The eagles goalie is the definition of a sieve
So get ready to drink for fun.
He stays up with me most of the night, talking about everything and nothing.
The kind of talking people do at the start of relationships.
When he finally falls asleep and it’s just me alone in the dark, it’s not only coming out I’m agonizing over. Now it’s him, too.
* * *
COACH STOPS IN his tracks when he sees me at our team breakfast in the players’ lounge. “You sick, James?”
“No.”
Just tired.
He narrows his eyes at me. “Get a nap in before game time.”
“Okay.”
I don’t.
By the time my family shows up, I’m falling asleep on my feet.
I obediently step into Dad’s arms in the atrium of the arena and willingly hug Mom, but when it comes to my sisters, I straight-up launch myself at them. I squeeze Madison tight enough to crack her spine, and Nicolette says, “Oh, me next! That was the longest flight of my life, and I’ve flown to New Zealand.” I do as she asks, and she hugs me back roughly enough to do the same. When I get to Mikayla, I put my forehead on her shoulder and take a moment to breathe.
I love my sisters. If I’m being honest, they’re the only reason I’m still around. I stopped calling my parents once I realized they were never coming back for me. Dad only calls to talk about hockey, Mom only on birthdays and holidays, putting Dad on the phone, too. But I’m always in contact with my sisters, even when I’m just lurking in the group chat.
I should respond more. It’s mostly memes and pointless arguments and tiny tidbits about their days, but they should know I’m paying attention and I care.
Mikayla pulls away only to be immediately replaced by Nova.
Wait.
“What the hell?” I say breathlessly, burying my face in the crook of her neck and pulling her tight to me.
“Surprise,” she says. There’s a laugh in her voice and a heavy feeling behind my eyes. I hear when Bailey shows up with Sid and Karim, Jade with them since Delilah’s already getting ready for her game. This moment would be absolutely perfect with her here. Everyone I care about here in person instead of thousands of miles away, on the phone or my computer screen.
Nova and I hug each other for a few long moments before she backs away and holds me at arm’s length, her smile wide and so different from the ones in her modeling photos. She’s showing her Royals support in dark purple lipstick and glittery black-and-purple eye shadow. Her waist-length blond hair is braided over one shoulder. She’s four inches taller and four weeks older than me, which used to bother me back when we were a thing, before I grew up and realized it didn’t matter.
“Not gonna lie,” she says. “I’m pretty excited for this.”
“When’s the last time you saw me play?” I ask.
“In person?” She takes a moment to think, fingers tapping on my shoulders. “At least two years ago, right? I came to Michigan your first season out there.”
My sisters have had enough of our moment, crowding in around us to give me a look over.
“New team, new tie, huh?” Mikayla says, flipping the bottom of my purple tie up so it almost hits me in the face.
“Are you doing okay?” Madison asks.
“Yeah, dude, you’ve been ignoring the chat more than usual,” Nicolette says. “And you look calm as hell. It seems deceitful.”
I don’t feel calm as hell. I kinda feel like I’m gonna cry.
Bailey and the others work their way in, giving out hugs and it’s good to see yous as the conversation continues. Jade and Sidney both gush over Nova, and there’s a flush in her cheeks from the attention, but her smile’s still genuine.
“If it helps,” Mikayla says, “we’re hitting up a liquor store before dinner. I’ll buy you the fanciest scotch I can find.”
“Scotch?” Nicolette gasps. “That’ll be wasted on him!”
“If he drinks it, it’s not a waste.”
“After-party’s at the men’s hockey house,” Bailey says. “You’re all invited.”
“Laxers aren’t,” I tell her.
“Joke’s on you, asshole, Zero already said we could come.”
“Breaking his own rules.”
“He called it a family event,” Karim adds.
Dorian’s voice is the last thing I expect to hear in this moment, but the shouting is enough to make me look over my shoulder. My team is descending on my family like a swarm, looking all official in suits and ties and wristwatches and hair gel. They make me feel like a little kid playing dress-up every game.