“Hah. Hilarious. That’s more Easton’s nightly routine, not mine.”
I smirk because that’s definitely true. Even though they look alike, they act completely different. Easton has always been the showy one. He loves attention and for everyone to have their eyes on him.
Grayson is much quieter; even when he plays hockey he isn’t over the top with showboating or causing fights. I used to joke with him that he was in the wrong sport because he’s so opposite of all the hockey players we’ve met. Including his dad who is one of the most notorious troublemakers of the Denver Dragons.
“My bad,” I joke. “You know I have a hard time telling you both apart.”
“You’re on one tonight. Are you sure you’re not a comedian?” he deadpans.
“Should I? Maybe I’ll change my career path.”
“No, you’re a much better singer.”
I chuckle. “You’re right. Oh, guess who I ran into?”
“Who?”
“Asher.”
“Hudson? Really? What was he doing there?”
I pluck at my shirt. I should really change because I can feel the sweat sticking to me and I desperately need a shower. And a bed.
“I guess he has a fight here. Have you talked to him at all over the years?”
“Nope. Pretty sure he doesn’t like any of us.”
I hum because I don’t know if that’s necessarily true, but he certainly isn’t friendly.
“Anyway, are you excited to be back home soon?” he asks, lightening the mood like he always does. He may call me Sunshine, but I know that whenever I’m having a bad day, I can always count on my best friend to cheer me up.
“Yeah, that way I can go to all your hockey games and tell you what you need to work on just like old times,” I tease.
“Oh yeah, I’ve missed having my extra coach.”
I know hockey relatively well, I understand the game, the positions, the penalties and all that. I wouldn’t consider my knowledge professional by any means, but it has never stopped me from giving the guys shit after a game.
My tour ends right before hockey season is about to start, just like my mom used to do so she could spend the hockey season with us while my dad would travel, and we would go to as many games as possible. My last show is in Denver because then I’m home. I love getting to spend the winter and holidays at home, it reminds me of my childhood.
All of us are all over the place throughout the year between our careers, but it’s the one time we get to all be together again. Just like it used to be. Even when we go to the cabin near Vail for the holidays, we get to all be together.
“Get ready, I’ll have a whole clipboard full of notes for you after each game,” I tell him with a smile.
“Can’t wait.” I can hear his own smile back.
We hang up so I can change and head to the hotel before leaving in the morning. I think about seeing if I can stay just a little longer, maybe try and have an actual conversation with Asher, but I decide against it. I don’t see the point; if he wanted to reach out over the years he could have.
One thing I can’t help but think about is why he chose to come here. He didn’t have to, and there must have been a reason. My mind is too exhausted as the adrenaline high starts to fade. I pull myself together enough to change and get in the car to go to the hotel for the night.
In the hotel room I want to collapse on the bed, but manage to take a quick shower first. I’m pretty sure I doze off while standing as the hot water hits my skin. Somehow, I’m able to drag myself out of the shower and throw on a T-shirt before falling into the bed where sleep takes over immediately.
The next day,Grayson has a matinee game, so I’m able to watch while traveling to Los Angeles. It’s a preseason game, but that doesn’t take away the intensity. I hardly notice I’m biting my thumbnail while cradling my tablet with the game playing until my manager, Becca, knocks my hand away from my mouth.
I glare at her, and she just shakes her head at me, but doesn’t bother speaking since I have my headphones on and she knows I won’t be able to hear her anyway.
Huffing, I focus back on the game right as there’s a line change, and I catch Grayson hopping onto the ice, getting into position as a defenseman, skating backwards while the opposing team skates toward the Dragon’s net.
The Dragon’s goalie is ready for the shot poised to come his way, but the defense tries to get the puck away before they can shoot it anyway. They interfere a pass and end up taking the puck down the ice to the opposite side of the rink.