Jake
Beckett
Don’t call me that.
Beckett
You know you love the nickname, don’t deny it
Now stop deflecting, answer the question
I’m not really sure what the question is?
Maddox
Are we talking about the fact that Jake can’t stop making googly eyes at Kailyn every time they’re in the same room?
Beckett
SEE? I’m not the only one that noticed.
Brayden
That’s cause you’re both smart
Brandon
No, they’re just nosy
Beckett
Wait?! Why are you two acting so nonchalant about this?
Brayden
Why wouldn’t we be?
Maddox
Umm.. maybe because it involves your sister and your teammate/friend?
Or do you both already know??
Ohhh, boy
Brandon
So, I’m assuming the way these two are acting you haven’t told anyone?
I wasn’t intentionally hiding anything. It kinda just slipped my mind after the last couple days off.
Beckett
Wait, wait, wait
Will someone please tell me what’s going on?
Connor
Yeah, Jakey Poo, care to tell the class what’s going on??
Not you, too
Istare at Connor who’s sitting next to me on the bus. We’re on our way to the arena for our next away game. Connor just stares back at me with a shit-eating grin because he knows what went down in the supply closet and he’s going to use it against me as much as he can.
Beckett
Ohhh, now you have to spill if Cap is joining in on the teasing
It’s not a big secret or anything.
I’m not gonna go into the full history, but basically Kailyn and I dated in high school without telling the twins, it ended, and now we’re together again.
Beckett
I KNEW YOU HAD FEELINGS FOR HER!!!
Maddox
So, she’s officially your girlfriend now?
Yes, we’re officially dating.
Beckett
And you didn’t think this is something you wanted to share with your best friends?
I’m not sure if I should be mad or hurt right now
I’m sorry, Becks.
It’s only been a few days, so you’re technically still the first ones to know.
Beckett
I’m not sure what comfort I should take from that
I kinda need you to grovel for me a bit more before I forgive you
I hate all of you right now
Jake leaves Blaze’s Squad chat
Beckett adds Jake back to Blaze’s Squad chat
Brayden
You know the rules, once a member, always a member. You can never leave.
Connor
So I’ll still get these even when I'm dead?
Maddox
That was morbid
Brayden
It was.
But the answer is still yes, even when you’re six feet under you’ll still be hearing from us old man.
Beckett
Anyway, I was just teasing you, Jake. I’m actually really happy for you.
I’ve never seen you this happy and it’s really nice to see.
Thank you.
Kailyn makes me really happy.
Connor
Beckett’s right. We’re all really happy for you both if this is what you truly want.
It is.
She’s always been what I wanted, and I’m not letting her go a second time.
Maddox
And Brayden and Brandon are cool with this?
Brayden
Yes, we had a long discussion about everything and we couldn’t think of anyone better for our sister than Jakey Poo.
Still hate the nickname
Brandon
All jokes aside, Bray is right. We couldn’t think of anyone better, Jake.
Thanks guys, I’m grateful to have you all in my life.
Can I just ask you all to keep it here until we properly tell HR when we get home? I want to do this the right way, so I don’t put her job at risk.
Connor
Of course we can.
Beckett
I’m still gonna tease you, just be warned.
I shake my head at my phone as I power it off and slide it into my pocket. These guys are chaotic and weird, but I love them more than anything.
We start to load off the bus, my mind calm and focused on the game ahead. Once we get inside the arena and make it to the locker room, it’s a blur of getting dressed, stupid jokes and witty banter with the guys, and just an all around good time leading up to the game.
Coach walks into the locker room, a smile on his face and starts his pregame speech.
“All right boys. First of all, I need you to know how incredibly proud of each and every one of you I am. This season has been unlike any other with this team. You boys are putting in the work, doing the job, and it’s paid off thus far.
Of course we can’t win them all, but you’ve proven this season that playing like a team is possible and that you’re more determined than ever to make it not just about the end, but about the journey there, and to me that’s what makes hockey so incredible.
So tonight, I want you to continue that tradition and play with passion and have fun out there. ”
Cheers and nods come from the group as he smiles at us from the center of the room.
“Good. Blaze on three. One, two, three…”
“Blaze!”
We all grab out gear and start heading out to line up.
Standing, I make my way to the front of the line where I see Hannah and Kailyn passing by with medical supplies. They both stop as they approach with smiles and laugh lines across their faces. “Hey, you guys ready for tonight?” Hannah asks in a cheery tone.
“Hell yeah we are. You can never underestimate us, Han,” Beckett says from next to me as he puts his arm over her shoulder.
“If this were last season, I’d think you were lying, but you're on fire this year. So keep it up,” she says, and we all nod at her.
Beckett’s attention moves over to Kailyn, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the woman of the hour.”
She looks at him, eyebrow quirked and a puzzled expression taking over. Her question is directed at me. “What is happening?”
My mouth quirks into a small smile as I step up to her, my hand sliding around her waist and pulling her into me. On instinct, she nuzzles into my chest, and I press a kiss onto the top of her head.
“The guys all found out about us on the bus ride over here. I hope that’s okay?”
Kailyn blinks her eyes, a sleepy look on her face also mixed with so much joy and adoration. Her skin is a bit pale and the color in her eyes look dull, like she can barely focus on what’s right in front of her.
She presses up on her tip toes and kisses the underside of my jaw. “Of course it’s okay, handsome. I’m happy to be yours.”
“Damn, you both are so cute together.” Beckett wipes a fake tear, his voice purposefully shaking as if he’s crying.
“Ohh shut up, you.” I tease, and we all laugh.
“I’m serious though. You both look really good together, and anyone that makes my Jakey Poo smile like that is top tier in my book.”
“Jakey Poo?” she asks with a hint of amusement in her tone.
“Don’t ask.” I mumble in her hairline.
She chuckles at me before snuggling further into my chest, her entire body deflating as if she was holding herself up before. I can feel the heat from her skin on my hands, since I don’t have my gloves on just yet. She feels clammy, sweat beads forming on her forehead that stick to her skin.
“Hey, are you feeling okay?” I cup the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me.
“It’s just been a long day, and I’m tired. But I’m good otherwise.”
“Hopefully once the game starts, you’ll find your second wind, and it’ll fly by.”
“Yeah, hopefully.” She smiles at me, and from the way she’s acting I know something else is going on, but I don’t push just yet.
Taking a step back, I smile down at her, winking as the stadium lights go up and the line starts to move.
“Welp, duty calls. Have a good night out there. I’ll see you after.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that to you?” She teases, and with one final wink at her, I’m skating into the ice, ready for a battle against Boston.