“Absolutely,” Will said behind them. “Lexi brought the dessert tray in from the kitchen last night and I was anxious for her. And the rest of us.”
“Hey,” Lexi said around their laughter. “I was just fine, thank you.”
“Every now and again she offers to serve something at Side Tap and there’s a chorus of nos,” Ethan teased.
“You’re all mean,” Lexi said, a smile in her voice. She was always the first to admit to her poor waitressing skills.
They all laughed, the sounds echoing above the speaker system playing music.
The security guard, a tall, stoic guy with a ball cap pulled low on his head, gestured to a room. “Visitors’ room.”
With that, he left them to wander in on their own. The room was huge and as Nick had told her, there was food set up buffet-style along one wall. Taking it in quickly, she saw a small kitchen, a couple of restrooms, a variety of seating, and some TVs which seemed weird, since there was also a wall of windows overlooking the ice.
Ethan and Will talked to others, both of them easily adaptable to all social situations. Lexi stayed at Maisie’s side as she walked over to look at the ice.
She wanted to share all of the things making her hands shaky but they weren’t really hers to tell. Would he get on the ice? Would he be okay?
“You’re really stressed,” Lexi said quietly, her side pressed to Maisie’s.
“It’s his first game back. I just want it to go well.”
Lexi leaned her head on Maisie’s shoulder, linked their pinkies together, and tears threatened. Maisie was so grateful for everyone she had. Her parents weren’t always what she wanted, but they were there. Who did Nick have? She knew he and Ellie were close but she also knew, being a younger sister, he shielded her from some things to protect her. Maisie wanted to be Nick’s person, but the closer it came to him needing to go back to his real life, the more she wondered where she’d fit. If she’d fit. Would he miss birthdays and Christmases like her dad did?
“He’s just as into you as you are to him,” Lexi said, lifting her head.
Maisie turned hers to look at her friend. “Of course. He’d be a fool not to be, right?”
Lexi held her gaze long enough for her to know that her bestiesaw right through her bravado. More people trickled in, some of them wearing Guardians jerseys. Since she didn’t follow sports beyond the obvious Taylor and Travis phenomenon, Maisie didn’t recognize any of the people, didn’t know if there were players’ wives and girlfriends here.
“Have you thought about going to a game in California?” Will asked, coming up to them, putting an arm around Lexi’s shoulders as Ethan stood next to Maisie.
“Not really. Trying to go one day at a time.” A Zamboni emerged onto the ice from one of the tunnels. There was no way she’d admit that she listened toHockey for Dummieson two times speed and that was the only reason she knew what that machine was called. She’d never really been into sports besides the ones she played in gym glass growing up. Photography had always been her thing. She’d loved it since she was little. Even now, she saw how excited people were about watching the actual game and all Maisie could think about was Nick. What was he doing right this minute? Did he get his uniform on? Was he okay?
Will leaned in front of Lexi to look at Maisie. “Congratulations on the gallery showing.”
Her smile came easily. “Thank you. I’m very excited. I didn’t realize I wanted to explore this avenue as much as I did until she asked.” She had an idea for a new series of photographs that would focus on finding the beauty in the broken. She’d gotten the idea when she spotted a wildflower growing through a crack in the cement and it pulled at her heart strings.
Ethan nudged her shoulder. “Big-time gallery showings, dating a hockey player. Our girl is going to leave us in the dust.”
Glancing at Ethan, she rolled her eyes and smiled. “As if. I love Seattle. It’s my home.”
“Have you talked to Nick about that?” Lexi asked.
Maisie’s gut clenched. “No. Not yet. He needs to get throughtonight, get back on the ice, and then we’ll figure things out.” She had to believe they’d figure things out because she’d never felt for anyone what she did for him. Only she would fall in love with her one-night stand. Worst one-night-stander ever.
“Let’s grab some food before everyone else eats it all,” Ethan said, stepping away.
“Don’t worry,” a curvy redhead with pretty freckles across the bridge of her nose said to Ethan with an extra-wide smile. “They keep filling it.”
“This might be my favorite place,” Ethan said, walking with the woman toward the buffet table.
“That took a solid ten minutes for him to meet someone,” Maisie said under her breath, making Will and Lexi laugh.
They got to people watch as the stands filled and even though they were somewhat removed, Maisie could still feel the excitement and energy building. More people crowded into the room, including some pretty boisterous guys decked out in Guardians swag—jerseys, hats, foam fingers. Though there was a daycare next to this room with licensed sitters, several kids were weaving in and out of the adults, hyped up as people enjoyed drinks and food. There was an undertone of unity, camaraderie, all of them there for the same reason. She wished Colton and Jake were here. And Ellie and Asher for Nick.
When the teams started to make their way onto the ice, things really ramped up and Maisie wasn’t sure if she was excited or just nauseous. Watching the Guardians leave the tunnel, she waited for Nick, hands clasped to her chest, her heart rate close to frantic, wanting to see him come onto the ice, wanting to cheer him on even if he couldn’t see or hear her.
When she didn’t see him, she turned to the TV to look at the Guardians’ bench.
