Blades of Glory (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 4)
“How’s Lacey?”
Karson inhales deeply. “Her platelets were down and I asked her not to come, but she doesn’t listen to me.”
I lean my shoulder into his. “She’s good. She’s a fighter.”
He swallows hard, and I know he’s terrified. “That she is. It’s just so unfair. Nicole is not even one.”
I look back up to where their youngest sits in Lacey’s lap. She’s sleeping soundly against her mom’s chest—how, in all this chaos, I don’t know, but kids are awesome like that. I tap my stick to his, and he meets my gaze. “No matter what, you’ve got this whole family behind you.”
Everyone nods in agreement, and I can see the emotion in Karson’s eyes. He taps the boards with his stick. “Let’s go, boys.”
With that, Vaughan goes over the boards, and I follow behind him, almost dropping my stick like a newbie. I dig in, skating back to get ready as the boys come toward us. That Wes kid is fast as hell and has a crazy-good backhander, but I square up with him. I move my stick to the left when he tries to pass it, but this shithead pops the puck over my stick, skates around me, and goes five-hole on Tate.
I let my head fall back as he skates back toward me.
“I’ve been waiting to do that to someone. Now that I know I can, I’m so doing that when the season starts back up.”
“So glad I could help,” I say dryly as he just grins like a kid. Little shit.
We line up for the puck once more, and I glance at the clock. Four minutes until this is over. I really didn’t think I’d want this game to end, but I do. I really want to take these skates off and find the nearest ice tub. I want to eat some mac and cheese and cuddle with my woman. I look over at Erik, who I think is feeling the same way I am. The thing is, we aren’t quitters. I lean over, waiting for the puck to drop, and when it does, I win it back and send it to Shea. He skates it up as we wait for him to dump it into the zone. I chase after it with Aiden on my heels. I know he is going to hit me, so I move to the left, leaving him to crash into the boards. He falls to the ice, but of course, he gets right back up once I bring the puck into possession. I feel him right there; I know he’s going to try to lift my stick and steal it. I can see it on Boon’s face; he’s grinning from ear-to-ear, ready to watch his buddy take down his dad.
Not today, Satan.
I send the puck to Shea, who has set himself up for the one timer.
When it hits the back of the net and the light flashes, I throw up my arms as I look back at my son, who is now very annoyed. I grin as I call over to Shea, “I feel we’ll need to borrow the plane and go on a ‘We kicked Aiden’s ass-moon.’”
Everyone laughs loudly as we head back to the bench, but our laughter is very short-lived, because when the puck drops, Aiden takes it straight to the goal, annihilating his uncle with a wicked lacrosse-style shot. He actually picked up the puck, since no one could catch him, and shot it from the back of his blade. I know he’s been working on that shot, and if he hadn’t scored on us, I’d be proud. I’m not though; I’m salty as fuck.
Truth be told, I should have known it would go down like this. Once Aiden scores, Boon shoots from the blue line, getting an awesome tip in by Wes. Those three are irritating as hell with how good of a line they are. There was talk of moving Wes next season, which would suck, but I really don’t think Elli can with how well they play together. They’re dynamite. As the time dwindles down, the excitement on the other bench heightens. We were all fighting for bragging rights, and while I thought we had this, we didn’t. Too many years have gone by with us sitting on our asses instead of training like they do.
When the buzzer sounds, I look over at my son as he looks back at me. His lips turn up into a heartfelt smile, and he mouths, “I love you, Dad.”
Yeah, we lost. My pride was kicked to shit by a bunch of kids. But in reality, I always win when it comes to my son.
Chapter Five
Postgame
Shelli
I lean on the table as Posey cocks her hip into it beside me in the lounge below the ice. Mom had this awesome space built after our Cup run last year. Fans can pay extra to have dinner here and to drink for free as they watch the game. It’s pricey but worth it. Also, it’s a bomb-ass area for everyone to gather. We have a meal catered in here today for everyone, but I’m ignoring the food and drinks to be included in the discussion of Posey’s nursery. I’m hoping I can find out what gender the baby is before my mom.