Page 210 of Risking the Pucking Defense

Not only do I get the chance to miss him, but I get to catch up on work, and I get to spend time with the girls.

Man, that feels weird. Never in my life have I had a girl group, so to now have one at the age of thirty is a headfuck. I wouldn’t change it, though. I love every single thing about my life right now.

Casey rolls her eyes when she sees what’s in my arms. “I told you not to bring anything,” she chastises lightly.

“I know, I couldn’t help myself,” I explain as I follow her inside.

I’ve only been inside Casey and Kodie’s home once, and that was when we did the press release announcing their relationship. At the time, it was a lovely home, really warm and welcoming, but it seems that since Casey has officially moved in, it’s only gotten better. It’s softer, and there’s even more heart and love in here than there was before.

It’s the kind of home I’ve always secretly hoped for, and a vast cry from the one I grew up in. That was like a show home. Spencer and I were always terrified of messing it up as kids. And as we grew up, it was a place we hated being more and more.

“Oh my god, what is that smell?” I ask the second the scent of a million different spices hits my nose, making my stomach growl loudly.

“Ah, Freya went Indian for tonight. You should try her samosas; they’re to die for.”

My feet move a little faster, and in only seconds, I emerge into the kitchen and find the entire island covered in goodies.

“Wow,” I breathe, taking in all the colors and textures as the scent gets even stronger.

“I went a little overboard, as usual. I figure we can put whatever we don’t eat into containers for the boys tomorrow,” Freya explains. When I look up, I find her cheeks a little pink with embarrassment.

“This is incredible,” I tell her as I abandon my wine bottles on the counter before returning to the feast. “Can I?” I ask, my fingers already reaching for a samosa.

“Absolutely.”

I groan as I take a bite. The flaky pastry crumbles in the most incredible way before the heat coats my tongue.

“You’re okay with spice, right?” Freya asks a beat before it really hits.

“Uh-huh,” I mumble as a fire begins to rage in my mouth.

“Oh gosh,” Freya gasps before she starts filling a glass of water for me.

“It’s okay,” I assure her. “My face always goes bright red with heat; it’s really not affecting me that much.” Okay, so that might be a tiny lie. They’re really pretty spicy.

“That side are milder,” Freya points out.

“Great, I’ll try one of those next.”

Bea starts laughing the second she looks at my rosy face. “Had a spicy one, huh?” she asks, snagging one from the other side of the plate.

“Hailee,” a little voice says as Sutton comes running in behind Bea. Her face is also bright red, but I think that might have something to do with the hockey stick and ball in her hand.

“Hey, Sutton,” I greet with a smile. “Been training?” I ask.

“Always. Gotta beat those boys somehow,” she states, also stealing a samosa from the safe side of the plate.

“Hell, yeah,” Casey agrees. “I’ve put the tiles out in front of the TV,” she tells Sutton, who hisses a “Yes!” and races off again. “I thought I was obsessed as a kid, but Sutton is something else. Nothing is ever enough.”

“I reckon she’ll end up in the NHL one day,” I state confidently.

“But isn’t it a men’s league?” Bea asks. “She’ll play in the PWHL, right?”

“Technically, yeah,” I agree. “But times are changing. Women are making such huge strides in sports, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some really significant shifts by the time Sutton is playing professionally.”

“That would be fucking incredible. Did you see the Seattle women’s team had a record turnout at their game the other week? Phenomenal,” Casey breathes. “I’ll do anything to raise awareness. Kodie, too.”

“Women are the future,” Bea says, holding her glass up for us to clink.