Chapter 16 Brody
SIXTEEN
brODY
Puck Kings (+ their savior, BS)
Miller
Thanksgiving dinner starts at 4. You’re allowed over any time after 2.
Hudson is on dessert duty. Mitchy is bringing salads. Sully has the cheese board covered.
Everett
I’m bringing the mashed potatoes! I’ve been peeling all morning.
Miller
Great. Richardson, you have the stuffing?
Richardson
I wish I was doing the stuffing, if you know what I mean ;)
Mitchell
Ethan. Not on Thanksgiving.
Me
Why did I get added to a group chat? Hearing about Richardson’s off-ice extracurricular activities is not how I wanted to start my day.
Remove me, or morning skate will be hell tomorrow.
Miller
Come on, Coach. It’s a holiday where we talk about what we’re thankful for! And we’re all thankful for you.
Richardson
I’m also thankful for sundresses. I can’t believe we have to wait until May before we see those again.
Hayes
You’re coming to dinner, right Coach?
Miller
I stuck my hand up a turkey’s ass to get this food ready. He better be coming.
Everett
Who? Coach or the turkey?
Richardson
I just gagged.
*Liam Sullivan has left the chat*
*Ethan Richardson has added Liam Sullivan to the chat*
Richardson
Nice try, Goalie Daddy.
Everett
Is everyone bringing their better halves? I told Hannah to come, and I don’t want her to feel like she has to stand in a corner with no one to talk to.
Richardson
I’ll keep her company, G-Money.
Mitchell
Lexi will be there.
Miller
Emmy girl too, obviously. But she’s confined to the couch.
Everett
K, good!
Richardson
You don’t have anything to say about me keeping your sister company, G?
Everett
Nope. She’d never go for someone as conceited as you, so I’m not worried.
Richardson
Challenge accepted.
Me
Every single one of you are on my shit list.
Liv
Happy Thanksgiving, Dad!
Me
Happy Thanksgiving, kiddo. Are you having fun at your mom’s?
Liv
We’re making pumpkin pie!
Me
Sounds fun. Bring a slice back with you tomorrow.
Liv
Will do! Love you!
Me
Love you too, Livvy.
Kali
I hope you’re not spending the holiday alone.
Me
I was invited to Maverick Miller’s house for dinner.
Kali
You should go!
Me
I might. Just don’t want it to be weird.
Kali
It wouldn’t be! They’ll be happy to see you!
Me
We’ll see.
Kali
What’s Hannah doing today?
Me
How would I know?
Kali
Maybe you asked her when you picked Liv up from her lesson earlier this week.
It would be a shame if she had to spend the day alone.
Me
We’re friends, but I don’t know the details of her holiday plans.
Kali
Friends, huh?
Me
I’m not saying anything else. Happy Thanksgiving, Kal.
Kali
Happy Thanksgiving, Brody. Hope you have a chance to see your friend!
H.E.
Happy Thanksgiving, GC!
Me
Happy Thanksgiving, IQ.
H.E.
IQ?
Me
Ice Queen.
H.E.
Oh, I like that.
Me
Figured you might.
H.E.
Is your ass doing okay after that fall last week?
Me
I’ve had much worse. Does Monday still work for our lesson?
H.E.
Sounds great. Have a good day, Brody! Hope you have a lot of things you’re thankful for.
Me
You too.
I stand outside Maverick and Emmy’s house with a bouquet of camellias wrapped in brown paper. I adjust the twine holding them together and wonder if I should knock or just walk in.
There are loud noises on the other side of the door.
Laughter too, and now I’m worried I’m overstepping.
Invading a safe space they’ve created without me, because they aren’t professional athletes today.
There aren’t team rules they need to follow or workouts they have to complete.
They’re regular guys spending time with their friends, and I don’t want to ruin that.
“Are you contemplating the meaning of life?” someone asks, and after hearing that voice moan my name, I’d recognize it anywhere.
Hannah.
I turn my head. She’s sauntering toward me with a wide smile, blonde hair pulled out of her face and tossed over one of her shoulders. My grip on the flowers tightens as my eyes rake down her body, hoping my gawking isn’t too obvious.
A short, pleated skirt that hits the tops of her thighs. The white sweater she paired it with that makes her skin look soft and smooth. Brown boots coming up to her knees and a long coat keeping her warm.
My tongue is heavy in my mouth. My palms are sweaty. It feels like my first day existing on this fucking planet, like the sight of her is a punch to my gut, and I have to remind myself to breathe.
The closer she gets, the more details I notice.
Bright red lipstick, just like the night I kissed her the first time.
Diamond earrings. A necklace clasped around her throat, and a possessive, unhinged part of my brain is smug with satisfaction in knowing my hand looked better around her neck than the simple silver chain.
She’s still so goddamn beautiful, and I’m still so fucking attracted to her.
“Always,” I draw, shoving my hand in my pocket. It’s safer than letting my fingers roam free. “Hello, Tiny Everett.”
Casual, easy. Friendly, just like we decided.
“Hi there, Coach.” She stops at my side, the scent of her perfume swirling around me. Vanilla, with the touch of strawberries. The same smell I licked off her when she was spread out on her bed. “Those flowers are beautiful. I didn’t know you were a florist in your free time.”
“I’m not. Some guy in Florida recommended them.”
“So fragrant.” Hannah leans forward, bringing her nose close to the petals. Her hair grazes my forearm and I freeze, not daring to move. “I wish I had a big backyard where I could grow flowers and vegetables. Since I don’t, I collect keychains instead.”
“Keychains?” I exhale when she takes a step back. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a silly tradition I started when I traveled for competitions.
I wanted to bring something home from each city I stayed in, and I’ve made it my mission to track down the funkiest, weirdest ones.
Like, I have this one from Lake Placid that says square dancers do it with seven other people. Makes for a good conversation starter.”
I bark out a laugh. “You have my attention.”
“It’s fun, right? If you ever find an absolutely bizarre keychains on your travels around the country, please send me a photo. They make me indescribably happy.” Her elbow lands in my ribs with a gentle nudge. “Are you planning on going inside?”
“Debating on it. Might stay out here the rest of the afternoon.”
“Wow. And here I thought Brody Saunders wasn’t afraid of anything.”
“I’m not afraid. Just…” I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “Sometimes I don’t know how to act around them. My coaching style changed after Riley’s accident. I never used to text my players. I didn’t spend Thanksgiving with them. There was a clear separation. But now—”
“Now you know life is short, so you want to make an effort. You realize there’s no harm in hanging out with them, but you’re not used to not acting like their coach.” Hannah cocks her hip to the side. “Did I get that right?”
“Yeah, and it’s freaking me out.” I mess with the twine wrapped around the flower stems. “I don’t like people knowing all my secrets.”
“Your secret is safe with me. Step one is going inside and knowing they’ll be happy to see you.
Step two is eating so much food, you have to unbutton your pants.
Step three is walking it off so you can have another slice of pie when you get home.
” She rests her palm on my shoulder. “Here. I’ll go first.”
Hannah opens the door and steps inside. I follow her, lingering in the foyer while she takes off her coat and hangs it on the wall with a collection of other clothing. Warmth surrounds me. So does the smell of food and something sweet, and I relax when the door shuts behind me.
“Step one is complete,” I mumble.
“You’re doing great, BB,” she tells me.
Looking down at her is a mistake. Her palm is flat on the wall. She’s lifting her leg, unzipping her boot. I see those strong thighs. White socks that give me heart palpitations, and I wonder, fleetingly, if she’ll ever be out of my system, even though I know the answer.
“What does BB mean?” There’s chalk in my throat. I cough twice to try and clear it. “That’s new.”
“Broody Brody. I just thought of it.” She pinches my cheek, the spot where my smile would be if I wasn’t so mesmerized by the sight of her knees. “Have fun!”
“Who’s here?” Ethan comes bounding around the corner, stopping in his tracks when he sees me hovering in the doorway like an unwanted guest. “No fucking way. Boys,” he practically screams. “Get your asses in here!”
“I swear to god, someone better be dead, Easy E.” Maverick appears with an apron tied around his neck, scowling Ethan’s way. “Why are you—Coach?”
“Wait. Coach is here?” Grant stands on his toes, shoving past the other two. “He came,” he whispers. “It’s a miracle.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.” I hold out the flowers. “These are for your wife.”
“She’s going to love them. Thanks, man.” Maverick beams and gestures for me to take off my shoes. “Come on in.”
I follow them to the kitchen where I accept a water from Maverick.
A quick lap around the house has me finding the rest of the guys and the significant others they brought.
They all greet me with a hug. A hand on my shoulder and an excited whoop.
By the time I reach a very pregnant Emmy sitting on the couch, I’ve finally relaxed.
“Emerson Hartwell.” I shake my head when she tries to stand up. “Don’t you dare. Not on my account.”
“Brody Saunders.” She grins. “I’ve lost a little bit of my speed.”
“For good reason. How are you feeling?”
“I’m ready for this baby to get here. If Miller asks whether I need my pillow fluffed one more time, I’m going to induce labor myself.”
I chuckle. “He’s come a long way, hasn’t he?”
“Yeah.” Emmy’s smile softens. She plays with the wedding ring on her finger and puts her hand on her stomach. “He has.”