82. Grant
EIGHTY-TWO
GRANT
DECEMBER, THIS SEASON
“Everyone excited for Heroes and Legends Night?” I ask the locker room after an easy afternoon practice. “We should all wear our favorite athlete’s jersey.”
“I forget the rules. Do they have to be a hockey player?” Connor asks, chucking his helmet in his stall. “Can I rock some NBA gear?”
“I don’t think there are any rules.” I unlace my skates and yank them off. “Wear whatever you want, C-Mac.”
“I’m proud of you for taking initiative, G.” Hudson sits beside me with his jersey that boasts the C for captain. “In two years, you’re going to have complete control of this team.”
“Don’t say that. Maverick already retired, and I don’t want you to leave me too, Huddy Boy.”
“It’s going to happen eventually.” He pats my knee. “But I’ll always be around.”
“Can we knock it off with the emotional stuff?” Ethan asks. “I don’t like to be sad, and all this talk about retirement has me very sad.”
“Sorry, E. We’ll keep it only to smiles and good news.” I throw a roll of tape at him and grin when it nicks his shoulder. “The themed night is perfectly timed with the PWHL announcing their expansion teams.”
“Including one in DC,” Connor adds. “The bar is high for them. Every professional sports team in this city has won a championship. They’ll have to do the same so they can join the ranks.”
“What are you doing tonight, G?” Ethan asks, stripping down to his compression shorts. “Want to go to the bar and scout out some girls? I could use a wingman.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I’m hanging at home tonight,” I say.
“You always hang at home these days,” he whines. “What happened to the two of us being the best bachelors in the DC area?”
I met the best woman in the world. I fell in love, and I spend all my time with her. We bought a house we’re painting and decorating and making our own. I never want to walk into a bar again unless she’s with me.
“No one ever called us the best bachelors in DC,” I go with instead. I change out of my gear and dump half in my stall and the other half in the equipment bin in the center of the locker room. “Take Connor. You two can tear up the town.”
“I’ll go as long as I don’t have to get my dick pierced,” Connor warns.
“Never say never, C-Mac.” Ethan smirks. “A pierced dick provides women with a hell of a ride.”
“Behave yourselves. And don’t forget your jerseys tomorrow,” I say, waving to the group.
I head for the players’ garage, whistling as I twirl my keys around my finger. I’ve had my jersey picked out for weeks, and I smile when I slip in my car and find a text message from Lia waiting for me.
AG
Dinner at our place tonight?
My fingers fly across the screen before I have time to think.
Me
I love hearing you call it our place.
I’m already on my way home. Want me to grab anything from the store?
AG
Nope. I have it covered. See you soon :)
The hour and a half drive to the Baltimore suburbs passes in the blink of an eye. The traffic doesn’t bother me, and I don’t care about the detour I have to take because of an accident. I’m going home to the love of my life, and I’m perfectly at peace.
By the time I pull into the driveway, the sky is turning pink and red. The sun sinks behind the clouds, and I park in the garage. I practically jog into the mudroom where I kick off my sneakers and head down the hall, beaming at the sight of her on the living room couch.
“You’re home,” Lia says.
She tosses off her blanket, running to me in fuzzy socks and a pair of plaid pajama bottoms. She leaps in my arms and I hold her, clutching the back of her head while her legs wrap around my waist.
“Hi, baby,” I murmur into her hair. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She kisses my jaw then drapes her arms around my neck. “How was practice? You smell like death.”
“Because I’m an elite athlete who sweats profusely under his hockey gear.” I set her down and pinch her ass when she heads for the kitchen. “Practice was fine. Still not used to the sight of Coach showing up with a hickey I know is from my sister, and I want to gag every time.”
“See? This is why I’m glad my sisters want nothing to do with sports. There’s no risk of one of my players tumbling into bed with them.”
“That, and the fact that they’re married with kids.”
“Some men like being the dad that steps up.” Lia gestures to the island where there’s a Glacier Freeze Gatorade waiting for me. It’s not my favorite flavor, but my notebook would tell me it’s her favorite, so I don’t argue when she buys them in bulk. “Figured you needed some electrolytes.”
“Thanks. Two months into the regular season, and I feel like my fitness level is almost back. You coaches are brutal.” I uncap the top and guzzle half of the drink down. “What can I help with?”
“Nothing. The water is boiling for spaghetti so you can have your pregame meal.” She walks to the stove and opens a box of noodles. “And I bought a new bottle of ranch, you gremlin.”
“Hey.” I shove the Gatorade bottle away and rest my chin on her shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She spins to face me and smiles. “And I love that we’re playing each other tomorrow. Nothing like an on-ice rivalry to use as foreplay.”
“It’s hot when you ignore me in coach-mode, but I can’t wait to put y’all in your place in front of our sold out arena.
” I chuckle. The pregame banter is one of my favorite parts of our relationship.
“By the way, it’s Heroes and Legends Night.
We’re all wearing our favorite jerseys. Are any of your players going to join in? ”
“I’m not sure we’re supposed to entertain the enemy’s themed nights, but I love the idea.”
“Think I might show up in an Emmy Hartwell jersey. One of those pink ones.”
“That would be my pick too.”
“You wouldn’t be jealous?”
“Of you wearing your best friend’s wife’s jersey?” Lia laughs. “Never.”
“Good to know.” I run my hands over her hips, not stopping until I’m holding her ass cheeks in both palms. “How important is dinner? Can it wait until I eat you out on the counter?”
“I could be convinced.” She reaches for the stove, turning off the burner and jumping on the counter. Lia leans back and rests her head against the cabinets. “But only if you promise not to wink at me when you score a goal.”
“Your confidence in me is sexy. Just for that, I’m going to score two goals in your honor.”
I hop out of my BMW at the arena the next afternoon, whistling on the short walk to the security entrance. I unload my wallet, keys, and phone into a small bowl, smiling at the security guard after I pass through the metal detector.
“Looking good, Everett,” Bill says. “I like that jersey.”
“Thank you, sir. So do I.”
I slip into the back hallway, heading for the locker room. Ethan and Connor are up ahead, posing for the social media girls and doing some dance I’m not familiar with.
“I can’t wait to see Maverick kick your ass when he finds out you wore Emmy’s jersey, Easy E,” I yell, and Ethan glances at me over his shoulder.
“Miller’s punches are weak now that he’s retired. I can take him.” He flexes for the camera, and I shake my head. “Is that Wisco? Looks like a throwback.”
“We need more attention on college sports.” I jog to catch up to them. “The Olympics are in February, and I thought I’d recognize a university that pumps out highly developed players for the women’s roster.”
“I’m glad we’re allowed to play in the Games again. Think you’re going to make the roster?” Connor asks. “I know Ethan is representing Canada.”
“Hell yeah I am. And I’m not going to hold back on you all either,” Ethan says.
“If it happens, it happens. I’m glad Coach is leading the team, but I want to earn my spot fair and square.” I shrug. “There were a lot of retirements in the offseason, so I might have a chance.”
“Hang on.” Ethan pulls on my sleeve. “Is that an Amelia Green jersey? That’s sick. And it’s authentic! Look at the fight strap!”
“Figured I’d rep her since we’re up against the Sea Crabs tonight. She’s one of the best to ever play in the NCAA. Here.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and hand it to Connor. “Can you take a photo so I can share it on social media?”
I turn my back to the camera to show off the jersey. I point at Amelia’s last name with my thumbs then take my phone back so I can shift over to Instagram. I upload the photo Connor took, adding a caption of Heroes and Legends Night with the @DCStars. Go Badgers!
I’m tempted to tag Lia. It’s not a secret who I’m wearing, but I don’t want to send any unwanted attention her way while she’s getting ready for our game.
I settle on sharing the post to my feed, and it doesn’t take long for the notifications to roll in.
There are tons of likes and shares. Reposts and comments under the photo that read this guy exudes BDE omg and I love women in male dominated fields! !!
It makes me smile.
“You coming, G?” Ethan asks as we approach the locker room.
“In a minute. Going to make a pitstop first.” I spin and head for the visitors’ locker room. “Tell Coach I’m in the bathroom!”
When I make it to the other end of the hallway, I lean against the wall and nod hello to the players who file in. A few of the guys give me a strange look, but when Emmy rounds the corner, she lights up.
“Grant!” she exclaims, and I give her a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking in. It’s part of my alternate captain duties to make sure the accommodations are up to your standard.
” I smile. “I still think it’s totally badass you have a private women’s locker room named after you in an arena you don’t play in anymore.
It’s restocked and ready for you, by the way.
Checked to make sure there were towels in there after morning skate. ”
“You’re the best, G.” She pats my cheek.
“And I’m so grateful you all haven’t turned the space into something else.
Still waiting for the rest of the league to follow suit, but I’m always happy to play in DC because of the hospitality.
” Her eyes shift to the front of my sweater, and she laughs.
“That’s a nice jersey, G. Where’d you get it? ”
“A thrift store.”
“A game worn, hand-signed jersey, that’s at least fifteen years old? Yeah. I’m sure there are a dozen of these down at the Save A Lot.”
“Fine. Maybe I spent months stalking eBay and auctions until I found the one I wanted to bid on. So what? Mind your business, Hartwell.”
“She’s going to love it, by the way.”
“You think?” I brush a piece of lint away from the C patch stitched over my heart. “Not too over the top?”
“Never. I’m going to get changed. Coach Green should be here any second.”
I wait patiently, pretending to occupy myself with my phone so I don’t look like I’m loitering. The stragglers bring up the rear of the group, and then I hear voices.
One in particular I’d know in my sleep stands out, and I’m already smiling.
“Everett?” Amelia asks, and I look over at her. Her eyes shift to her assistant coaches who disappear in the locker room, leaving us alone. “What are you doing here?”
“Afternoon, Coach Green. As the alternate captain for the Stars, I wanted to check in and make sure there wasn’t anything you or the team needed.”
“That’s nice of you.” Her eyes spark with glee. “I believe we’re all set, but thanks for checking in.”
“No problem. If that changes, let our Equipment Associate know. He’ll take care of you,” I say.
“Appreciate it. We’ll—” Her gaze drops to my jersey. She steps back, a hand on her chest. “What are you wearing?”
“I love a theme, especially when it involves legends.”
“You told me you were going to wear Emmy’s jersey.”
“Come on, Lia.” I drop my voice low, our conversation hushed. “Do you honestly think there’s a version of tonight where I don’t wear your jersey?”
“I don’t know what to say.” Amelia bites her bottom lip. She plays with the bracelet clasped around her wrist, eyes scanning the Wisconsin lettering across my chest. “I’m used to seeing girls wear my jersey, not men.”
“And what do you think?”
“I like it very much,” she whispers. She touches the stitching that’s turned soft from years of wear and washing.
The color is faded, the letters starting to peel.
“Where did you even find this jersey? We wore it for one game during the holidays my senior year. Green accents on the back, red on the front. The design made no sense, but people loved them.”
“I have been stalking several online auctions for a very long time,” I admit.
“I got a hat trick while wearing this.” Her laugh is soft, reminiscing on a favorite memory. “Immediately after scoring my third goal, I was sent to the sin bin for a cross-checking penalty.”
“Bullshit call, I’m sure.”
“Total bullshit.” Lia smiles. “This has made my entire year.”
“You asked me once if I’d ever wear your jersey, and I lied when I said I wouldn’t. I have more at home in a drawer, waiting to be worn. I wanted this one to be the first.”
“You picked the best one.”
“Glad you think so.” I step back, putting distance between us. “I need to run. I’m late.”
“Want to make things interesting?” she asks. “A friendly wager.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure, but it should definitely involve our jerseys.”
“How about this for a bet? Loser has to wear the other’s jersey in bed tonight,” I offer.
“Talk about getting my attention. Sounds like it could be fun.” She tosses her signature game day ponytail over her shoulder with a coy grin. “I hate to lose, and this is a battle I’m going to give my all to make sure I win.”