Chapter 15 #2
Our drive from their place to the barn is about as smooth as I anticipate.
To no surprise, he can handle himself comfortably behind the wheel – early learning on country roads I’m told – and the stop and go, we’re in a crunch type of traffic, gives him ample opportunities to learn the unpleasant behaviors of downtown drivers.
I won’t give my blessing to the sixteen-year-old giving someone the middle finger; however, I won’t condemn it either.
Especially not when it’s my front end you almost take off.
At the arena, we’re ushered to the family area where we find Slayers, parents, hatchlings, and best friends all gathered around sporting their respective jersey and cowboy boot combos.
Unlike some of the younger, tinier, females, flouncing around in their cut off jean shorts along with bedazzled hats, I went for black leggings and black beanie in hopes of blending in.
Not drawing too much attention.
Any attention really.
Yes, I want Thayne to know I’m here, see I’m here, feel supported like I mentioned earlier, but I don’t want him to be embarrassed by the fact I’m so much older than the other Slayers.
Or curvier.
He’s explicitly expressed the only opinion he cares about is his own, and I trust him.
Okay.
I’m trying to trust him in that department.
He’s never given me a reason not to.
My insecurities on the other hand?
They always betray me.
That’s why it took me so long to start to wear “fun scrubs” to work on the regs rather than just solid colors.
Kel-C – lead social manager – Pascual – lead social director – Lummy – lead photographer – and Falhaber – lead camera operator – all swarm around the space grabbing snapshots or footage of us naturally lingering before moving onto more coordinated efforts with a bit of help from Hoss, who clearly misses what was once her job.
Afterward, Slayers and hatchlings – and me and Bronny – are escorted to the glass area on the home side where we congregate to welcome the boys as soon as they hit the ice.
Warmies music suddenly begins prompting us all to cheer with enthusiasm and excitement at the indication they’re headed in our direction.
Pre-season footage of the players flashes on the jumbo screens center ice until the lights flick back on for us all to watch this season’s pulled up rookie take his lap prior to Jukes leading the rest of the team out.
While some players take to first slapping around the practice pucks and stretching with a plan to come find their Slayers next, others come greet their family first with a plan to get the juices flowing second.
Frosky is in the latter, shit eating smile too big for Hoss’s liking considering how she gags and tells Bella – who she’s happily holding – to stick her tongue out to convey it.
Alexeyev – Cap – arrives next, wildly grinning at both of his daughters alike.
Bella pounds on the glass and rambles and showcases her fancy, hot pink boots while their headphone wearing baby – with a little assistance from Joey – gently taps the barrier to “participate” in the activity as well.
Photos are snapped by the media team.
Other Slayers.
Myself.
Watching Cap with his kids has me oddly anxious for my own, which is so not a subject we should be anywhere near this early in our relationship.
I mean…right?
Yes, we do…are…kind of…now…living together in a weird way – because of the guardianship situation – and Jukes…
loves…to talk about marrying me – despite not having actually exchanged the love word sentiment – and he is…
steadily…collecting “wedding songs” for the day – he has an actual playlist – but I don’t know.
I’m not sure if that’s just him being him or if…he’s…already ready.
Would it be wrong if he was?
If I am?
When it comes to love…do we have to play the songs in their album order or can we skip around tracks?
“He’s so fast,” mutters Bronny in undeniable awe over watching his big brother block shot after shot with his stick. “Like he’s got super vision or somethin’.”
Giggles are barely swallowed. “That’s how he spots you eating all his oatmeal cream pies.”
“Yeah, I don’t like that.” He folds his arms across his chest, our attention plastered on where Thayne is sliding from post to post, talking to them, breaking in his new dragon claw themed pads. “Or that Idono where the kitchen cameras are anymore.”
Relocated after the fire incident.
“Mannnnnn…” A slow, impressed headshake is executed at the same time Thayne snatches a puck out of the air.
“Look at him.” Another lands in his mitt.
“Bes’ in the league.” His gushing is accompanied by bangs of encouragement against the see through blockade.
“By effin’ far.” I glance over to admire his adoration. “Hundo.”
Seriously.
Can we say swoon?
Like season finale was worth all the angst build up swoon.
Despite their bickering and antics and loud displays of frustration, there’s no doubt in my mind that they love each other.
Honestly?
Their closeness reminds me of the one I have with M.
The excitement to share cool shit.
The ear needed when the day has gone to shit.
The unbreakable bond built to get you through anything.
Everything.
Guilt skates across the pit of my stomach forcing me to briefly shut my eyes.
I gotta tell him.
I wanna tell him.
I just…can’t seem to find the right time.
“Gilly,” Hoss unexpectedly calls to me, pulling my focus over to her and out of my own head, “you two sittin’ in the boxskie with us tonight?”
“No, we’re actually sitting with my parents on the glass behind the goal.
” Hooking my thumbs on the edge of my thigh located pockets occurs as other Slayers with their hatchlings begin passing by her.
“And just in case you were wondering…no. The discounts that I get from being the dental practice that works with the team and having my brother be head coach barely help. Especially when you buy four tickets instead of two.”
They actually always come to the home season opener.
We all do.
Gotta support my big brother.
They just happen to mention wanting to be by Bronny – who I had already planned to get glass seats for to be near his brother in action – which meant having to splurge on their behalf.
And it’s fine.
I can afford it.
Plus, they want to be in his life, and he wants them in his life, and Thayne welcomes the extra support for them both.
Bonus episode twist?
I think their approval will come in my favor when I do finally tell my big brother.
They’re already discussing us all celebrating holidays together.
“You got us glass seats?!” squawks the teen, damn near jumping up and down. “Behind the goal?!” His body twitches uncontrollably. “The home goal?!”
More giggles shake my frame prior to me answering, “Yes. I thought it’d be nice for your first game here.”
“Holyshit!”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Hoss coos against her own volition given the way she frowns after the sound escapes her mouth. “Ugh, did I just swoon? Out loud?” The gag face she makes has me snickering again. “What am I, a girl?”
“Wait…” Bronny tips the brim of his hat slightly upward, “are you not?”
Her immediately glaring precedes her middle finger flying into the air and attention shifting back to me. “Enjoy the game. Tendy’s such a fucking beauty, so I have no doubt it’ll be a shutout.”
“Yesssss!” his little brother roars and turns around to give a pre-emptive victory pound to the glass. “Woooo!”
We exchange small waves leading me to turn around just as my boyfriend skates over. The instant his dragon design bearing bucket is off, he loudly croons, “There’s my Gillybean.”
“Groffee.”
His disapproval is instant. “Jukes.”
“Thirty-five.”
“Jukes.”
“You’re on the ice.”
“And I’m still singin’ all the time.”
There’s no use in fighting his charm or his goofy grin. “Jukes.”
“Much better, Slayer.” His wink is followed by him pressing his mitt covered fist to the glass. “Bronskie.”
“Bro.” He bumps back prior to spinning around to show the name on the back of his sweater with a cocky point. “Reppin’ the fam.” When he turns back around, he proudly points to his feet. “Got my shit kickers on too.”
“Atta boy,” warmly chuckles our netminder. “I made sure Dubs put your favorite cowboy hat – the one Gramps got you – on Mic Drop.”
Giggling isn’t hidden. “You named the dragon on your bucket Mic Drop?”
“Of course,” he laughs off, “and you can see the cord wrapped around his tail,” Thayne states in tandem with twisting it around to show us, “and the pile of jellybeans he’s hoarding between the pipes.”
The sight gets me openly swooning, “They’re yellow.”
“I need my favorite Gillybean with me each night too.”
“Jellybean.”
“Nope.” His pointed finger lightly taps the object. “These have tiny Gs for Gillybean.”
Smiling wider and cooing louder can’t be stopped – despite the fact it probably should.
How can I not though?
He literally got me painted on his bucket so I could always be with him.
So we could always be with him and supporting him and at his side.
If that’s not a Golden Globe worthy swoon moment, what the hell is?!
“Let me grab a pic of you two for Grams,” I lovingly insist while retrieving my phone. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it since she can’t be here tonight.”
We offered to fly her down.
Dubs even offered to fly with her, but she refused.
Insisted she’d just watch him on the T.V.
That in spite of her cough mostly being gone she was still too tired for travel.
That she was too tired for even the simplest things like making herself a hot toddy; however, before we could express our concerns, she brushed us off.
Had Thayne and Bronny both promise to video chat postgame.
Together.
Show her proof that they really are getting along more often than not.
Once my camera is loaded, I click away, capturing serious along with silly shots of them.