Chapter 48
WELCOME HOME
FLETCHER
“This is the best day of my life,” Calvin says, hopping up and down. He’s so jittery.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes! I get to have all my favorite people in one place, and playing with Adam again will be a dream.”
We’re standing outside the SUV the GM sent to pick up Adam.
We were adamant about getting to pick him up, even though the GM wanted it to be just him and Adam.
Trigg and Grace were going to come too, but Trigg was busy, and Grace had already committed to picking up an extra shift at the bar she works at sometimes.
Zoey’s here, but she’s waiting in the car to stay warm. It’s a balmy ten degrees. We watch the plane land and slowly start its way over to us. Zoey climbs out of the truck, adjusting her hat over her long, dark hair that matches her brother's.
Calvin wraps an arm around Zoey’s shoulders to pull her in close.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she murmurs.
“Believe it,” Calvin replies.
Something flashes across Zoey’s face, and she shrugs his arm off. Calvin’s face falls for only a moment, but I catch it. He schools his expression immediately, focusing on the plane as it stops.
A minute later, they have the stairs down, and Adam is coming down them with a bag over his shoulder and a carry-on in the other hand.
He’s barely got two feet on the ground before he and Zoey are wrapped in a tight embrace.
Even though she saw him a few months ago, I’m sure this is different.
He’s home for good. They signed him to a preemptive three-year contract, so he’s not going anywhere for a while.
Calvin stands next to them, and when Zoey and Adam finally break apart, Calvin and Adam hug for a long moment. Zoey takes his bag, rolling it over to where I’m standing at the truck. The GM gets out, greeting Adam with a shake of his hand and welcoming him to the team.
“Good to be home,” Adam says, a fleeting smile on his lips. He wraps his arm back around his twin sister, holding her close.
I smile and give him a quick hug. “Ready to get down to business? Playoffs are almost here.”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Adam says. We climb into the SUV to head to the arena. The GM peppers questions throughout the drive, while I send Lydia a text to check in.
Me
Miss you.
Lydia
Miss you too. How’s Adam?
Me
Great. This will be huge for us.
Lydia
I think it will be, too.
Me
We’re all going to go to dinner tonight. You in?
Lydia
Yeah. But I’m going to nap first. Can you call me when you pick a time?
Me
No problem. Get some rest, Lydi-bug.
“How’s Lydia feeling?” Zoey asks, looking over my shoulder.
“Good. Tired, but everything I’ve read says that’s normal at this point in pregnancy.”
“Her baby shower is going to be so cute.” Zoey grabs her phone and pulls up a picture. “We ordered these cute ladybug cookies from a local baker, and we also have a sign being made that says, 'A little ladybug is on the way.’”
“That’s perfect.” I smile as I look at the photos of the sign and the cookies. “She’s going to love it.”
“I agree.” Zoey bites her lower lip. “Is her mom always this…”
“Bitchy?”
Zoey chokes on a laugh. “I was going to say abrasive, but I suppose bitchy works.”
“Yeah, she is, but this situation has brought out a new level. I didn't know she could be this bad. Lydia’s parents have always been rough and too hard on her, but this is a lot.”
“Why? I mean, Lydia is so accomplished and wonderful. Why don’t they treat her like the amazing person she is?”
“Her mom thinks she should marry for money and join the posh lifestyle she and Lydia’s dad live. Especially now that Lydia and I are together, she thinks Lydia is on a one-way ticket there. It’s hard because that’s the total opposite of Lydia.”
“It is. I never would have guessed Lydia came from them, knowing her as well as I do.”
“Me either. Honestly, I wish she’d cut her parents off. Her mom hasn’t even been excited about the pregnancy, just the networking opportunities it gives her, and it’s disgusting.”
“She should cut them off. What little I’ve interacted with her mom has been rough. I mean, she hasn’t even offered to help besides sending a list of people to invite and trying to convince us every day to switch the venue.”
I sigh heavily. “Yep. It’s weighing on Lydia that her mom only cares about that, and not her daughter.”
“I’m sure.”
“I appreciate you, Grace, and my mom for stepping in and doing this for her. It means a lot.”
“We’d do anything for her. I’m so excited for the two of you.”
“Thanks, me too. It’s going to be tough to have a baby in the middle of playoffs, but I know she’s got a good group of people to help her.”
“She does.” She rubs my arm. “We’ll take care of her, don’t you worry.”
“So, you and Lydia are officially together, then?” Adam chimes in from the row in front of us.
I flash a cheesy, uncontrollable grin. “Sure are.”
He laughs. “About time.”
“Yeah, yeah.” My tone is sarcastic, but it’s funny to me that even Adam could see how much I wanted her. He only saw us together a few times a year, if that.
We pull into the arena and exit the vehicle, heading down to the locker room while our social media girl follows, taking pictures and videos of his arrival.
Getting him on our team is going to be huge.
Not to toot our own horn, but we’re a good team, and having a player like Adam is going to make us even better.
That Adam and Calvin have played together since they were kids is going to be amazing.
In any sport, when you play with someone on the same line for that long, you sort of create a silent, secret language with them.
Calvin and I have one of our own, but we’ve only been playing together for six years.
These two grew up together and learned to play hockey together.
They know each other like the back of their own hand.
None of us knew this was a potential. From the sounds of it, Adam was planning on getting re-signed since his contract was up, but the team decided to trade him instead.
The news has been buzzing, as this was a huge, unexpected trade. Lucky for us, we got him. Once Adam is shown to his locker, poses for a few more photos, and takes a quick promo video, they let him know he’s good to go.
We’ll have a quick practice tomorrow morning so he can get acclimated to the team, but from the sounds of it, he’ll start at tomorrow night's game.
I open the text thread that includes everyone, including Hattie, and add Adam.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP CHAT
Me: Game tomorrow at 7. I’ll get the suite reserved. Hattie, are you and Dylan in?
Hattie
Really? We’re invited?
Trigg
Of course you are.
Do either of you have jerseys to wear?
Me: I’ll grab some.
Hattie
Oh, no you don’t have to do that, we don’t need jerseys.
Trigg
Yes you do.
Calvin
Yes you do! You’re part of the team now.
Zoey
I hope they get me a new jersey before tomorrow.
Calvin
You don’t need a new jersey, Zo. Just keep wearing the one with my name on it.
Zoey
Yes, I do, Calvin. I need to rep my brother now that he’s on the team.
Hattie
I actually have the day off tomorrow, so we should be able to come. Are you sure? I can pay you for the tickets.
Me: Nope. We’ve got it covered. It will probably be easier if you carpool with the girls though, so you guys can get that arranged.
Grace
This is so exciting!
Me: Oh, Hattie, what are you guys doing tonight? We are all going out to dinner to celebrate.
Hattie
Well Dylan is working tonight, but I can join! I get off at five.
Trigg
Perfect!
Me
See everyone soon! Black Rooster at six-thirty.
An idea pops into my head as I finish sending the message. I call Lydia to let her know when and where we’re going. “Does anyone know if there’s someone here who could make me some popcorn?”