Page 213 of Cross Check

“Thanks for being a great teacher. I’m going to give it my all this season so you can have the sendoff you deserve.” I pat his chest. “We’re going to make you proud.”

“I don’t have any doubt about that. Go get your exercises from Lexi,” he says. “I can’t have my star winger hurting already.”

“You got it, Cap. Wow.” I laugh. “I’m going to say that every chance I get.”

“Good.” Maverick grins. “I’m still in charge until next June.”

“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” I say.

I make it to Amelia’s apartment before her, and it gives me time to get to work.

I set the sandwiches from Pete’s in the oven to stay warm and tie the balloons I ordered to the back of the chair at the kitchen table. The cake goes in the fridge, and I head for the bathroom next, setting up the candles and putting the lighter on the vanity so it’ll be close when we’re ready for it.

Satisfied with how everything looks, I go back to the living room and sit on the couch.

“I’m here!” Amelia’s voice rings down the hall. The door shuts, and her footsteps get closer. “I’m sorry I’m late!”

“You’re not late.” I smile when she rounds the corner and sets her purse on the floor. “I’ve only been here a few minutes.”

“I was worried you were waiting too long.” She drops on the couch next to me. “Hi,” she says with a smile. “How was your day?”

“Emotional as hell.” I grab a pillow and bury my face in it so she can’t see me cry. “Maverick told us he’s retiring at the end of the season, and I’m distraught.”

“Oh, honey.” Amelia pries the pillow away from me and brushes a piece of hair out of my face. “That’s tough news to get on your first day of training camp.”

“It is, but it makes sense. He’s won the Cup multiple times. He’s led the league in points and played at the Olympics. He’s done everything he can, and now he has new priorities.” I sigh. “It’s still hard to process.”

“You’re family, and watching someone leave is heartbreaking.”

“Feels like someone ripped my heart out of my chest.” I wipe my cheeks and smile. “Enough about me. I want to hear about your first day as a head coach.”

“We took practice slow so we could learn everyone’s strengths, and our team meeting was productive. I made it through my media availability and only had one asshole who pissed me off.” Amelia scoffs. “Have you heard of Simon Buttecker?”

“I hate that dude. He said some nasty shit to Emmy when she first joined the Stars, and Maverick exploded on him for being a sexist dick. What did he put you through?”

“The usual misogynistic questions where he asked how I’m going to make sure I’m not a distraction to the team. I’m sure you were asked the same thing today, right?” she deadpans, and I scowl. “It’s fine. I politely told him to fuck off, and he’s given me even more motivation to succeed in this role. I can’t wait to hoist the Cup above my head and prove him wrong.”

“Fuck. That’s sexy, baby.” I lean over and kiss her, smiling when the tension leaves her shoulders. “I could listen to you talk about putting men in their place all day.”

“Good, because I think I’m going to be doing that a lot this season.” She leans against me, humming when she touches the small welt on my neck courtesy of Ethan’s elbow during our scrimmage. “Thanks for being here to celebrate with me.”

“Ready for some sandwiches?”

“I’ve been dreaming about this meatball sub all day.”

“There are some other surprises too.” I untangle our limbs and stand, offering her my hand. She slips her palm against mine, fingers locking in place. “Come on.”

We sit at the kitchen table and talk about our schedules for the next two weeks. I get up to grab extra napkins after a meatball escapes Lia’s sandwich and lands in her lap. She laughs, throwing it at my face when I call her messy, then shrieks when I spray her with the faucet.

I bring out the cake after we clear our plates, kissing the top of her head when she grins at the frosting.

“This looks delicious.” She swipes her finger across the top then licks it. I hold her wrist and bring her hand to my mouth, getting my own taste. “And a great way to end a great day.”

“The day isn’t over yet,” I tell her, wiping a crumb from the corner of her mouth after she takes a bite of cake.

Later, I carry her to the bathroom. I light two dozen candles and draw a bath for her, the steam rising from the porcelain when she climbs in the water.

“Are you going to join me?” Amelia smiles and fixes the messy bun on top of her head. “Or just stare at me all night?”