Page 91 of Deking
When he loses his lucidity, they pivot and start talking sports with him. By the time the game starts, Dad is chatting like he does when Wyatt is over.
It fills my heart with joy seeing him so happy.
It’s all thanks to these women who have become my friends.
“Are you coming out with us?” Kellan asks.
I don’t want to, but Lyla texted me earlier telling me she tried to wait up, but was going to sleep.
I hate that the postgame interviews took so long. I wanted nothing more than to go straight to the locker room and call Lyla. Especially since I know the girls were planning to go surprise her.
I wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but Cora told me to mind my business. I should have warned her. Will she be mad when she finds out I knew and didn’t tell her?
I won’t know until tomorrow now. I shouldn’t have had a shutout game. I should have sucked a little more.
I shake my head before focusing back on Kellan.
“I’ll come out for a little bit,” I tell him.
He smiles. “Awesome. We are planning to hit the hotel bar.”
I shake my head. We always stay at The Williamson Hotel when we end up in Boston for an away game. The owner donates the rooms to the team, making travel to the city easier.
I take my bags to my room before meeting the guys back in the bar. They all order drinks, but I stick with water. Could I have a drink or two with them? Sure, but I don’t enjoy the way the liquor affects my mind. I’d much rather make sure my friends make it back to their rooms.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. I heard a couple of punk kids were playing a hockey game tonight.”
I turn, seeing Beckett and Clay walking over to us.
“What are you guys doing here?” Kellan asks as he stands to greet them.
Calvin and I do the same, while Jason looks a little starstruck. I forget that he hasn’t had the chance to meet my friends. To him, they are celebrities. To me, they will always be the guys who took me under their wing.
“Hey, guys. This is my protégé, Jason Pender. Jason, this is Clay and Beckett. Our best friends,” I tell him.
He sputters, “Hi. I’m a huge fan.”
Calvin laughs, clapping him on the back. “Bro, chill out. They are normal people like you and me.”
“Dude, they are famous,” Jason hisses at him, making us all laugh.
“Sorry about him. He’s a freshman,” I tell them.
“We know. He must be really good to study under you, though. Wyatt here is the best goalie in D1 hockey. You better soak in what you can from him,” Clay tells Jason, using his captain voice.
“Yes, sir,” Jason whispers, guzzling his drink.
“Let’s go over there before you make a fool of yourself,” Calvin tells Jason, taking him away.
Clay and Beckett take a seat at our table, pulling chairs from the surrounding ones. After they order their drinks, they settle in.
“It almost feels like the old times,” Kellan jokes.
“Almost. We are only missing Brett. I heard you had a shutout tonight. That’s awesome. Good job, man.” Beckett leans over to slap my hand.
“Thanks. It wasn’t worth the press,” I grumble.
“Still a quiet grump who hates the spotlight, huh? Guess we shouldn’t be trying to convince Brantley Gibson to draft you?”
