Maisie was telling Lexi and Will about the scavenger hunt and Nick realized that what felt like forever ago, had really only been a few days.
“I still think we won,” Maisie said.
Nick turned his head and grinned at her. “How’s that?”
Her gaze narrowed. “The app glitched. I uploaded those photos.”
“Maisie doesn’t like to lose. When her siblings are around, it’s almost obnoxious,” Lexi said.
Maisie gasped, her head whipping toward her friend. “Hey! Obnoxious is a strong word.”
“Two or three Christmases ago, you made your sister bleed during a game of Spot It.”
Nick had the pleasure of seeing Maisie’s cheeks turn red. He reached over, put a hand on her back, and rubbed up and down, unable to contain his laugh.
“It was just her hand. It was nothing.Andan accident,” she told him, her pitch a little high.
“Sure it was, babe. I told you, I like your competitive spirit. Might be best if we just stay on the same team, though, yeah?”
Will and Lexi both laughed, Maisie’s twitching lips suggesting she wasn’t far behind.
“Whatever. My sister and brother both cheat and I’m the youngest so no one ever believed me.”
Nick started to reply but his gaze caught on the TV and he saw the Vancouver-Edmonton game was on. He’d enjoyed his years as a Canuck, but he definitely preferred San Jose’s weather.
He didn’t need the announcer’s voice to know every word being said. Vancouver had the puck, Hughes passed to Petterson, right in the net. A table full of people cheered in the far corner of the lower level of the bar. Maisie looked that way, saw the TV, then looked back at Nick.
“You good?”
He nodded, picked up his beer. He missed it but he couldn’t shake the bittersweet feeling that swamped him when he saw it or thought about the game.
“Your team is scheduled to play here this week, right?” Will asked.
“They are. They’ll get into town on the thirtieth,” he said.
“Will they stay in a hotel?” Maisie asked.
He turned his head. “Yeah. I have all the details in my phone. I’ll have to stay with them that night. I probably can’t and shouldn’t sneak you in.”
Surprise flashed in her gaze but she smoothed it out, and Nick wondered if he’d made a mistake just laying it out there like that. But it was his job and this was part of it.
Maisie nodded, stretching her smile wider, but it didn’t have its typical glow.
He reached out, took her hand, but looked at Will, then Lexi. “Maisie’s coming to the New Year’s Eve game. You guys probably already have plans but you’re welcome to come.”
Lexi leaned into Will, who wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Will we get to sit with the WAGs?”
Will laughed loudly. “Great. Now we’re aReal Housewivesepisode.”
Lexi side-eyed him. “There’s nothing wrong with that. And that’s what they’re called. Wives and girlfriends.”
Will kissed her then picked up one of his beers. “I’m no one’s wife or girlfriend but I’d be happy to go to the game if you want to.”
“Maze,” Nick said quietly, noticing she hadn’t said anything. He thought inviting her friends to the game would help her feel more comfortable.
She turned her head, blinking rapidly. He wanted to pull her into his arms and reassure her that everything would be okay. Once again, he wondered if not talking to her about the possibility ofretiring was a mistake. But he knew, in his gut, that when he got back on the ice, he’d know. And when he told her, one way or the other, he wanted to be sure. If he didn’t retire, they’d need to figure out how to navigate these moments.
The waiter showed up with their food and set it in front of them, clearing some of the glasses. They asked for a round of sodas to have with dinner.
