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A lump of emotion crawls up my throat.

Mom used to be that parent for me. Win or lose, she’d pull me in for a hug after a game and tell me how proud she was. It didn’t matter that I was a sweaty, smelly mess. She needed me to know that she loved me. I guess she knew she had to give enough of that for two parents, because the second Dad would get hold of me, there would be no praise, only criticism.

He never did that in public, though. Probably why he didn’t attend many games, and instead, used his powers as an ex-NHL player to get recordings instead. That way he could rip into me at home, where no one could witness it.

We stay where we are a while longer, allowing the parents time with their kids. Because as soon as we go down there, we’re going to cause a scene.

Our presence might have been missed by Garrett, but it certainly hasn’t been by everyone else.

I guess for Sutton and her team, it’s kind of normal to have a bunch of LA Vipers players turn up to support her. But for the opposing team, this could be a whole new experience.

We head down with Sharpies at the ready and spend the next thirty minutes talking to the girls and signing anything they ask us to.

I keep one eye on Garrett, unable to do anything but. He’s sitting on the bench with a laptop now, his fingers working furiously against the keys. But he doesn’t look up. Not once.

He can’t be oblivious to our presence, though. That would be impossible.

I’ve worked with kids over the years. Taken part in summer camps and community events. But being here is different.

They didn’t come to see us. We came to see them, and that hits a little differently.

Eventually, the head coach of the other team drags her girls away so they can head home, leaving us with just Sutton and a few of her teammates who have lingered to hang out with us.

“We’re all going for food, right?” Sutton asks her dad, gazing up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

Kodie glances back at everyone.

“I’m not sure everyone will be able to come. But you’re all welcome to join us.”

A few of the guys make their excuses and head out. We don’t get many days off during the season, so I can hardly blame them for making the most of it. “You coming?” Calvin asks as Sutton heads off to change.

It’s that moment when Garrett finally closes his laptop and walks over.

“Did someone mention food?” he asks, his eyes locking on mine for the briefest moment.

“Yep, Daddy always takes me for food after a game, isn’t that, right?” Sutton says, returning faster than I’d have said possible.

“Sure is, Peanut,” he agrees, gripping her shoulder.

Kodie rattles off the address for where we’re all heading, and we begin moving out.

Garrett’s attention burns as he and Calvin fall into step behind me.

“Great game, huh?” Calvin asks.

“Yeah. Those girls are fantastic,” Garrett praises. “I wasn’t expecting so much speed and accuracy.”

“Sutton Rivers doesn’t mess around.”

“You’re telling me,” Garrett mutters. “She’s got a bright future ahead of her.”

Calvin laughs. “Oh, she knows it as well.”

“Hey, I got an Uber this morning,” I say, turning around to face them as we exit the arena. “Any chance I could get a ride?”

I look between Calvin and Garrett, aware that Garrett also doesn’t have a car right now.

“Yeah, sure,” Calvin says, pointing at his Range Rover. “Jump in.”