The United Center has become my second home as I go into my eighth year in the league, but I think I’ll be spending more time here this season than I ever have before. Between my games and Ryan’s games, I may as well move in.
Leaving directly for the airport after tonight’s home opener has been looming over me for weeks. I’m not all that excited to face the reality of Stevie not being on the plane, but there are too many good things happening for her in Chicago for me to wallow in self-pity. One being that for the first time in her twin brother’s professional career, she can attend every one of his home games because she’s not traveling during the same season.
Stevie is pumped about it, and I know he is too.
“Zee, you ready?” Maddison slips his suit jacket back on after our first win of the season.
I grab my wallet, phone, and keys to follow him out of the locker room.
Fans line the barriers outside, wanting a picture, an autograph, or even just a glimpse of the latest Stanley Cup champs. And I appease them. It’s all part of my new image where I’m completely and utterly myself.
Shockingly enough, fans like me more now than when I was putting on an act.
Maddison’s and my new agent is a family guy who understands the kind of people we are. He doesn’t pressure us into keeping up appearances and only brings us opportunities that we’d be comfortable with. Both he and the Raptors organization have prioritized showcasing Active Minds, and the charity has gotten a ton of recognition over the past few months once people learned I was an equal founder.
It’s nice to have not only a new agent who is in my corner but an entire hockey franchise. I finally feel like I can be myself without being punished for it.
Rich’s client list is teetering dangerously close to zero. He, of all people, knows the paparazzi loves a good scandal, and word travels fast. Once other athletes got wind of the shit he pulled with me, not telling me I had a contract offer on the table, they started firing him one by one.
But Rich missed out because the duo Maddison and I have now is endlessly more popular than the one we played into for years. Who would’ve thought Chicago fans would love the dog-dad, stay-in-on-the-weekends-with-my-girl, happy, and authentic version of myself?
But don’t get it twisted. I’ll still throw hands on the ice if you come at my guys. One thing that will never change is how endlessly protective I am of my people.
“Uncle Zee!” Ella runs at me once I finally make it to the players’ parking lot, past the fans. “What you get me this year?”
I pick her up, carrying her to where her mom and Stevie wait. “Hmm. I don’t know. You’re four now. I think we should upgrade. What do you want from each city we visit?”
“Maybe like a new outfit or a doll.”
From magnets to dolls. Quite the upgrade.
“You want a doll from every single city we visit? That’s a lot of dolls.”
“Yeah,” she plainly states, popping her shoulder as if thirty-one dolls is an entirely reasonable ask. Her emerald eyes go wide as she looks over my shoulder. “Hi, Daddy!” She squirms out of my grasp, running over to him instead.
I pop a kiss on Logan’s cheek and give MJ a little tickle on his belly to hear his new laugh before finding Stevie waiting by my Benz parked next to Maddison’s truck.
I swing both my arms around her shoulders, swaying.
“Good game.” She runs a hand down the length of my back. “That fight was pretty sexy. Did things to me.”
“I know, right?” I show off my face, turning it from side to side. “Look at this money-maker. Untouched and still as flawless as ever.”
She playfully rolls her eyes, but she’s used to my mouth by this point.
“How’d it go with Teddy?” We both look down at the overly excited terrier on the ground, wagging his tail so fast you can barely see it.
“Great. Cheryl said her inbox is full of people wanting to set up a time to come by and meet him.”
“Rio said he’s interested.”
“He should call SDOC after your flight. He and Teddy would actually be a good match. They remind me of each other.”
Teddy stares at us, eagerly wanting some attention. “I can see it.”
I melt into Stevie, hiding my face in her neck. “I don’t wanna go,” I mumble against her skin.
“You’ll be fine,” she laughs. “Tell Indy I said hi.”
“I cannot believe you convinced her to move in with your brother. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”