Zanders pulls his jersey away from his chest, shaking the fabric, and referring to the matching one I’m wearing. I mirror his action with the number eleven uniform I have on as his megawatt smile comes into view, holding my stare.
That is until Maddison comes up behind him and smacks his helmet, probably giving Zanders shit for acting as soft as he does around his own wife.
“No Ella today?” I shift my attention back to Logan.
“She’s here, running around somewhere. Eli’s parents are in town, so she’s with them. You’ll meet them tonight. They’re the best.”
“You didn’t have to change your birthday plans just for us, you know.”
Logan brushes me off. “I’m happy to. I love having you as part of the group.”
Pressing my lips together, I fight back my all-too giddy smile. For the first time in my life, I have friends who want my company for me, and not for the shared last name of my sibling.
It feels good.
36
ZANDERS
Having Stevie at my game, wearing my jersey does a whole lot of things to my possessive side. Outside of my sister, I’ve never had someone at the arena for just me. I have no idea how Maddison has done this, game in and game out since college. Having my girl here steals all my focus. My eyes keep wanting to wander up to the seats to see how pretty she looks with her curly hair and the Raptors’ jersey across her chest, regardless that I’ve had the same view for weeks now.
I almost can’t believe I get to have her here, and it’s as if I need to keep checking to make sure it’s actually true.
“Last shift, Rio, let’s go!” I yell out as my blue-line partner and I take the ice for the final shift of our afternoon game.
The boys have been playing great, earning the most points in the NHL for February, which has translated into the month of March. But more than earning another two points for today’s win, once the final buzzer goes off, we’ll have secured a number one seed in our division for playoffs, something that hasn’t been done in the Raptors organization for years.
Buffalo’s goalie has already left the ice, giving them a six-on-five advantage. But regardless, we’re already up two goals with the final seconds on the clock winding down. And once Rio causes a turnover, shooting the puck down the ice and scoring in the empty net, the celebration begins.
As the buzzer sounds, the guys pile on our goalie for his shutout win. The United Center fills with shouts, cheers, and music blaring for our team.
We were the first organization in the league to secure our playoff spot, and now we’re guaranteed home-ice advantage as long as we’re in it.
The giant mob of my teammates makes their way to the bench, hugs and glove bumps exchanged with the coaching staff before heading down the tunnel to the locker room. But before I make it off the ice, Maddison jumps on me.
“Zee, baby, let’s go!”
I wrap my arms around him. “Holy fuck, we did it!”
We hold on for a moment before taking a second to look around the arena, where red, black, and white cover the stands.
Since Maddison got here five years ago, it’s been our mission to change the culture around this team. We’ve consistently made the playoffs but haven’t lasted long. We’ve been good, but we’ve never been great. This year though, this year we’re great.
And this year, we have a real shot at the Cup.
As soon as I open the door to the Maddisons’ penthouse, Rosie rushes in like she owns the place, just as she does every time she comes over here. She sniffs the couches and toys, looking for Ella, I’m sure, before she gives up and goes to Maddison for love instead.
“Hey, man. Where is everyone?” I close his front door behind me.
Maddison bops around the kitchen with MJ strapped to his shirtless chest as he prepares Logan’s birthday dinner. Bending down for a moment, he gives Rosie the attention she’s so desperately asking for.
“My parents had to swing by the office after the game, but they’ll be here soon, and my brother should be up any minute.”
Taking MJ out of the wrap my best friend is wearing, I grab a seat with him at the kitchen island as Rosie sits attentively next to Maddison, hoping he might drop something while he cooks.
“I told Stevie I was on the way. She should be up here soon.”
“Oh, she already came up. She left with Logan and Ella to go get their nails done as soon as we were back from the game.”
“Wait, really? She came by herself?”
I kind of assumed Stevie would’ve been intimidated to come up alone before I got here, knowing Maddison’s place is going to be packed with Logan’s friends and family soon. But at the same time, I love that she feels confident enough to do it on her own, especially around my people.
Maddison eyes me from across the kitchen island.
“What?” I ask.
“You do know that she and Logan have sat together at our home games for weeks now, right? They’re friends. And Zee, I hate to break it to you, but lately, Ella talks about Stevie more than she talks about you.”
“You’re lying.”
Maddison holds his hands up in defense. “Ella asks Stevie to do her hair at every game, and your girlfriend lets my daughter scroll through her pictures of all the dogs at SDOC. So, good luck beating that, my friend.”
Okay, I’m happy that my people like Stevie, but there’s no need for them to like her more than me.
Holding MJ in one hand, I pull my phone out and text Stevie with the other.
Me: I heard my niece might like you more than me. We can’t be having that, sweetheart.
Stevie Girl: Not my fault that I’m way more fun than boring Uncle Zee.
Me: Boring? I’ll show you boring.
Stevie Girl: Can’t wait.
The smile on my face is painfully big as I stare at my phone screen.
Me: What color are you painting your nails?
Stevie Girl: Go hang out with your best friend.
Me: What color?
Stevie Girl: Why does it matter?
Me: Because I’m going to be seeing them wrapped around my dick later. I feel like I should have a say.
Stevie Girl: You’re ridiculous.
I shoot Stevie a hundred dollars via Venmo with the caption “Red, please,” but she denies it, sending it right back.
Stevie Girl: You’re not paying to pick my nail color.
I send the Venmo payment again.
Stevie Girl: How much do you think it costs to get your nails painted?
Me: I don’t know. $100? Red, please.
Stevie Girl: Fine, this will cover Ella’s too.
Me: Make sure she knows her favorite uncle paid.
Stevie Girl: Don’t worry, I already told her it was from me.
Me: When you get here, I’m gonna have to take care of that attitude you have today.
Stevie Girl: Looking forward to it.
Me: You drive me insane, and I miss you, so hurry up.
Stevie Girl: Ditto to the drive me insane part. And the miss you part. Great game, by the way. I’m so proud of you.
Me: Thanks, Vee. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.
“So,” Maddison says, pulling my attention back to him. “Have you told Stevie you’re in love with her yet?” He tries to hold back his knowing chuckle but fails miserably as his chest begins to vibrate with laughter.