Chapter 48
FORTY-EIGHT
GE
I love the playoffs!!
AG
So do I. It would be nice if we could skip the 82 games before this!
I know you all lost to Miami last night, but you’re the better team.
(this is totally unbiased, btw. Just my professional opinion!)
You’ll get them in game two!
GE
That’s what Maverick said in the locker room, and I agree!
Speaking of Maverick, guess what I found out tonight??
AG
What?!
GE
Mav and Emmy are having a BABY.
AG
Oh my god! That’s so exciting!!!
GE
They’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, and they are so happy. Makes ME happy to see them so ecstatic!
I’m going to be an uncle!
AG
I bet they’re thrilled!!!
Do they know if it’s a boy or girl?
GE
A girl, which is so fitting.
She’s going to be an ass kicker. I hope she follows in her mom’s footsteps.
AG
What a lucky lady. Her parents are going to adore her.
GE
They already do. So do we.
Guess what else happened at team dinner?
I learned that Lexi and Riley are dating!
AG
Holy cow. I can’t keep up with everything going on in your world!
GE
You’re telling me. Between the relationships, the Vegas weddings, and the babies, I had to start a note in my phone to keep it all straight!
AG
When do you all have time for hockey?
GE
We’re more like a social club than a professional sports team.
Can y’all beat Los Angeles, by the way? I want our teams to play each other in the Stanley Cup final!
AG
We’ve been talking about that for years, haven’t we?
It has to happen one of these days!
GE
Here’s hoping!
AG
I really thought you had that series in the bag.
I’m so sorry, Grant.
I know it doesn’t change anything, but you all played really well.
GE
Thanks. We gave it our best effort out there, but they were the better team.
It’s back to the drawing board for next season.
Seymour is a good player. He’s just not Riley, and we really missed having Mitchy out there this postseason. Hopefully we can snag a good defenseman during free agency.
ANYWAY. I’m cheering for you all in game six tonight! How are you feeling?
AG
Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Wondering if all the work we’ve put in will pay off.
GE
It will. Your coaching staff is amazing. Your players are prepared, and they trust you.
I have a great feeling about how it’s going to go for you, Lia.
AG
Thank you . That means a lot.
GE
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
Congrats on the win, Lia!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so fucking proud of you. Miami is a tough opponent, and y’all did the damn thing.
I’m crying watching you all on TV!!!!!!! You probably won’t be able to answer until later. Just wanted you to know you’re so fucking incredible!!!!!
AG
Hi, sorry! It’s been a long night!!!! Thank you :) What a surreal feeling! The guys played unbelievably, and I can’t believe we won!!!
GE
I can!!!! They’re under your leadership, and you’re the best of the best!!!!! Go celebrate. We’ll catch up in a few days.
AG
Does this feeling ever go away?
GE
Nope. That high is the best, isn’t it? Sometimes I’ll be doing something and randomly remember that we won two years in a row, and it makes me giddy!
I hope you’ve soaked up your success over the last two weeks!! Do you have any plans for the rest of the offseason?
AG
Going home to Wisconsin for two weeks. Other than that, it’s getting back to work with our board of governors to strategize next season.
GE
Already? It’s not even July!
AG
The players might be resting, but we aren’t. There are no off days when you’re trying to build a legacy franchise.
GE
Goddamn. That made me put down the chocolate chip cookie I was about to eat and put on my running shoes haha. Off to the gym I go!
Also, back to your earlier question about pride and the Cup.
I’m still so proud of you, Lia. I’m going to keep being proud of you until the end of time.
AG
So many people have told me that, but hearing it from you is extra special. You know what it took to get here. You get it.
GE
I do. And that’s why I’m never going to stop shouting about how happy I am for you!!
AG
Happy birthday!!!
GE
Thanks, Lia! Another year older. Time is moving WAY too fast.
AG
And here I was thinking you were youthful and spontaneous.
The older you get, the more introspective you are?
GE
Basically. I put together a will last night. Being an adult is SO much fun.
AG
Mortality aside, I hope you’re doing something fun to celebrate today!
GE
Ethan, Connor, Riley, Mav, Hudson, Liam and I are doing dinner! Everyone has their own things going on, and I’m grateful for even a few hours with them.
AG
That sounds really nice!
GE
Wish you could be here!
AG
Me too. Maybe next year?
GE
We’ll plan it :)
AG
Random question. Do you have Brody Saunders’s phone number?
GE
*Attachment: 1 contact*
There you go!
AG
Thanks! I wanted to ask him a couple questions, and his social media presence is very limited.
GE
Dude is so mysterious. I’m kind of afraid to know what his search history looks like!
AG
I had a dozen new matchbooks in my mailbox this morning. Was this your doing?
GE
It was!
Happy birthday :) I wanted you to contribute to your collection!
AG
You certainly did! I added all of them to the glass jar in my office.
The cowboy matchbook is so cute! Where did you find it?
GE
A lot of hunting in online groups.
I thought they looked pretty cool.
AG
The red is my favorite color too! Thank you so much!
GE
You’re welcome!
GE
T-minus one week until training camp! Are you ready?
AG
More than ready.
We’re the defending champs. It’s a big year!
See you in October, by the way!
GE
I’m excited!
It’s been a while since we did our secret of the day, but today feels like a good afternoon to share one with you.
AG
Yeah? I can’t wait to hear!
GE
I’ve missed you so much, and I’m so excited to talk to you in person.
AG
My secret of the day is I’ve missed you too.