Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
LYDIA
“Is it weird to be back in Boston?” Delaney asks.
Our bus snakes through the afternoon traffic as we depart from the hotel. She’s sitting across the aisle from me. With a tablet in hand, it looks like we’re reviewing film for the game this afternoon.
A completely innocent thing for a coach and player to be doing. With a game coming up, it’s easy for us to be going over the upcoming match.
I watch the city out the window, looking at all the familiar sights. Red brick buildings. Little pubs on the corner. People bundled up on this winter day.
“You know, it’s weird. It’s familiar and different at the same time. Like the city has moved on without me.”
“Does it still feel like home?”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t. Even though I’ve only been in Toronto a few months, it feels more like home than Boston ever did.”
“I wonder why.”
Turning to look at her, there’s a soft smile there.
She knows why.
It’s because of her. While I wish I could have heard from my dad, it’s not the end of the world today.
Because the little family that I have created with Parker, Skylar, Biscuit, and her makes Toronto feel like home. Getting traded is stressful for any player. But it hasn’t been as hard as I thought. To top it off, my play has only gotten better since getting there which is the cherry on top.
“We’re almost there,” a voice shouts from the front of the bus.
“That’s my cue.” Delaney winks at me, dropping her tablet into her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
Delaney walks to the front of the bus as we pull into the parking lot of the familiar rink. A place that used to be my home away from home.
Nerves bubble up inside of me.
That’s a new feeling.
It’s the first time I’ve been back here since I got traded. Sure, Boston has come to town to play in Toronto, but I didn’t have these same feelings then.
I adjust the jersey I’m wearing over my patterned tights with a pair of black platform boots.
I slide into my leather jacket—not wanting something warmer for my walk-in since we’ll only be outside for a minute or two.
Filing off the bus, Skylar and Parker flank my sides. The team’s videographer is filming us as a few of the press that I recognize from my days here are snapping photos and talking to some of our players.
“Welcome back to Boston, Lydia,” one of them calls my way.
“Good to be back.”
“Lydia, do you think you’re showing favoritism by wearing a Black Diamonds jersey? Shouldn’t you be supporting the Toronto Sixers? They’re playing tonight.”
I plaster a fake smile on my face. Years of media training has prepped me for moments like this. “If it means I’m showing favoritism by supporting my brother’s team, then so be it. I’m excited for them tonight because they can lock up their spot in the playoffs.”
“Think you’ll be doing that?”
“I hope so.”
“Good luck out there.”
I nod at the reporter, following the rest of the ladies down the tunnel toward the visitors’ locker room.
Favoritism, I scoff.
As if. I’m supporting my brother. What a ridiculous question to ask. The Black Diamonds are killing it this season, so I’m going to support Troy and his team any way I can.
“Lydia. How are you?” An older man with a beaming smile approaches me, breaking me out of my straying thoughts.
“Hey, Coach.”
He pulls me in for a hug. “I’m glad to see you haven’t ignored everything I taught you when you went to Toronto.”
“I might have remembered a thing or two. Something you’ll be regretting later tonight."
"I see not much has changed.”
“Just my team,” I tell him.
He laughs. “We miss you, but we have a great team this year. Hopefully we’ll beat the number one team in the league tonight.”
“We’re not going to make it easy for you,” I say.
“I have no doubt.” He gives me one last hug. “Take care of yourself, alright?”
“You too. It was nice seeing you.”
He waves goodbye before heading down the hall to where the home locker rooms are.
Before I know it, pregame warm-ups are over and the game is starting. The lines are different, but I know a handful of these women. Know how they play. Their tells.
When one of their defenders tries to deke me out, it’s easy to get around her, and I get an easy shot on goal to get the Rosebuds off to a 1-0 lead.
It’s encouraging to hear the boos from the home crowd.
Not something I’m used to from here, but I’m glad because it means we’re doing something right.
Boston doesn’t take it lying down. They get an easy goal on Parker to tie it up in the first, but when we come back in the second, Skylar puts it in the goal.
It stays that way until the third period.
Both teams are fighting hard. When our line is up again, I’m leaping over the boards and flying across the ice. Taking the puck, I pass it to Skylar before she shoots it back to me. Before I can take off again, I’m being checked into the boards.
Fuck. Fuck.
The whistle blows, sending one of Boston’s players—someone I don’t know—to the sin bin.
That hit hurt. Breathing through the spike of pain, I skate back over to the bench.
“Feeling alright?” Delaney asks as I retake my seat.
“Good, Coach. Nothing I can’t skate off.”
I swipe my water bottle and take a gulp. Boston is able to kill the power play before they tie it up when their winger retakes the ice.
“Still a few minutes left to go. Lydia, Skylar. Head back out,” Delaney calls out.
The two of us change up the lines. Our center is able to steal the puck from them and we head to our zone. I push off my skates and stay skate for skate with them.
When the puck comes my way, I’m ready. Pulling my stick back, I fire it at the goal. It hits the crossbar and goes in.
“Yes!” I throw my arms up in celebration.
“Way to go, Bishop!” Skylar wraps me up in a hug as the rest of the girls pile on top.
“Hell, yeah! Let’s bring it home,” I tell them.
I skate back to center ice for the puck drop, and from here on out, we’re on the defensive. Boston pulls their goalie with a minute left, but it doesn’t help.
We’re able to pull off the win.
“That was an incredible team win,” Delaney tells us when we’re all back in the locker room.
“I’m proud of how you fought until the end and worked together as a team.
Our defense was on fire tonight, and Lydia, that was a great goal to seal the win.
I want you all to enjoy the win tonight, but be ready for a light workout tomorrow before we head to New York. ”
“You want to get a drink at the hotel bar?” Skylar asks.
“I’ll do one.” I wince as I pull my jersey and pads over my head. “Then I’m going to ice my side.”
“It is a bit bruised,” Parker says. “We need you in tip-top shape for tomorrow.”
“I plan on it. So one drink.”
“An actual drink?” Skylar asks. “Or something non-alcoholic?”
“I think one drink would be alright.”
I change into my sweats in my bag and head out to the team bus. My phone buzzes in my pocket.
Delaney
Want to come to my room tonight?
Lydia
I thought you’d never ask
Try and sneak away when you can
I’m going to have a drink with the girls and then I’ll be up
Can’t wait
I close out of my texts and pull up my email app. Nothing from my dad. I sigh. So much for trying to see him while I’m here. Hell, I don’t even know if he’s in town.
My phone buzzes, and this alert has me smiling.
Derek
Great shot to win the game, Lydia
Mom
How’s your side? That looked like a hard hit
Angie
Cam was cheering hard for you >
Troy
Hey, why not me?
Angie
She’s in your jersey now >
Troy
That’s better
Lydia
She has to rep her favorite aunt!
Mom
How are you feeling?
Sore, but nothing a little pain reliever won’t fix
Mom
And an ice pack. Keep that on there for a little while tonight. That’ll help
Yes, Mom
Mom
I can hear that tone, young lady
Troy
Ouch. Mom calling you out via text
Mom
Only because I don’t want her to overdo it
Mom
Good luck tonight, Troy
Troy
Thanks, Mom
Derek
Fingers crossed for tonight!
Troy
I might not be seeing my dad anytime soon, but at least I have them. And Delaney. Who I can’t wait to spend the night with.