Chapter 35 – Seth #2
It’s beautiful for us. It’s humiliating for the away team.
If it were me, I’d be calling my agent and asking for a trade by Monday.
But we’re alive out there and when I hear the whole stadium chanting my last name after another good save, I know it isn’t just me who’s seeing how well we’re playing together.
By the time I’m stepping off the ice, sweat cooling on my skin, adrenaline still running hot in my blood, all I can think about is her. Them. How it felt to have both my girls watching from the stands. How right it felt to have their eyes watching me.
After a shower and a quick media hit where I’m asked multiple questions about my transfer to the Mayhem and whether I think my contract will be renewed at the end of the three years, I start scanning the hallway, looking for a flash of bright red hair.
A familiar curvy shape, anything to tell me Bri’s coming to the team dinner too.
But it’s Sawyer I notice first standing with Boone and Rosie near the front of the facility.
Rosie’s smiling, bouncing their little baby boy in her arms. She’s glowing, and I’m happy for my brother. He retired from the Mayhem a year ago and is now a stay-at-home dad. He’s living his dream life with his dream family.
“Hey Spirit,” I murmur as I crouch and pull Sawyer in for a hug.
She squeezes me tight. “Okay, so you crushed it, dad.”
I grin, bumping her knuckles. “You think?”
“Totally. Hey, is it cool if I go home with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Boone tonight? They said I can sleep over with the new puppy.”
I glance at them, and they nod without hesitation.
“We’ll drop her off in the morning,” Boone says, hand resting gently on Rosie’s lower back with an easy grin. “Thought you might be busy celebrating tonight.” He shoots me a wink that I try to ignore. Thankfully, Sawyer doesn’t notice.
“But what about the dog? He’s still crate training.”
Boone shrugs. “He’ll be fine.”
“Alright, that’d be a huge help. Mandatory team dinner after this.”
Sawyer perks up. “Dad, Bri was so cool today. She showed me all her therapist tools, and she let me help wrap someone’s ankle with real tape. Her job is seriously the coolest.”
I laugh and ruffle her hair. “Maybe you’ll be a PT like her someday too.”
“You think?”
“If you want it. You can do anything.”
She beams, eyes wide with possibility. “Then me and Bri can work together.”
My heart squeezes. “Alright, love you, kiddo. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She nods and dashes off with Rosie and Boone, already halfway into her next adventure, and I turn to go find my other girl.
I wander through the halls of the Mayhem facility, checking empty rooms and the usual spots where Bri stores equipment and treats players. The therapy suite. Locker hallway. Upstairs viewing deck. No sign of her.
Then I double back and make my way toward Caleb’s office—the one place I didn’t think to check first. The hallway up at the owner’s suite is quieter, just the low hum of overhead lights and the muffled buzz of post-game cleanup.
The floor smells like it’s just been cleaned and trophies and plaques from the Mayhem’s past season wins adorn the walls.
I can’t wait for my first season with the Mayhem to be memorialized here.
I glance up, and that's when I see her. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, she's standing in the middle of her dad's office, her red hair a wild tangle around her shoulders as she talks animatedly with him. She's glowing.
It doesn't matter how many times I see her. Across a room. Walking toward me. Curled up beside me in bed. She still steals the air from my lungs the same way she did the first night I saw her in that dark bar.
I should probably look away. Instead, I find myself watching. And by the time I realize I can hear them through the office door hanging slightly ajar, it's already too late.
“Any tips from my smart daughter who knows hockey better than I do?” Caleb asks in a teasing voice.
Bri laughs. “No. The team played amazing tonight.”
He nods slowly. “I’m pleased with how they pulled things off. Can’t take the pressure off just because we’re up. What did you think of Seth? I know you’ve been working with the team doctor on his hamstring.”
My breathing slows. This is the point where I should walk away, but my feet feel like they’re filled with lead, and I can’t move.
“I think he played incredibly,” she says, no hesitation in her voice. “His saves were brilliant.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then Caleb says, “Seems like his hamstring isn’t bothering him anymore, which is a relief.
I told those scouts in Boston to back off.
I’m keeping him—so long as he keeps playing like that.
The past few games have really shown me his potential.
I think there’s a lot of opportunities for him here on the team as he gets accustomed to how things work. ”
Scouts? Boston? What’s that about?
“That’s great news that you’ve changed your mind,” I hear Bri say.
I watch as Caleb shuffle a few papers around on his desk. “Now if he can bring the whole thing home, I might think about changing his contract to a ten year and retirement gig.”
I hear Bri cough slightly. “That would be good. You know if that’s what you think makes the most sense for the Mayhem.”
A beat of silence passes before Caleb asks again. “Something on your mind, honey?”
She hesitates. “Yeah. There’s something I need to tell you. Especially now that I know you’re keeping Seth on the team.”
“Oh boy,” he mutters with a chuckle. “I think I know where this might be going.”
There’s a heavy pause.
“I’m in love with him,” she says softly.
“Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m in love with him and his daughter Sawyer.
I love their family. Somehow, they became mine.
My family. I think that’s how he sees it too.
It happened faster than I anticipated it, and to be frank, I was scared to let it happen given the chance that I might leave her life for another team, but I don’t want to go anywhere else, and he makes me so freaking happy, dad. ”
I press my back against the wall just outside the glass, barely breathing. The words hit me harder than any slapshot I’ve ever taken to the chest, and hell if it doesn’t feel better than a win. Better than any goal. She told him. Finally.
“I didn’t want to tell you sooner,” she goes on, voice quiet.
“Because if there was a chance you were still thinking about trading him, I couldn’t influence that decision.
I didn’t want Seth to find out and then think he was only still here because I asked you to keep him.
I wanted it to be because of who he is. What he brings to the team.
His skill. He’s an incredible player and I didn’t want my relationship with him to impact your decision. ”
Damn. I knew Bri was good at heart. I knew she was thoughtful, kind, loving, and full of joy. But I had no idea she was keeping this from me to protect me. Because she’s right, I would have been resentful if I’d known that I hadn’t earned this spot and was only kept because of the coaches daughter.
There’s a pause and then Caleb’s voice softens. “Ah, baby. He was always gonna stay or go based on his own damn merit, but he’s solid. The team needs a leader like him in goal, and that’s got nothing to do with you.”
“You’re not mad at me for dating one of your players?”
“Why would I be?”
She hesitates. “Because I love him, and I don’t see that ever changing. I think this might be a permanent thing.”
I’ve never heard sweeter words.
Caleb chuckles, and it’s not forced either.
“No, Bri. I’m not mad. I’m relieved. You’re happy.
I can see that. And now I get to keep a closer eye on the guy who’s got your heart.
Perks of being the boss. Maybe I’ll scare him just enough to make sure he never forgets what’s at stake if he hurts you. ”
She laughs, and I hear chairs moving, the low rustle of fabric.
I push off the wall and slip away to give them space, heading back down to the facility lobby, adrenaline buzzing through me like I just pulled off a shutout in Game 7.
I pull out my phone to text her, knowing I’ll tell her what I heard when the time is right.
Seth: In the lobby waiting for you. Whenever you’re ready.
Ten minutes later, she walks out, still in those yoga pants that do unspeakable things to my self-control—but the top is different now.
Now, she’s wearing my jersey. My last name is stretched across her back in bright, bold lettering.
My number is on her shoulder. And if it wasn’t already a good night, this just about takes the angel food cake for me.
“Dammit,” I mutter, reaching out and tugging at the hem when she’s close enough to hold. “You look like a dream in this.”
She grins, spinning around with a little flourish, red hair flying. “Thought you might like it.”
“Not afraid of who sees you wearing it anymore?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. I told my dad everything.” Then she hesitates, eyes flicking up to mine. “There’s something else.”
I tilt my head. “Yeah?”
She chews on her lip for a second before exhaling.
“Okay, I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid that you’d think I was meddling or trying to interfere and I swear I didn’t, but…
my dad was considering trading you. He was worried about your hamstring, and the Boston Tea had come asking about you.
But now, after tonight, after the incredible game you just played, that doesn’t matter anymore.
You were… you were breathtaking on the ice, Seth, and he agreed.
You did it. You have a place on the team permanently because of you. ”
I don’t even think. My hand slides around the back of her neck, and I kiss her hard. No hesitation. No apologies.
“I get why you didn’t tell me, but don’t keep shit from me again, alright?” I murmur against her lips.
She nods quickly. “I won’t. I promise.”