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He couldn’t help but notice how Aaron’s arms flexed against the sleeves of his polo shirt.

“It’s good to see you,” Aaron said. “Sorry about the circumstances, though.”

“It’s annoying not being able to play. I should be in Tampa tonight, but injuries happen. I’m happy to be here, though. Otherwise I’d just be trying to avoid the game and making myself crazy.”

“Pam says you’re here for a couple of weeks.”

They stopped in front of a table draped with a colorful handmade banner emblazoned with Caleb’s name and set the boxes down. There were auction sheets taped down, plus room to display the various items, as well as space for Caleb to sign autographs.

“The city started to feel like a microscope, so I came here.” Caleb studied Aaron now that they were standing still. He seemed nervous, which didn’t make any sense.

“Where your sister puts you on display for the whole town.”

Caleb shrugged. “Yeah, when she gets an idea in her head, it can be hard to say no.”

“Well, if there’s anything I can help with while you’re here….”

“Tutor me some geometry, maybe?”

Aaron looked momentarily confused, and Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Kidding.”

“I wondered for a moment why on earth you’d need geometry to recover.” Color rose in Aaron’s cheeks.

Caleb turned his attention to the table, hoping to steer them away from his bad joke. “So, what do we need to do so we’re ready?”

“Get everything set up on display alongside the forms and keep enough space for you to comfortably sign.”

“On it.” Grant stepped up to the table and started unloading and arranging items. “How will we know who bought an autograph?”

“People buy tickets, and each ticket has a two-dollar value,” Aaron explained. “Pam’s priced Caleb’s autographed pictures at twenty tickets, and pucks at thirty. If anyone brings something for you to sign or if they want a selfie with you, it’s ten tickets. The stick and the jerseys will go during the live auction.”

“That much?” Caleb had done high-profile fund-raising events in the past and knew special items brought in high dollar amounts. But that was the big city and usually for a large charity, not Foster Grove Elementary. He wasn’t sure the people he grew up with would pay that much.

“I guess so,” Aaron said before leaning in to speak quietly. “You’re kind of a big deal, you know. Haven’t you noticed people stealing glances at you since you walked in, especially the kids?”

Caleb glanced around the room, trying his best to not be obvious about it. There were several kids looking his direction instead of focusing on their tables, much to the chagrin of a few frazzled adult volunteers.

“People try to play it cool, but if they don’t know you personally, it’s huge that you’re doing this.”

“Okay. If someone’s willing to donate that much to the school to get me to scrawl my name on something, I’m all for it.”

As if on cue, Grant pulled out a stack of glossy eight-by-ten color photos featuring Caleb in his full Rangers gear—blue home jersey with red and white lettering diagonal across the chest. He held a stick across his body as he smiled for the camera. It wasn’t his favorite, but as the official team picture, it was what he was supposed to use for this kind of event. He felt he was too primped, with every hair just so and looking perfect for the camera.

Aaron stared at the photo.

“Something wrong with those?” Caleb finally asked.

“They’re really good.” Aaron said, closely studying the photo. “But hockey players are usually all scruffy and sweaty. This is clearly well before game time.”

Aaron preferred his hockey players scruffy and sweaty? Duly noted.

“These are taken at the start of the season, before anything has a chance to get marred—the gear or the player. Nothing ever looks this pristine again. I’d prefer a more realistic look, especially since this year it’s like some doppelganger model took my place.”

Aaron laughed, and Caleb had to admit he liked the warm sound. “Maybe James Bond is under there. Peel off the gear and there’s a tux and with a hidden compartment for a martini.”

“Now those”—Caleb pointed at the pictures Grant had just placed on the table—“are much better.” Grant handed one to Aaron to look at. “This was taken just before a face-off. It’s candid, more real. It captures the intensity of the moment.”