Chapter 58 #2
Only a minute later, I’ve got a drink in my hand and Bea tries again.
“To women taking over the world.”
Happiness shoots through me as I look at each of these incredible women before me. Each one is absolutely bossing it in their individual fields, including the mini one in the living room, who is working toward having an incredibly successful future as an athlete.
We stand over the food, grazing and chatting about our weeks and the guys for the longest time. We lose track of time completely, and it’s not until Sutton calls through from the living room that the game is starting soon that we all begin to move.
“Do you want a plate of food?” Casey calls back, but she doesn’t wait for Sutton’s response; she’s already loading a plate full of food.
“Yes, please. I’m starving,” she replies, making us all laugh.
“I swear, trying to keep her and Kodie full is a full-time job,” Casey mutters as she fights to carry two plates and her drink through to the living room to watch the game.
“Oh, wow,” I breathe when I follow and discover Sutton’s setup.
She’s on a balance board, on synthetic ice hockey tiles, flicking a puck back and forth just like I often see the guys doing.
“Oh, food,” she announces, hopping off the board and jumping the tiles without a care in the world before she drops to her knees at the coffee table and begins devouring her dinner.
We all find seats and settle in for the game.
The room is silent as we all eat for the first two minutes, but the second Kodie takes a hit from the Blackhawks D-man, Casey practically throws her plate across the room as she jumps to her feet and starts screaming at the TV.
Sutton isn’t much better, but at least her food isn’t on her lap.
“Do it, Daddy. Hit him. He deserves it,” Sutton bellows, making me smother a laugh.
Casey shoots her a side-eye, but she doesn’t comment. Something tells me that any attempts are futile at this point.
Thankfully, Kodie doesn’t follow his daughter’s advice and he walks away from the asshole, ready for another puck drop.
Casey and Sutton continue shouting at the screen between mouthfuls of food. Freya and Bea are much quieter, although that all changes when the Blackhawks get their first real shot on goal.
“That’s it. Yes, Cole. Yes, baby,” Freya squeals when the puck lands in Cole’s glove.
All five of us are solely focused on the TV screen as we head toward the end of the first period. It’s still goalless, but we’ve had way more chances. We just can’t seem to find the back of the net.
“Oh oh oh,” Bea says, leaning forward as if that’ll get her a better view as Rett passes forward to Fletch. He shoots around the back of the goal before faking a left to Kodie and instead passes to Linc, who finally finds the back of the net with an incredibly fast wrist shot.
“Yes,” we all scream as the guys celebrate on screen.
“That’s our boys right there,” Casey shouts. “Fuck, I love them.”
I wait for the appearance of Sutton’s swear jar, but she doesn’t get it out.
“You not collecting tonight, lil Riv?” I ask teasingly.
“No,” she sulks. “I’m not allowed during games. It was costing everyone too much money.”
“Fair point,” I mutter as I catch sight of Hayden jumping over the boards for the final shift before the break.
“He’s seriously fast,” Sutton says, tracking Hayden as he shoots down the ice.
“He is,” I breathe, pride for my man oozing from me.
Sutton breaks eye contact with the TV and looks over her shoulder at me, a smile pulling at her lips. She’s about to say something, but Casey starts shouting again, stealing her attention.
We all slump back into the couches as the guys head off the ice.
“Games are exhausting,” Bea states, rubbing a hand over her belly. “And I’m not even wearing skates.”
“I need another drink,” Casey announces. “That was intense.”
“Same,” Freya agrees, also climbing to her feet.
“And I need to pee again,” Bea adds, pushing herself to stand.
“Hails, you want another?” Casey offers before disappearing. “Screw it, I’ll just bring the bottle. I think we’re going to need it.”
They all disappear, and the room falls quiet, apart from the presenters on TV chatting about the first period.
Sutton climbs to her feet and walks over before plopping down beside me.
“You look happier,” she observes, her dark eyes—just like her daddy’s—holding mine.
“I am,” I tell her simply.
“Is it because Hayden is your boyfriend now?”
“Yeah, Hayden has a lot to do with it. All of you guys, too.”
A smile curls at her lips.
“You and Hayden look cute together. He looks happier, too. I was so sad that his sister died.”
“Me too, sweetie. It was really sad.”
“I was also a bit worried he might not play because of it. But he is, and he’s better than ever. I think that’s because of you.”
My heart swells.
“That’s all Hayden,” I say, pride filling my voice. “He’s almost as determined as you are.”
“If I can be as good as him one day, then I’ll be happy.”
“Aren’t you a winger?” I ask. Her eyes widen in surprise and delight that I know her position.
“Yep. Just like my daddy,” she states proudly. “Only, don’t tell him, but I think I might be a little bit better.”
The girls’ voices get louder as they return, and Sutton hops back off the couch to give them space to sit back down.
“Wait, wait,” Casey calls before Bea can lower her butt. “We need photos. Sutton, come join us.”