d you invite her to go? An all-you-can-eat buffet?” I say with a chuckle. I can never see prim, stuck-up Mia going to one of those dining places.
He frowns. “I suggested bowling followed by pizza.”
I bark out a laugh. “Seriously, Otto. Does she look like a bowling kind of girl?”
“In retrospect, no,” Otto says in a defeated tone, his shoulders slumping.
My eyes scan the room until I spot Mia. She’s dressed in a stuffy-looking business suit, the neckline of her blouse resides just below her chin, and her heels look practical and sturdy. Everyone else at the party is wearing T-shirts and jeans.
Surprised that Otto has any interest in Bailey’s roommate, I say, “Bailey and I can play matchmaker, if you want us to.”
He shrugs. “No need, Mia doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“May I have a word?” a shrill female voice says. Nana takes a seat at the table, not waiting for an invite.
Otto leaps to his feet. “I’ll be over at the jumbo shrimp plate,” he says, then high tails it to the snack table.
Chuckling at Otto’s speedy escape, I turn my attention to Bailey’s grandmother. “What do we need to talk about?” I ask the older woman. “You know we decided not to elope, right?”
She gives me a stern look while uttering a tsk tsk sound. “Thank goodness you two came to your senses about that.” Folding her hands on the tabletop, she says, “I’m wondering what your intensions are regarding kids. You do want kids, right?”
A surprised laugh slips out. Nana isn’t shy about asking personal questions. “Bailey and I haven’t talked about that yet,” I admit.
“Well, you need to get on with it. I’m an old lady and I want to see some great grandkids before I kick the bucket.”
My mind spins, trying to formulate a politically correct, yet vague reply.
“What are you two talking about. It must be something serious!” Bailey says in a teasing tone. Relief flows through me. Saved by my fiancée!
I slide my chair out and she settles onto my lap. Forgetting all about Nana and her nosy question, I press a kiss to my fiancée’s lips. We kiss for a few beats, possibly straying from PG-13 territory.
Clearing her throat, Nana slowly rises from her chair. “Don’t forget what we talked about. I’ll be watching you,” she says, giving me the universal two-fingers pointing towards her eyes signal. With that parting shot, she toddles off.
“What was that all about?” Bailey asks.
I laugh. “How do you feel about kids?”
“Ah, so Nana gave you the I’m getting old and want great grandkids before I die speech?”
“She did!”
Patting me on my shoulder, Bailey says, “Don’t worry about it. She gives that speech to all her grandkids and their spouses. Just ask Josh.”
Unfazed by Nana’s pushiness, I trail kisses along my fiancée’s jawline and say, “I’m in, if you’re in.”
A breathless sigh floats from Bailey’s lips as I continue to pepper kisses across her cheek. “Me, too,” she says, angling my head so our lips meet. I guess we’re still talking about kids, but I’ll clarify that later. We lose track of time as she snuggles closer, kissing me back.
I love this woman with all my heart. Even though I wasn’t looking for love, love found me in the form of a sweet DoorDasher. No matter what the future brings for Bailey and me, it’s going to be a fun adventure.