Page 277 of Cross Check

Do I even want to?

I close my eyes and envision myself ten years down the road. What does that look like? Who am I with? Do I have a couple more Stanley Cup championships? Are the ones that I won good enough because now I’m settled with the love of my life while she has her time to shine?

“I’d feel like I was letting you all down if I stopped playing,” I say.

“Why?” Maverick asks. “I’m retired. Riley is going between the AHL team and coaching the Stars. Sully has a season left in him—maybe—and that’s assuming he doesn’t skate off the ice one night because he’s done with you all. Huddy Boy will probably play for ten more years because he’s Superman. But you, Ethan, and Connor are the veterans now. You’d never let us down by putting yourself first.”

“You’re part of the coaching staff.” I glance at Riley. “Have you heard anything about what kind of punishment I’m going to have?”

“No. And that’s the truth.” He pauses. “Amelia is looking at a suspension at the very least. A contract termination wouldn’t be surprising.”

“I don’t get it. She didn’t break a bylaw,” I say. “Not a goddamn article in the CBA mentions fraternization between players and coaches. I made sure to check so I’d have references ready to go.”

“There’s no article because it hasn’t happened before,” Ethan says, and I snort.

“That you’re aware of. You’re telling me no man who’s played in this league has ever had a relationship with another man? Bull-fucking-shit.”

“Hey, G.” Maverick picks a notebook off the coffee table. “Are you ever going to tell us what the hell is in this? You’ve carried it for years.”

“Oh my god. Please tell us.” Ethan sticks out his bottom lip. “I’m dying to know.”

“Amelia,” I mumble.

“I’m not following,” Mav says. “Amelia is in the notebook?”

“Everything about her is in the notebook. Her favorite foods. Her least favorite holiday—Arbor Day, by the way. She thinks trees should be appreciated all year. I’ve written down every important thing she’s ever told me.” I put my elbows on my knees. My vision blurs at the edges, and I wonder if I should eat something. That water would probably help too. “I carry them with me everywhere I go.”

“Holy shit.” Connor whistles. “You’re so down bad.”

“Totally lovesick.”

“World’s biggest romantic.”

“I wish we had my whiteboard, but I have an idea on how to fix your problems, G. Here’s what you’re going to do: You’re going to give Amelia the space she asked for. You’re going to play your ass off in the gold medal game where we’ll be cheering for you,” Maverick says, rattling off a list. “When you get home, you and Amelia will talk. All will be well, and everyone will live happily ever after.”

“Man.” Ethan laughs. “You all make monogamy sound kind of fun.”

“This is not your moment, E. We’ll get to you soon.” Connor throws a pillow at him. “Maverick’s right. You can’t go after Amelia right now. You have to respect what she asked for.”

“There’s a lot on your plates,” Riley agrees. “The article and photos aside, you both have games you need to focus on. You need to play sharp so you don’t give the media another reason to go after you.”

“This is going to be really hard.” I flop back against the cushions. “But she’s worth the wait.”

“Glad we solved this problem. I’m getting on the next flight to DC.” Liam stands. “Who wants to split a cab to the airport?”

“You’re not seriously turning right around, are you?” I ask. “You just got here.”

“I did my part, and it’s time to get back to Piper. I like her better than I like all of you.” He heads for the door. “Oh. I told off a reporter outside the hotel when he asked if I knew how long you and Amelia have been sleeping together. Scared him off for at least a couple of days. Don’t bother adding me to the group chat until next Friday. I’m on a hiatus.”

Liam slams the door, and I actually smile.

“He acts like a grumpy motherfucker, but deep down, I think Liam might be the softest one out of all of us,” Ethan declares. “Flying all the way here so he could make sure you were okay? Telling someone off so they’d stop bothering you? I’d say he loves you, G.”

“Yeah.” I laugh for the first time in days. My brothers always have a way of making me feel better. “I guess he does.”

EIGHTY-SEVEN

AMELIA