Page 123 of Slap Shot
“Quit while you’re ahead, dude.”
He laughs. “Fine. Look. I know being patient sucks, but it’s going to pay off in the end. I promise.”
“You’re right,” I relent.
“Holy shit. Say that again, Huddy. It’s music to my ears.”
I smirk and shove him off of me. “How are you and Em doing?”
“We’re good. I’m in it for the long haul with her, and we have options if things don’t pan out quite the way we want. We’ve talked about adoption, and we’re both more than open to it. We’ll see how the next few months go.”
“And you’re okay? I’m sure being away from her isn’t easy. Different schedules, different road games. Y’all are taking time for yourselves, right?”
I can’t imagine the pain they must be feeling, and sayinghang in theresounds really fucking insensitive. I hated when people told me that after Mom passed, and sometimes hearing nothing was a hell of a lot easier to listen to than forced sympathy.
I remember the days when I couldn’t leave my bed. Maverick would come to my apartment, sit next to me on the comforter, and not say a word. He’d stay there for hours, only moving to bring me a bowl of soup that he hand-fed me so I could put something in my body.
“I’m… I’m not fine, but I’m hanging in there, you know? Being here with you all helps. Doing stuff like going to the All-Star Game helps. Just trying to stay positive,” he mumbles.
“I’m here,” I say. “No judgment. No questions asked. For anything.”
“I know.” He smiles my way. “And I’m glad.”
We stop outside my building, and I shiver. “Are you okay to get home? Want me to keep walking with you? You didn’t have anything to drink tonight, right?”
“Nah. I’ll manage. And I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in months. Not my jam anymore.”
“I’m proud of you, Mav. Not for the not drinking part, even though that’s great. For all the other stuff. When the time comes, you’re going to be the best dad. Your kid is going to be so fucking lucky.”
“Future starting center at Michigan, even if we have a girl. Especially if we have a girl. We’re going to break all the fucking glass ceilings, just like her mom,” he says before grabbing my shoulders and pulling me into a hug. “Look at us. Two fucking simps for our women. You taught me right, Huddy.”
I laugh and squeeze him. “Stop. I don’t have a woman. You’ll let me know when you’re home?”
“Yeah. I will.”
“You’ll give Emmy a hug for me and let her know she’s my favorite of you two?”
“I always do.”
“Good.” I pat his shoulder and pull away. “Go get warm, Cap.”
With a grin and a tip of an imaginary hat, Maverick strolls down the sidewalk, whistling a tune. I nod to the doorman, grateful for the heaters in my building’s lobby. I wait for the elevator, pulling out my phone and finding a message from Madeline there.
Madeline
*Attachment: 1 image*
Had to send this to you.
I grin at the photo of Lucy curled up between Gus and Millie on the floor. All three are fast asleep with a blanket tossed over them, and I tap the screen to save the picture.
Me
So much for the beds we have for them, right?
Madeline
They’ve been like this for an hour. I haven’t moved from the couch because I don’t want to disturb them.
