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“My brothers will be cheering from home,” I say without thinking.

I never talk about my family with my teammates.

“Aw, that’s awesome, man. How old?”

“Oh, only nine and eight. They’re hockey obsessed.”

“I bet you’re their hero.”

I chuckle, not wanting to be arrogant enough to agree with him.

“Damn, I can’t imagine growing up with your dad, your uncle, and your brother as NHL legends.”

The mention of my father has ice dripping through my veins. Everyone who knows him assumes I had the perfect upbringing. I’m sure it looked like that on the surface. It was far from the fucking truth, though.

I’m about to respond with the words that everyone expects me to say about my father when Coach suddenly shouts out names.

The next thing I know, we’re both back on the ice for what will be our last shift of the night.

The final few minutes of the game go fast. Toronto continues to fight, but with our lead, it’s mostly pointless.

Sweat covers my body, and when the final whistle blows, all I can think about is getting home and falling into my bed.

That thought doesn’t last long, though, because the pounding of the glass beside me catches my attention.

A laugh tumbles free when I find everyone chanting with wide smiles on their faces. Of course, it’s Garrett who really steals my attention. His eyes are sparkling with excitement, and despite the temperature in here, I’m pretty sure there’s sweat beading on his brow, almost as if he’d been out here playing with us.

Despite wanting to let him consume my every thought, I drag my gaze away to the smallest fan along the row.

I stop in front of Sutton, where she’s shouting congratulations to Kodie.

She immediately looks at me, and the second I lift my fist to the glass, her smile widens, and she bumps me.

“Fuck’s sake,” Kodie mutters, although there isn’t any bite behind it. “Have you really managed to get my daughter on your side?”

“There aren’t any sides here, man. We’re on the same team.”

He studies me for a few seconds. “Are we?” he asks simply before engaging with his daughter and girl again.

With one more look at Garrett, I make my way to the tunnel, more than ready to get my equipment off and step into the shower.

The sooner I can get out of here, the sooner I get to spend the rest of my night celebrating with him.

The atmosphere in the dressing room is intoxicating, and before I can stop myself, I discover that I’m singing along to one of Reeves's songs blasting out.

“You know, a smile looks good on you,” Monroe states as he passes me.

“Don’t get used to it,” I mutter.

“Ah, I don’t know. These assholes in here have a way of getting under your skin.”

I can’t help but agree as he turns around to start getting dressed.

Everyone does what they need to do; Fletch and Linc head off to do post-game press, and a few of the guys make a beeline for the trainers’ room. But despite wanting to get home to Garrett, I don’t move as fast as I usually would. Instead, I’m content soaking up the atmosphere with a team I’m really starting to enjoy playing with.

I don’t realize that almost everyone has left until a shadow falls over me.

Lifting my head, I find Kodie standing in front of my stall, wearing his game day suit, ready to head out.