31. Luka
Luka
"You fucking did it!" I scream at him and Grady slams into us before the whole team is piling on top of us. It is like a Mac truck has hit me. All the pain hits me at once.
"Come on, Rizzoli." Jake takes my arm and we skate to my family.
I look at the two seats Jake always saves for his parents, but like usual, they are empty.
He banged his stick on the glass as Gio and Layla stood on the other side.
I pull my helmet off and set it on the ice.
Looking up, I press my hands against the glass, and their little hands meet mine.
"You did it, Zio!" Layla yells.
"The best freaking Goalie around!" Gio yells and points to me. "That's my Zio!" I laugh at him while he tells everyone around us that I am his uncle. I look over his shoulder and see Adrianna standing behind them. Her eyes are glossy and she smiles at me.
"Go change." She mouths and I nod at her. I can't wait to get out of this gear.
Jake waves off the guys, begging us to go out with them tonight. With the warmer weather, the guys are going out after every game, and this one is no exception.
"You can go out with them if you want. I am going to head home to rest." I lift my duffle over my shoulder and wince.
"There is no way I am going out without you. I am going to help Addy get you home, and then I am going to pass out until we have to be back for practice." He takes the duffle from me and pushes the door open.
"Zio!" The kids yell and come running down the hall.
"Easy!" My Ma yells before the kids can slam into me. Jake drops the duffles, scoops up Layla, and hugs Gio.
"Uncle Jake, you did so good! You won the game!" Gio says, and Jake stands there in shock. It is the first time either one of them has called him uncle. I know he loves them like his family, but hearing them say it to him probably shocked him some. He quickly shakes it off and ruffles Gio's hair.
"It was a lucky shot, kid. I am just glad your Zio was out there to stop the other team from scoring."
"Bullshit, Webster. That wasn't a lucky shot; it was amazing." Penelope slides in beside Gio and takes Layla from him. "Stop downplaying your talent." She whispers at Jake before turning to me. "She is pissed."
"Yeah, I figured that." I run my hand through my hair and wince. The back of my head still fucking hurts.
Adrianna walks up to me, and without saying anything, she takes my head in her hands. Standing on her tiptoes, she runs her fingers over my forehead and down my cheeks. "Home, now," she says and turns to walk away. I grab her hand to stop her.
"I will follow you anywhere, wife. Let's just do it a little slowly, yeah?" She closes her eyes, brings her hand to the bridge of her nose, and squeezes it before opening her eyes again.
"Okay, husband. We will go slow." She grips my hand and Jake picks up my duffle and walks us out to the parking lot.
My family is still standing around waiting for us.
They congratulate Jake on an amazing shot and tell me how much they wish I had waited to go back on the ice.
I know they mean well. They don't give me too much shit.
Probably because they feel bad about how pissed Adrianna is with me. Jake throws my duffle into his car.
"I will do up your laundry and bring it over tomorrow," he says and opens his door. "Penelope, do you want a ride home?" She turns and looks at Adrianna.
"I can get him home, Pen. Why don't you ride home with Jake?" Adrianna opens the passenger door and motions for me to get inside. Pen hugs her and gets into Jake's car.
"Let's go home, Husband." Adrianna shuts the door and rounds the SUV. She sits behind the wheel for a second.
"What is wrong?" I reach over and take her hand.
"Which place is home?" She asks and I laugh. I guess we didn't have this conversation.
"Home is where ever you are, Gattina. As long as I am sleeping beside you, I don't really care.
" I squeeze her hand and tip my head back against the seat, closing my eyes.
I am hurt and tired, but I am not going to tell her that.
She is already pissed at me. I feel the car start moving and wonder what apartment she picked.
We pull up outside my apartment building and I laugh. "You just want a comfy bed."
She lifts her shoulder, "I do, so sue me.
" She starts laughing and helps me out of the SUV as best as she can.
As soon as we get into the house, she yells at me to go to bed.
I would normally argue with her, take her in my arms and make her beg me to let her come.
But she is right. I feel like shit and need sleep.
So I allow her to push me into the bedroom and get ready for bed.
I am curled under the covers when she finally slides in next to me.
"Are you okay? Need anything?" She whispers as she sets her head on my chest and starts swirling her fingers over my chest.
"I am sorry I worried you today, Gattina. I just needed to do it." I brush my hand over her hair.
"I know. I just hate you are hurt. I understand having to step up for your team. You are an amazing team member, an amazing Captain."
"I love you." I place a kiss on her head and breathe in her scent.
"I love you, too." She whispers against my chest and we fall asleep.