Chapter 32
~Deacon~
After all the press attention I had to endure earlier this year over my break-up with Megan, I never thought I’d wake up on Media Day looking forward to the day ahead.
Even in a regular year, the day isn’t my favourite.
A few guys on the team love the interviews and photoshoots, but most of us simply endure them.
Today, though, it means that Daley will be in town, and I can’t wait.
It’s just after ten by the time I arrive at the arena and things are already in full swing.
I took one of the later rotations, letting the players with young families go earlier so they’d have more time to spend with their kids after their commitments for the day are done.
A few of the other guys linger around the dressing room, still in the middle of suiting up or waiting for their turn to be called.
Among them is River, and I head over to him after saying hello to the room at large.
“You ready for today?”
He’s already fully dressed, clutching his helmet and stick, and close up, his skin is on the pale and clammy side.
Still, he offers me a solid nod. “Yeah. I’ve done this kind of thing with my junior team, but not quite so… big.”
“You’ll be great,” I promise him, deciding not to share the story of how one of last year’s rookies got so excited talking about peanut butter during one of the interviews that the team called him PB for the rest of the season.
No need to plant that fear in his head too.
“Whenever I have trouble getting a natural smile for these photos, I just think of the little kids out there who’ll be watching us play.
Growing up, I thought NHL players had the best job in the world, and you know what? We do. So have fun with it.”
I give his shoulder a nudge and he actually manages a smile. “I’ll try. Thanks, Deke.”
“No problem.”
“River Adams,” one of the media assistants calls from the door, and with a nod more to himself than me, River heads out the door.
I take my time getting suited up and styling my hair.
I shaved yesterday after getting home from practice rather than this morning so I have a little more stubble than usual.
It helps define my jawline in photos, I’ve learned over the years.
My efforts pay off when I’m called for my turn and the team photographer whistles in appreciation.
“Funny, Walsh,” I respond in a deadpan that only makes the guy chuckle.
“I mean it, Deke, you’re looking good. Healthy. Happy.”
I feel that way, actually, and I know exactly why.
After over an hour at the various photo stations, taking stationary headshots, 360-degree videos, slow-mo videos of me skating up to the camera and spraying it with snow as I stop, and a dozen other exercises I forget as soon as they’re done, I’m released back to the dressing room to change again.
In a white button-down shirt and navy suit pants, I make my way from interview to interview, answering questions about the team’s prospects this year, my training regimen, and changes to the roster.
No one asks about Brady or Megan, which means someone threatened them about what would happen if they did.
Not sure if I have the coach or the team’s media staff to thank for it, but I appreciate it all the same.
At some point, someone brings me a sandwich that I scarf down, and by the time the last interview finishes, it’s closing in on three o’clock and most of the media crews are packing up. The other players have all disappeared too, with only a few of the coaching staff still left giving interviews.
After thanking everyone involved, I head down to the large event room where the family activities will be taking place.
Essentially, it’s the ‘backstage’ area used for loading/unloading large deliveries for not only games but concerts and other events that take place in the arena when we’re not playing.
Today, it’s filled with a buzz of chatter that reaches me even before I round the corner and see the mini-carnival that’s been constructed inside.
Fairground games line the inner wall along with food stalls, there’s a soft play area for the smallest kids, video games for the older ones, and even a small go-kart track along the outside wall of the building.
When the season starts in earnest, we spend a lot of time on the road, so these chances to involve our families in the team mean a lot. Whoever put on this year’s event really outdid themself.
“Deke!” A cheer goes up from some of the guys gathered around the food stalls, most with a beer in hand, and I’m about to join them when I spot her.
Daley stands next to a few other women, laughing and cheering as some of the kids take part in a hoop toss game.
River’s there with a young boy on his shoulders, trying to lob his hoops onto the highest items. Her smile lights up the whole room and I can’t stop staring, even when someone says my name again from the other direction.
As if she can feel my gaze, Daley’s head turns, her eyes meet mine, and instantly, the nerves along every inch of my skin tingle in anticipation.
“Deke.” A hand claps on my shoulder, breaking the spell. I turn to find Erik standing there, a quizzical expression on his face. “You okay? Come have a drink.”
With no good reason to say no, I follow him, and with a non-alcoholic beer in hand, I make small talk with some of the other players and their wives and girlfriends.
Though I try not to make it obvious, I never lose sight of Daley either, keeping her in my periphery as she moves from stall to stall with River and the others.
Often enough, I’ll catch her glancing my way too, just as aware of me as I am of her.
At last, they reach the go-kart track and when River climbs into one of the vehicles, I grab my chance. Making my excuses to the group I’m with, I wander over to where Daley stands watching the two racers who have just taken off.
“Who’s going to win? Are we placing bets?”
I speak loudly enough that the whole group hears me, and everyone turns to say hello. I greet them all in return, leaving Daley until last so that when our conversation lingers a little longer, no one will notice.
“Good to see you again, Daley.”
“You too.” She glances up at me from beneath her eyelashes, as beautiful as ever, but more reserved in this setting than she was last weekend. That’s the whole point of having her here, though. I want her to see that we can work in any setting, including this one. “How did your interviews go?”
“Fine. I got a chance to talk about strawberry DNA during one of them.”
Her head raises and she finally meets my eyes fully. “Really?”
“Yeah, one of the journalists asked if I did anything fun over the summer. I figured that qualified. Experiments are my new favourite thing.”
The wink I give her brings a beautiful pink to her cheeks, but before we can say anything else, the race finishes and cheering interrupts us.
I take advantage of the noisy chatter to lean in closer. “I’ll send you my address and you can come over whenever you’re ready.”
I step back just as River and Lance, one of the other young guys on the team, reappear.
“Hey, Deke,” they both greet me, pulling me into another conversation.
I have no further chance to talk to Daley privately for the next couple of hours until the event ends, but with every stolen glance, every moment I catch her looking at me when I’m looking at her across the room, anticipation builds.
There’s something to be said about the excitement of keeping things secret, but I can’t fucking wait until I have her all to myself again.