32. Bertie #2
Luckily, I get him fed and burped before the game begins and Jocelyn takes him when I’m finished and rocks him back to sleep. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when he doesn’t sleep so much.
“Do you want to use the restroom before the game starts?” Rosie asks.
As if she’s woken up my bladder, it screams in protest. “Yeah, I should.”
We leave the boys with Daire and Luke’s mom and head down the hall to the nearest restroom.
As soon as we’re inside, Rosie turns on me. “You seem stressed. Are you okay?”
Her concern catches me off guard. “I … what?”
“Are you okay?” she repeats. “I just want to make sure you’re all right. I don’t know much about postpartum depression and I’m not saying you have it, but I just want to check in and make sure you’re okay.”
“I mean … I’m a little anxious and stressed at times, but overall, I think I’m doing good.”
Her shoulders droop in relief. “Oh, thank God. Daire told me to get off of Google because I was making myself crazy, but I couldn’t help it. You’re my best friend and I worry.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I groan. “I cry at everything right now. I promise you don’t need to worry about me, but it’s sweet that you do. It’s nice to know someone cares about me.”
“I love you, Bertie. You’re not just my best friend. You’re my family.” She yanks me into a hug.
“I love you, too.” I hold her tight, once again grateful that the universe made sure our paths crossed. “Did you really need to pee?” I ask her when she lets me go.
“Yes.” She turns toward a stall. “I drank way too much water before we left and now, I’m paying the price.”
We do our business and wash up before heading back to the suite.
Daire is crouched on the floor playing with Sammy and some of the blocks they must’ve brought with them. Rory is in Jocelyn’s arms snoozing away.
Since the game is starting soon, I grab a chair so I can watch unobstructed.
I’m sure for most of the others here this is business as usual, but since this is Luke’s first home game I don’t want to miss a single second.
This is a huge deal for him, and even if he doesn’t get any ice time it’s still one of the most important games of his career.
Jocelyn ends up joining me in the seat right next to me with Rory still in her arms.
“How are things with you and Luke?” she asks. “I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for you with a new baby and him gone so much right now. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to come help.”
Since she’s his mom, it would be easy for this question to be pure nosiness, but I think she genuinely wants to know for my well-being. It’s why I like her so much.
“We’re good. I don’t know if he told you, but we … uh … made things official.”
Her eyes crinkle at the corners with her smile. “He did. He’s so happy. You make him happy. I hope you never forget that.” She reaches over and gives my hand a gentle pat. “And how are you doing on your own so much?”
“Better than I thought, but it’s not the easiest. Luckily Rory is a good baby. Luke is such an amazing dad though. He does so much when he is home. You raised a great son. I can only hope to do the same.”
“You will, pretty girl. Trust me, you will.”
When the game finally begins, I find myself on my feet with my nose practically pressed to the glass like a little kid at an aquarium. I watch each of the players hit the ice, jumping up and down with excitement when I see the jersey with Covey emblazoned on the back of it.
The guys jump across the board and settle on a bench.
I’m cursing myself right about now for not knowing more about hockey. I should’ve been studying for this before the season started. Granted, I had bigger things going on and I’m sure I’ll be going to a lot more games in the future and I’ll learn then.
I stay locked in on the game, hoping that Luke gets his moment on the ice.
The only times I look away are when Rory stirs or makes a noise, in case he’s waking up and needs me.
I’m glad he’s sleeping peacefully with all the noise in the space.
I try to play the TV and music and even vacuum while he’s sleeping so that it won’t bother him as he gets older.
“Let’s go!” Daire cheers, watching a player streak across the ice.
A moment later the puck goes sailing into the net and the arena erupts into cheers, our room right along with them.
“This feeling might be addicting,” I admit.
“You have no idea,” Daire says, eyes following another player now.
“Do you miss it?” I ask.
He shakes his head immediately. “No. Now, I can play for fun and that’s all I need. Professional hockey was never for me. My family”—he pauses and eyes Rosie and Sammy chatting with Luke’s mom— “is my priority now. I want to be with them.”
I didn’t know Daire much before a year ago, but what I knew of him I didn’t like. He seemed like your stereotypical asshole and player, but he’s completely changed and turned into someone I admire. Not that I’m telling him that. Rosie would probably curse me for all the bragging she’d have to hear.
Luke doesn’t play the entire first period, but I’m not going to let my hope dwindle that he’ll get some ice time. I want to see him in his element.
The intermission lasts about fifteen minutes before they’re back at it. The other women in the room are still more interested in conversation and drinks than they are with the game, but at least it gives me a clear view of the ice.
I can see where Luke sits on the bench, so I notice the moment his coach slaps him on the back and his teammates cheer as he hits the ice.
I scream with excitement and Daire whoops beside me.
I have a whole list of questions for Luke about hockey now, including what position he plays. I’ve never paid this much attention to the game before, and I just assumed that all players did the same thing but it’s obvious in watching that that isn’t the case.
Daire does his best to explain things to me, but it mostly goes in one ear and out the other.
Luke isn’t on the ice long, but it seems none of the guys are, before he’s back on the bench. He gets to go on the ice again though before the last intermission.
I run to the restroom during the break and grab a plate once I’m back, so I can dish up some of the food from the buffet. It’s only now that I’m realizing that I didn’t eat much today which isn’t good with breastfeeding.