That was true. Leo made mysterious adjustments that allowed the Vice to hold leads or come from behind to win games. Sometimes he would explain exactly what had happened and why, but I seldom understood the technical parts. It didn’t matter to me anyway, since I preferred to cheer for the individual players. Learning their personal histories wasfascinating.
Seb Söderlund, Hannah’s favourite, was a cross between a teen idol and a hockey savant. He was a sleek Viking ship, sailing in from nowhere to create a beautiful play. I wasn’t sure if she liked his hockey skills or his long blond hair, but I was happy that she had found someone safe and unattainable for her firstcrush.
I liked the captain, Paul Thiebault, who had once played in the NHL and suffered a serious career-threatening injury. He had fought hard to rehabilitate himself and returned to new success in the AHL. I wasn’t sure if I preferred his second chance career or that he was a handsome French-Canadian. I definitely had a fondness for Quebeckersthesedays.
Tristan’s favourite player was Dave Dominick, a bruising defenceman. When he delivered a crushing open-ice hit, Tristan’s whole team had crooned, “Doooommmmm!” along with much of the arena. But he had his own off-ice story. Amanda told me he had battled alcohol issues and now led sobriety programs back in his First Nations community. So many players on the Vice had their own heroic tales, which made me proud to cheerforthem.
During the third period, character really came into play. Despite being called for two more questionable penalties, the Vice managed to fight back and tie the game, and then they’d scored a goal with only three seconds left on the clock. The crowd went absolutely crazy, and the girls and I hugged each other in sheer glee. Hockey was the most excitingsport.
Afterwards, I wondered if I should wait for Leo or just take the kids home. Lately, he’d been taking longer and longer to finish up. Apparently, the Vice were actually getting media coverage this season, so Leo had to do interviews along with all his mysteriouspaperwork.
“I think we better go home,” I told the kids. “We have to drop Charlotte off, and Leo has a lot of work to do afterthegame.”
“No, no,” Charlotte said. “I texted him, and he said he’d be right out.” She held up herphone.
Sure enough, Leo appeared from around the corner. He strode towards us with a huge smile and the hyper-look that he got after a big win. It was adorable and meant he was really happy. Charlotte jumped on him, and he held her onhiship.
“You’re so early,” I said. “Don’t you have interviews andstuff?”
“I delegated. Walshy’s doing the talking tonight. Give the media something new to write about. Besides, if I wasn’t here early enough, we couldn’t go out fordessert.”
“What? We’re going for dessert?” Tristan’s eyes lit up. I had noticed him consuming junk food the whole time he was here. He’d been too nervous to eatdinner.
“That’s how we celebrate a big win,” Leo replied. “You did well outthere.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t nervous at all,” Tristanbragged.
“Okay, let’s go.” He put Charlotte down and put an armaroundme.
“I still can’t believe you’re here this early,” I saidtohim.
“How could I not be early when all my favourite people are waitingforme?”
I smiled. But it was true. Leo was never going to change his workaholic ways, but when he was away from the rink, he gave us his completeattention.
“Someone has his priorities onstraight.”
“Definitely.” He leaned over and kissed me. Not just a polite kiss, but a firm, wet kiss that made my insides marshmallowmushy.
Tristan groaned. “Mooooom, Leoooo,noooo.”
“It’s okay,” said Charlotte. “They love each other. Just like MinxandMao.”
We all laughed at this remark, and Charlotte beamed. “Do you think we could have a cat wedding? Then they could havekittens.”
Leo and I exchanged an amused look. “Do you want to take this one?” Iasked.
He shook his head. “Let’s let Hannah explain what ‘fixed’means.”
The kids walked ahead of us. Hannah was talking and making hand motions. Charlotte was smiling and nodding, then her expression turned to one of utterhorror.
Leo and I burst outlaughing.
A gigantic player named Marty Devonshire jerked his head around at the sound. When he saw Leo laughing, he did a double take at his happy coach. Leo was stern and all-business at work, but he was a completely different person after hours. The sweet openness and affection he’d always shown to Charlotte was now extended to allofus.
I hugged him hard. Leo smiled at me. “What’sup?”
“Just thinking about how happy I am with you,” Iconfessed.
“Yeah, me too. We’re proof that you can have your cake and yourpietoo.”
I giggled and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t everchange,Leo.”
TheEnd
