Page 54 of Keeping Kyle

“Right? We got goofy.” We looked at each other and couldn’t hold straight faces. “We’d even grabbed lunch today so we’d caught up. Something about seeing him in our first faceoff just made me throw him a smirk and…”

“And we were off from there.”

“Exactly.”

We went on to talk a little about having a friendship that lasted more than a decade with hockey as the background.

I got a couple softball questions about the trade. “I’d like to thank all of the Arsenal fans, coaching staff, and the front office for giving the first seven years of my career a great start.” I spoke from the heart, knowing this would end up rebroadcast in Detroit. “This trade is good for Detroit. As a longtime fan of the team, I know that. I hope to return one day. But for now, I’m off to Phoenix, where I’ll give them my best.”

“Phoenix is lucky to have this one,” G said before the reporter could ask anything else. “He works hard, and he’s an excellent competitor. It’s a lot more fun to play with him than against him. That’s something I know all too well. I look forward to making the cross-country trip in a few weeks to check him out in his new home.”

I bumped G in the shoulder for making this more emotional than I had intended.

The reporter wrapped it up and threw back to the studio. “Thank you both for the time. And for some fun times on the ice tonight.”

Headed back to the tunnel, we kept a slow pace. G asked, “You have time to grab a beer or something before you go?”

“I don’t think so. There’s a charter taking us tonight, but I don’t know timing.”

“No pressure. You know where to find me if you’ve got time to kill. And it goes without saying, you can call me anytime.”

We bumped fists, shot our hands backwards for the explosion, and then hugged.

Locker room chatter ran high. Helson and Feldman were surrounded. They’d been on the team a season and a half. As soon as I began stripping off my gear, guys drifted my way too. Lots of shaking hands, pats on the back, and all the stuff that happens when you don’t get time for a more proper goodbye. The team promised a proper farewell party the next time I was in town.

Once the guys dispersed, Kennedy sat next to me. “Adriana texted and wanted me to tell you that she’s going to miss you. She’ll make sure your picture gets packaged for shipping to get to Phoenix so you’ll have a little bit of home.”

I nodded. I hadn’t taken ownership yet since the show ran another couple of weeks. “I appreciate that.”

“If there’s anything we can do to help, let us know.”

We stood and embraced. “Thanks. It’s been great playing with you.”

“Thirty minutes until we leave!” Jerry, the equipment manager, bellowed from the doorway, kicking everybody into overdrive.

“Shit. I gotta get moving. See you in a few weeks across the dot.”

We had another back-slapping hug.

I hoped someone would show up with details on what we needed to do. Helson and Feldman were dressed and glued to their phones, so I stripped and headed for the shower.

Once the soothing, warm water rained down on me, my facade crumbled a little. A wave of emotions started in the pit of my stomach and vibrated into my chest. I hated every bit of this—not just the move, but that it happened here. A couple of deep breaths helped center me… barely.

The world wouldn’t fall apart.

Mom would be fine.

Bobby would be fine.

Austin and I knew this was coming, and we’d be…

On the way to the airport, I’d call Mom. I probably had a message from her because she would’ve watched the game and heard the news. Even if she hadn’t seen my interview, the commentators surely mentioned it.

I’d message Austin too. We’d have to sort out the innovation summit I was supposed to speak at because I didn’t know if that’d be possible. Maybe I could get back for that and to get some of my stuff. Despite the water temperature, I shuddered.

“Hey, KP,” Jerry called from the shower room entrance, “a car’s here for you guys. It’s waiting by the buses, and they’ll go when you’re ready. I put an envelope of itinerary information in your locker too.”

“Thanks, Jerry. I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you to keep me on track.”