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“For real, though.” He grabbed the front of Henri’s shirt with his other hand and squeezed it tightly. “You take…you take such good care of Evers. Waaaay better than Soks ever did. Fuck that guy.”

“I uhm…” He looked around, but no one was paying them any mind. “Thanks,” he said again, because what else could he say?

“You’re better at hockey than him too,” Novak continued. “Soks thought he was so fucking amazing. He’s good, but he’s not God’s gift to ice hockey. Like win a fucking face-off clean, for fuck’s sake.”

Henri bit back a laugh, which Novak took as encouragement.

“Can I tell you a secret? I was glad he left. I couldn’t…I couldn’t tell Evers. I knew he was crushed. But Soks was a buzzkill. Such a jackass in the locker room when we lost. Always grumbling in Russian, like we couldn’t tell he was shit-talking us. I could tell.”

“Of course you could,” Henri soothed and patted his arm.

“I’m so glad I got to punch him,” Novak said with glee. “I’ve wanted to do it since he was on the team. Fuck. That. Guy.”

Drunk Novak was...not much different from Sober Novak, honestly. Just louder.

CHAPTER 69

“You know, the Fleur-de-lis are playing too. Against Toronto.” He takes a moment to scoff in disdain at the very notion of Toronto. “It would be fantastic if you played them in the finals. I could see some games.”

Henri was glad his father couldn’t see his grimace. No one had the Fleur-de-lis or the Turkeys getting out of the first round. Never mind that Henri would hate the matchup. He’d rather face his former teams for a chance at vindication than have to lose at home. But looking ahead that far was foolish. He made a noncommittal noise that he hoped didn’t sound too discouraging. Or discouraged.

“Will you be able to watch our game tomorrow? It’s not too late for you?”

“It is late, but I’ll stay up. Won’t miss the first game. I will watch them all, even if I can’t watch it live. I’m very excited! My friends are coming over to watch the afternoon game. Ahh, late afternoon for us, but you know.”

Henri smiled. He could imagine his father in the living room, surrounded by the crotchety old Quebecois hockey fans who breathed hockey. They would sip their drinks and comment on every play and curse in the most incomprehensibly surprising ways. Henri loved watching playoff hockey with his father’s friends because they loved hockey (even if sometimes they loved it so much they sounded like they hated it).

“I will try to say hi if they interview me during that game.”

“No! They will be insufferable if they are on TV in a real NHL game.”

Henri could imagine it and agreed, though he thought it would be well worth it. “I owe them. They’ve been cheering me on since I first put on skates.”

His father grumbled something he couldn’t hear, then said, “Just focus on playing well. That will make everyone happy.”

“I’ll do my best, Papa,” he promised. “I’m excited too. I have a good feeling about this one.”

“Me too, ti-loup. Me too.”

abqtukeysnhl (April 19, 2024): The series is split 1-1 after two games in Tennessee. Join us on Monday as we bring the series to Albuquerque!

luc-henri-sourit (April 22, 2024): Today I bring you a rare Baptiste Senior smile! Baptiste Senior and friends cheering on le petit loup. Bonne chance, Turkeys!

[Photo of six men and four women in a living room. The man in the center is smiling widely and wearing a Turkeys #17 jersey.]

↪ gobblegoals: omg he looks just like his son…

↪ dylaneverett: CLAUDE!!! You know Claude? Tell him I said hi!

↪ luc-henri-sourit: Oui! I know Claude. Or rather, my cousins know Claude. I did not realize YOU knew Claude

↪ dylaneverett: Yeah I met him in Montreal last year. He’s the man. Tell him I’ll get ti-loup some points ;)

↪ gobblegoals: sir, respectfully, AREN’T YOU PLAYING A GAME RIGHT NOW!?

↪ dylaneverett: No it’s the intermission. Waiting for my skates to get sharpened. And I’ve always got time for my man Claude Baptiste

gobblegoals (April 22, 2024): due to personal reasons, i will be melting into a puddle.