Chapter 5
FIVE
The Bears
Claudia
As soon as we enter the box the horn blows, Savannah starts crying I lift her out of her seat and hold her close, “Shh, it’s all right, sweet litle one, shh.”
“That was poor timing. Aunt Sofie is so sorry.”
“She’s okay,” I kiss her cheek and whisper to her, “You’re okay.”
The amount of trust my child has in me is crazy, because she immediately quiets. “Look at this place,” I whisper. “All the lights? You see them?”
The box is epic, the lighting is warm and casting a soft glow over the plush leather seats.
To the right, there’s a long granite countertop lined with food—sliders, hot wings, shrimp cocktails, and, yes, New York pizza.
A fully stocked bar and a bartender ready to take our orders, and I can’t partake, but that’s just fine with me.
In front of the plush leather seating are floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ice. It’s a perfect view. The stadium lights flood the arena as the Zamboni scoots around.
Then I see Nalani, and tears are falling down her face.
“All right, Lani, it is time to find your seat,” Sofie says, handing her a tissue. “And pull your shit together. Put your emotions in check and start devising a plan.”
“God, I can’t believe I’m crying,” She sniffs.
“I can,” Noelle says from beside her. “Lauren may think I shouldn’t write about love, but I know it when I see it, and I’ve never seen anything like Nalani and Koa in my twenty-seven years. You prove to me that I’m not wrong, and I’ll write my first bestseller based on it.”
Nalani forces a laugh. “Or die trying, and you can write your first tragedy.” Oh my. “That was a joke.”
“Wouldn’t have mattered, anyway; you’re not gonna fail.” Sofie rests her head on Nalani’s shoulder.
“Because love—true love—always wins,” I kiss the top of Savannah’s head, and I wholeheartedly believe that. In my case, it happens to be the love of a mother for her daughter, but nonetheless.
The door opens behind us, and someone squeals. I turn and see an older woman come in.
“It’s true. They told me that my KET sisters have arrived. Oh, the joy I’m feeling right now is second only to the win we’re about to experience, ladies.”
“Mrs. Costello,” Sofie squeals, “you came.”
They wrap each other up in a tight hug.
“I heard your father bought a box, and then I heard that you were interviewing some of our boys before the game—of course, I came.”
She steps back and turns her head to face Nalani, who says. “You look exactly the same as you did the first time I met you.”
Nalani smiles and hugs her.
“Oh, darling, when you can afford the best plastic surgeons, you never have to get old or saggy.” She laughs and then deadass asks her, “Is this your first time watching the professional cock?”
“It is,” she answers.
Noelle is fighting back the same laugh I am and mouths, “Oh my God.”
I mouth back, “Right?”
“Oh God,” Mrs. Costello moans. “That man is simply beautiful. But you know that, don’t you, dear?”
“I do.” Nalani nods.
“Do you remember that conversation we had in the parking lot back at Hayward all those years ago?”
“How could I ever forget?” Nalani snickers.
“That man makes more money off his cock than any porn star or escort has ever made, and he doesn’t even have to put out.” Mrs. Costello laughs.
To that, Noelle and I giggle like teenagers, because how could you not?
“His cock is everywhere, and once they win the cup, I’m sure it’s going to go international. The Olympic cock, perhaps.” She laughs. “Wouldn’t that be fabulous?”
“I’m sure his accountant would love that.” Nalani fakes a smile. Hmmm….
“So will his agent. Do you remember the beautiful Drew Daniels? She played hockey with her sister, Dylan, who is now the mother of my great-grandchildren—triplets,” she singsongs triplets.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. They’re the best things that ever happened to me. Please don’t tell Dean this; I have always been his number one fan. Still am. But those little darlings … God, I could eat them up.” She squeezes Nalani’s hand. “I still have your number. We’ll set up a lunch.”
She turns and looks around, eyes stopping on me.
“I heard we had another KET girl here and that she has a precious little darling, no doubt future KET.” She walks over and gets a good look at Savannah.
“Oh yes, and possibly a future Warren-Costello. I have two grandsons who will one day woo the hell out of a little princess. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if she was also KET? ” She claps.
“I—”
Mrs. Costello pulls a card out from her bag.
“I’m not sure which area of expertise you studied, but I can assure you that I can point you in the right direction.
I know all the crazies in this fabulous city.
” She laughs then stops quickly. “Oh dear, I did not mean that to offend, even though it was said with affection, of course. I often seek the advice of a mental health professional when needed. But Dean has warned me that is not the appropriate way to talk about people who require help sorting through their emotions, traumas—hell, I don’t know—everything.
It pays to have a friend, even if you have to pay them, am I right? ”
“I, um, thank you, Mrs. Costello,” I manage.
“I’m not sure how you feel about travel, but I know Dean could use another sports psychologist on the team.
These Bears really need to be able to vent their frustrations, so they stop ending up in the penalty box all the Goddamn time.
Don’t you agree, dear?” She laughs. “But then again, how would it affect their game? That would be one hell of a study to conduct, and then a journal article may be published. I think that’s a wonderful idea for you.
Give me a call next week, and we’ll discuss.
” Next, she turns to Noelle. “I would like to set up a weekly book club at dear darling’s little store.
Of course, we need to make a space for that to happen.
” She pulls out another card and hands it to her.
“Thank you, Mrs. Costello.”
“Ladies, one sister’s success means little, but many sisters’ successes make the world voluminous. We are sisters; call me Bitty.” With that, she turns and heads out just as she came in, like a storm.
“How did I not end up with a grandmother like that?” Sofie laughs.
“Friendly reminder: you don’t need one. You take over every space you enter.” Nalani smiles.
“I think that was mean and uncalled for,” Sofie huffs.
“Girl, that wasn’t mean. You’ve come a hell of a long way from the Sofie in freshman year who rambled on when she was anxious. You’re badass now, Sofie.” Nalani states.
Sofie beams.
“But you’re also a meddler.” Nalani adds,
“Am not.”
“Tell me you didn’t set that up.” She crosses her arms.
“Oh, look, it’s Dylan Daniels, the first female coach in the NHL.” She points to the glass wall. “Ladies, the puck is about to drop.” Then she walks over, opens a bag, and pulls out a tiny red, black, and white Brooklyn Bears jersey. Holding it up, she walks over to me.
“There are other ways, little Savannah, to say fuck him without saying fuck him.”
“I mean, I’m hoping he just goes away. This may simply piss them off, fan the fire. I need to find out what I’m up against before I do that.” I shake my head, “But this is adorable.”
“You have a job in the city now,” Sofie walks over, grabs the bag again, reaches in, and starts tossing us all jerseys. “My advice: take it. You have the support system in place here, and like Mrs. Costello said—”
“It’s Bitty,” Nalani cuts her off.
“That woman is a treat.” Noelle laughs as she pulls a jersey over her head. “I, for one, am not looking a gift horse in the mouth.” She looks at me. “We’re sisters, and sisters help sisters.”
“James, we need a round of champagne,” Sofie calls back to the bartender as the rest of us pull the jerseys over our heads.
Champagne flute in hand, we walk over and stand in front of the glass when the lights dim and the stadium roars to life as the Bears skate onto the ice.
Sofie raises her glass. “To KET and sisters who make each other’s lives voluminous.”
“I’ll drink to that, even though it’s a pretty messy word when not on paper, and I like words a lot.” Noelle laughs.
We tap each other’s glasses they sip the champagne, me, I don’t.
“Whatever that is, it’s delicious. It tastes nothing like the stuff we drank in college.”
“It’s the glow-up version.” Sofie hip-checks Noelle. “We didn’t all peak in college. Now it’s our time.”
“Voluminous,” Noelle says as if she’s trying to acquire a taste for the word.
“Am I the only one here who prefers fabulous?” I ask, and we all laugh.
As we sit down, Sofie tells me, “Yours is NA, drink up.”
“Thanks,” I say, looking at Nalani, who is staring at the ice, “Number twenty-nine?”
“The one and only,” she answers sadly as she watches him move across the ice.
“Do you need Savannah?” I ask, only half joking. “If you and Sofie don’t think that I don’t see how much you adore her, and if I weren’t a strong, sane, confident woman, I may think it is totally her and not me.”
“You caught us. We so adore her. But it’s both of you. Are you considering Bitty’s fabulous—”
“Voluminous,” I correct her.
She laughs. “Are you considering her offer?”
“It’s a very expensive city to live in, but—”
“You can stay with me. Like, seriously, please stay with me.” She holds out her hands for Savannah.
“I’d insist on paying rent.” I hand Savannah over.
“I would not object if that’s what it took.” She smiles at Savannah, whose eyes are getting heavy as she looks up from where her head is resting on her shoulder.
“Do you think she’s serious?” I ask Savannah.
“Hell yes, she’s serious,” Sofie answers. “About both options. She does, in fact, know all the crazies in the city, and”—she holds up her phone—“the Bears are looking for a staff psychologist. There’s an online application. Fill it out now and use Bitty as a reference. You can also use me.”
“Do you really think it’s that easy? I mean, what happens if he gets his way and insists, I move to LA.”
“If you get the job for the Bears, you’ll have one hell of a legal team behind you.” Sofie holds her phone closer. “If you don’t, you’ll still have one hell of a legal team behind you.” She nods to Nalani.
“I am not a lawyer yet, but I know enough about research and contracts. I can help find the best lawyers in the area.”
“I don’t really have the money for a lawyer; that’s the whole thing.”
“You have two sisters with daddy’s black cards.” Sofie laughs.
“Um, one, just one sister with daddy’s black card. I was cut off when I left the island.” Nalani admits
“Are you shitting me?” Sofie gasps.
“I have enough money to get by. I have a trust fund that will pay for all of my college expenses when I get into one. That includes rent. I will be fine. Better than fine because I’m free.”
“Are you ever going to tell me”—Sofie waves her hand around—“us the story behind this move?”
“I will, but tonight, I just wanna be girls watching a hockey game. Can we do that?”
“You gonna need a drool bib?” I ask. “Because I have one.”
“Are you?” I shoot back, laughing.
“Kyle was good and bad, up until I realized the mirror over his headboard wasn’t because he was kinky; it was because he was looking at himself.”
“Shut up!” Noelle laughs.
“You’re not the only one who likes naughty books.” I wag my brows at Noelle. “But in real life, it’s a lot harder to distinguish between an alpha male and a beta bitch in alpha clothing.”
“Damn, girl, that’s the real deal talking.” Nalani nods.
And then, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a thrilling night of action between our Brooklyn Bears and the LA Lancers here at Costello Arena!”
Thankfully the crowd’s roar is dulled inside the box, so Savannah doesn’t get upset again.
“Are you ready for some hockey? It’s time to get loud, get on your feet, and show some love for your Brooklyn Bears!”
“Tonight, we’ve got a showdown you don’t wanna miss! The Bears are set to take on the Lancers, and you can feel the energy in the air already. Your first line is on the ice. Our Bears have remained undefeated so far but so have the Lancers.”
Nalani looks at me, and I shake my head, “I haven’t watched one game.”
“The puck is about to drop in just a few moments, so let’s make some noise and get this place rocking! Raise your glass and your team spirit because it’s game time, Brooklyn!”
The puck drops, and the Bears center snatches it quickly, hitting it to their right wing, who whizzes past one of their defensive men, passes it back to the center, who then passes it to the right wing, who has a shot, but the Lancer’s goalie stops it.
“And Kyle Dingy stops Smith’s shot!”
“Dingy?” Nalani asks. “I hope you gave Savannah your last name.”
“The announcer pronounced it wrong. It’s dingy, as in dirty,” I explain.
“Like that makes it any better,” Noelle murmurs and I can’t help but laugh,
“How do we not know your last name?” Sofie asks.
“I don’t know your last names. But mine is Holloway, and so is Savannah’s.”
“Mine is Kāne, Sofie’s is Fairfax, and Noelle’s is Pembrooke.”
“Aw, you remember.” Noelle pouts.
“Please tell me your store is Pembrooke Books.” I grin.
“Totally is.” She beams.
I hold out my fist and she taps it.
“Back to the game.” Sofie insists.
“Indeed,” Noelle stands and, steps closer to the glass when something across the ice grabs my attention. “Is Mrs. Costello’s box directly across from ours?”
Sofie laughs. “It sure looks that way.”
“Are they waving to us?”
“They are, but how about you move your eyes a little south?” She clears her throat. “I’m pretty sure the cock just figured out who’s in the henhouse.”
She holds my hand against the glass, and I watch as tears fall.
I take Savannah from her as she hurries to the bathroom.
“Oh man,” Noelle shakes her head and looks up at me. “I’m so glad she has you here.”
“I’m glad I have her too.”
“Perfect,” she looks back at the ice, “Now you have to stay.”
“I—”
“Don’t break up the family, Holloway,” Sofie shakes her head.