Chapter Two
We win our home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The victory is sweet, especially for my best friend and teammate, Arden Troy. Although nobody was holding it against him except himself, he made up for a bungled shot last season during the playoffs that took us out of contention.
Tonight, though, when confronted with that same shot, he nailed it. He scored in overtime, ensuring our victory.
Now everyone is in the locker room, high-fiving and congratulating him.
I already gave him a tap with my stick and a “Way to go, bro,” as I passed by.
Now I’m seated next to Finn Norath, our second-line centerman, taking off my pads.
Finn, who has a rugged look about him that lets you know he just has to play some kind of a professional sport, tugs his black tech shirt over his head, making his reddish-brown hair stand up in all kinds of weird angles.
“Good to see Arden can finally put that playoff loss from last season behind him,” he says.
“Yeah,” I agree. “He was obsessing over it most of the summer.”
“Until he met Willow,” Finn says as he continues to undress. “She sure has been good for him.”
“That’s for sure,” I concur.
It’s true. Arden fell in love with our top-line center’s sister last summer, and it’s been the best thing for him. He’s much more relaxed and happier these days. And now he can fully put the past behind him after his stellar play tonight.
Thinking about that winning shot, I say to Finn, “You know what? We should take Arden out to dinner tonight. We can make it like a celebration that he finally got the monkey off his back.”
Standing, Finn grabs a thick white towel from the top shelf of his locker.
As he fluffs it out and wraps it around his waist, he says, “That’s a great idea. Do you want to ask some of the other guys if they want to go too? Or should we just keep it the three of us?”
I shrug. “I think we should ask Hayden, for sure. But that’s it. Arden will appreciate it more if we don’t turn this into something too over the top. You know how he is, always trying to keep things low-key.”
“Good point,” Finn says. “So, do you want me to talk to Hayden, or are you going to?”
“I will,” I say.
Nodding, he heads off to the showers.
I finish undressing and secure a towel around my waist. The showers are next for me, too, but I have one thing I need to do first.
Well, two things really.
I head across the locker room to check with Arden to make sure he’s up for a late-night dinner. It’d suck if we were making plans and he didn’t even want to go.
Lucky for us, he’s in.
“Fuck, yeah,” he says. “That will actually work out well.”
“Yeah? How so?” I ask.
He explains, “My sister is coming into town late tonight. If we go to dinner, I should be back at the house right around the time she’ll arrive. I want to be there and awake, ’cause Willow has to be up early for work tomorrow. She’ll definitely be in bed by the time my sister rolls in.”
“Ah, got it,” I reply.
I now remember that Arden did say the other day that his little sister, who’s having some kind of a post-college “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life” crisis, is moving into town.
“I forgot you told me she’s coming in tonight,” I go on. “What’s her name again?”
“Elena,” Arden replies. “But everyone just calls her Ellie.”
“That’s right.” I nod, recalling he did tell me her name before. “Okay, well, we’ll be sure not to keep you too long at the restaurant.”
He laughs. “As long as I’m back by around midnight, I should be good.”
“We’ll definitely be out of the restaurant before then,” I assure him.
I feel good as I walk away to take care of my next task. Finn and I clearly made the right decision to keep the dinner outing small. I wouldn’t want Arden to miss Ellie’s arrival, and if there were a bunch of us guys going out tonight, dinner would take much longer.
I stop by Hayden’s locker next to see if he’s up for going out tonight. The three of us are pretty tight, especially since we play together on the top line. Finn’s been hanging out with us more lately, and he’s been a good friend of mine for a while, so we’re becoming a nice, little tight-knit group.
Unfortunately, Hayden can’t join us for dinner. He has plans with his fiancée, Addison.
“Next time, though, for sure,” he says.
In a totally teasing tone, since we’re sure to have many opportunities to go out after games this season, I point at him as I back away. “I’m holding you to it, Harrington,” I warn.
He just laughs and shoots me the middle finger.
Damn, I love these guys.
I have no siblings, so they really are like brothers to me.
And just like with real family, I’d do anything for them.
A short while later, Finn, Arden, and I are at an upscale steakhouse in downtown Atlanta, enjoying delicious filet mignon and lobster tail dinners.
The restaurant is all dark wood and Tudor trimming, accentuated by soft lighting. We’re seated at a table in a back corner, affording us some much-appreciated privacy.
Though it isn’t overly busy tonight, we’ve already received our fair share of stares and murmurs of “Wow, those guys play for the Thunder,” especially as we were being led by the hostess back to our table.
But now there’s no one around us.
That’s how we like it. We can relax and be ourselves, which usually includes a lot of joking and teasing.
There’s even some good-natured ribbing about Arden finally making amends for his flubbed goal in the playoffs.
Setting my fork down and wiping my mouth with a cloth napkin, I say to Arden, “Guess this means you’ll be retiring your practice net and street balls, huh?”
Arden spent the early part of his summer practicing just about every imaginable shot out in his driveway, using his trusty practice net and numerous street balls. I know, as I was there to witness a few of those drills.
Dipping a piece of lobster meat into a small metal cup of warmed butter that’s next to his plate, Arden scoffs. “Aw, fuck you, man. I put that net and those balls away months ago.” Looking a little sheepish, he adds, “After I met Willow, I quit spending so much time making up for that fucked-up shot.”
In a serious tone, I say quietly, “She really has been good for you, Arden.”
“She has,” he agrees as he pops the lobster into his mouth.
Finn chimes in, “Hey, speaking of Willow. How’s it going with you two living together?”
Arden nods and swallows, then he says, “It’s fantastic. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
After taking a sip of water, I say, “Yeah, and now you’ll have another person in the house—Ellie. So much for that lonely life you were once leading. Things sure have changed, man.”
Sighing, Arden says, “True. A lot is different…and all for the better. But as for Ellie moving in, she’s being her usual stubborn self.”
Arden rolls his eyes, and Finn asks what I’m thinking, “How do you mean?”
I’m curious to hear his answer. I mean, if his sister isn’t staying with him, where is she planning on living?
Shaking his head, Arden says, “Ellie told me she’ll stay at my house a couple of days, but she won’t live there. She claims she’s not sure how long she’ll be in Atlanta, but I’m thinking at least three months. Anyway, she doesn’t want to be a ‘third wheel’ during that time.” He rolls his eyes again. “Those are her words, not mine. I’d never think that, nor would Willow.”
“Where’s she going to stay, then?” I ask.
Leaning back, Arden says, “She’s talking about living in an extended stay hotel. And honestly, I fucking hate that idea.”
Hmmm, my house is in suburban Atlanta.
It’s nice and roomy too.
And no one lives there but me.
My place is located at the end of a windy lane in a secluded neighborhood, but I’m still close to all of the conveniences, like shopping, restaurants, etc.
Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “Your sister can stay with me, if she wants.”
Arden’s brow creases, like he’s not sure why I’m offering for his sister to stay with me. I’m sure he’s wondering if I have good intentions…or bad.
Nothing but good, I want to say.
But Finn is distracting me.
He’s also looking over at me, but his expression is more one of confusion as to why I’m even throwing out an offer like this.
I don’t know why myself.
I guess I just want to be nice.
Arden is such a good guy, and he really is my best friend. His sister shouldn’t have to be stuck in a hotel somewhere.
Still, to make it clear that my intentions are nothing but pure, I amend, “I mean she can stay at my house, not with me. It’s just…” I sigh. “I have plenty of room. And we’re on the road so much during the season. I won’t even be around that much. And, Arden, you’re like a damn brother to me. Both you dudes are. Hey, maybe Ellie can be the sister I never had.”
Why do I have a sudden feeling that statement is going to bite me in the ass?
Shaking my head, I shrug it off.
Then I look around the table to see how what I just said is being received.
Okay, Arden looks relieved. He also looks like he’s seriously considering taking me up on my offer.
But Finn is still peering over at me like I’m asking for trouble down the road.
Good God, what does he think?
That I’m going to make a move on Arden’s little sister?
Or that I’m trying to set up a live-in hookup situation?
Neither is true. I’d never do anything like that.
Like I told Arden, his sister may as well be my sister.
So, rolling my eyes at Finn, I mutter under my breath, “Dude, come on.”
He just puts his hands up and, making a whatever face, gets to work on cutting his steak.
Thankfully, Arden appears to be lost in thought. He’s not even paying attention to us.
Looking over at him, I ask, “So, what do you think, Arden?”
Shrugging, he says, “I like the idea of Ellie staying somewhere safe. And with someone I know I can trust. Your house is probably the next best thing to her living at my place. Let me run it by her, though. It’s her call at the end of the day.”
I nod. “That’s true. It is.”
He releases a breath. “Okay, I’ll ask Ellie and let you know what she says.”
“Perfect,” I reply, nodding.
I’m feeling good about helping out Arden and his sister, but, man, Finn is staring down at his plate and shaking his head, clearly trying not to laugh.
What does he know that I don’t know?
Is Arden’s sister like super hot or something?
Is she crazy gorgeous?
Even if she is, it’s not like I’m some caveman.
I can control myself.
I’m sure she can too.
We’ll simply be two adults sharing space, nothing more, nothing less.