Chapter Twenty-Three
Aiden
Nobody would ever describe a funeral as a fun time. At least not a classic Catholic funeral ceremony anyway. We cut a lot of the religious text because Pops was never really a churchgoer, the only reason we are having it in a church to begin with is because he wanted to be buried next to his Lulu.
I’ve been to my share of funerals but until today I haven’t had people there just for me. Funerals are for closure for the living more than for the dead so having people there to support me while I grasp for that closure means more than I’d ever have thought.
The last funeral I attended was my grandma’s and I didn’t have any friends there; the people I had at college were too busy with their new graduated lives and everyone else from my hockey team had moved on to bigger and better things.
I didn’t blame them for not coming, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t suck.
I rely on my teammates and friends more than they know.
When Lyndsey told me the Spears were coming to Texas, I thought some of them would back out before the day, that they would make some excuse and only Liam and Coach Mitch would make it. I was very wrong.
They all stream in wearing their best suits.
They look like a shitty impersonation of the Mafia, and the image has got my first smile of the day.
One by one they come to give me their condolences, some even pulling me into hugs.
Next to me Lyndsey is hugged and checked on and at that moment I don’t know why I doubted them.
Each one of these men have some of the biggest hearts, I have just been too scared to admit that it would matter to me that they were here.
“Anders, I’m sorry. Edge said that’s all I’m allowed to say so I don’t fuck up.” Rook hugs me without hesitation, whispering that last bit just to me. Make that the second smile of the day. Edge is behind Rook and glares at him, knowing that the kid would never just do what he is told.
“You good?” Jay ‘Edge’ Brink is a man of few words but I can see in his eyes if I told him I needed something he would make it happen, even if it meant helping me run away from my grief.
“I will be,” I say as Lyndsey slides under my arm, smiling up at him.
“How’s our god-daughter?” she asks him.
“I’ve turned her against you,” he deadpans.
“I’m sure you’ve tried. I’m also sure you failed.
” She winks. Ignoring that, he pulls her to him and kisses the crown of her head lightly.
If it were anyone else jealousy would strike through me.
Fake or not, she is my wife after all. But with him, it doesn’t.
We all know he doesn’t have eyes for Lyndsey.
His eyes are busy elsewhere – it’s hard to not notice.
Speak of the devil, Cassie comes up behind him, hugging Lyndsey first before coming for me.
“Need anything from me?” she asks, straight to the point. She and Edge are the straightest shooters I know. It’s probably a good thing they have never dated, they might kill each other.
“I’m good, Cas. Thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” She moves along the line hugging my sisters too. She and Alice talk for a little while which is strange, they seem to know each other, but then I’m sure Cassie could pull anyone to reveal their secrets with only a few minutes.
The Seattle Spears have been there for a lot of highs.
Our wins, relationships, weddings – but from memory this is our first funeral.
God, I’m thankful for them. I didn’t realise until I watched each person I work with step up to support me and my sisters.
Pops might have been the last member of my family except my sisters, but even with the loss, my family is so much bigger than I realised.