Page 235 of Cross Check

“Douchebags aside, how was All-Star weekend, Grant?” Riley asks. “Everything you hoped it would be and more?”

“It was a lot of networking and making new friends—no, Ethan, I didn’t replace you,” I say when he opens his mouth to protest. “But I had a good time. It made me feel like I have a spot in the league, and I’d be happy to go back if I was selected.”

“Next year is an Olympic year, so there’s no All-Star game.” Maverick stabs his pasta and takes a bite. “Blogs are already talking about who they think will make the U.S. roster.”

“Damn. I get to kick your asses on the international stage, don’t I?” Ethan grins. “Canada is the superior country.”

“I like Tim Horton’s,” Connor says. “Their Timbits are addicting.”

“Don’t we go to Vancouver soon?” Riley asks. “Wonder if we can get the team to order some for the plane ride home.”

“Well, well, well. Look who suddenly loves the Great White North after all the teasing about our culture.” Ethan crosses his arms. “Not sure you all are deserving of our beloved Timbits.”

“There’s one in Maryland.” Liam taps his phone and holds up a map. “We don’t need to suffer through a Canadian winter for doughnuts when I can tip a delivery driver to bring them to us.”

“Maryland?” Ethan grabs Liam’s phone. “Buckle up, boys. If you thought I was a good player before, wait until I’m fueled by my favorite type of sugar. I’m going to be fucking unstoppable.”

“I was going to mention how much the younger guys have grown up, but Richardson is still the same.” Hudson laughs. “That’s why we love him.”

“Speaking of Vancouver, this is our last long stretch on the road before the playoffs,” Maverick announces. “I’m proud of the effort we’ve put in this year, and if we keep up our intensity, we should have a nice seeding for the playoffs. Just hope we don’t have to play Boston.”

“I hope we get Baltimore,” Riley says, and I perk up. “We’d match up well against them physically, and they play with more intensity than some of the younger squads around the league.”

“The Amelia Green effect,” Liam says, and I drop my fork. “What’s your problem, Everett?”

“Slipped out of my hold.” I flash him a smile. “What do you mean the Amelia Green effect?”

“Stay in the league long enough, and you’ll learn there are two kinds of coaches. Some rely on star athletes to make all the decisions on the ice. Others make calls based on instinct rather than player personnel,” Liam tells me.

“Saunders and Green are the latter,” Maverick says. “I was used to the former when Coach joined the team, and it was an adjustment to get out of that me mindset. When I did, we started winning. He knew the sport so well, he could create plays that pulled on all of our strengths without having to rely on me to be the only offensive threat. It was a game changer.”

“Coach Green does the same,” Hudson adds. “Her fundamentals are damn good. Baltimore is going to go far with her in charge.”

I could fucking explode with pride.

Hearing the guys I love talk about the woman I love lights me up.

And fuck, do I love her.

I’ve loved people before: My teammates, my family and Hannah. Emmy, Lexi, Piper, and Madeline. The sensation isn’t new, but the depth of it is.

Every time I pulled my fist back and hit Brady Williams in the face, all I could see was Lia. I was ready to sacrifice my body and reputation to protect her.

I just wish I could tell the guys how I feel.

Lia told her friends about our relationship, but I have to be more careful. I trust my brothers, but I don’t trust anyone else. One mistake, and that could be it for us. We’d be over before I had the chance to tell her how I feel, and that’s not happening on my watch.

“Some of her players were on my All-Star team,” I throw out casually. “They like her in the locker room.”

“Emmy does too, and it’s not just because they’re friends,” Maverick says. “She thinks Green is going to be the one to take them all the way, and my biggest hope is for Emmy to get the flowers she deserves. If Coach Green can make that happen, she has my full support.”

“Where is Em tonight?” Ethan asks. “She’s my favorite out of the two of you.”

“With the girls,” Riley and Hudson say at the same time.

“That’s no way to talk to your captain, Easy E,” Maverick grumbles.

“She’s my favorite too,” Connor chimes in, and Mav flips them off.