Chapter 31

THIRTY-ONE

Anders

The game against Philly is rougher than I expected, and sure enough, I wind up dropping the gloves after one of the D-men gives our goalie a shot to the knee. Normally, we’ve got Wolf and Zakk to handle that kind of thing, but neither of them are on the ice and the refs either don’t notice or don’t care, so I step in. Luckily, I don’t embarrass myself and my teammates all tap their sticks as I skate over to the penalty box.

I look up in the direction of the seats where Claudia and her parents are sitting, and amidst the sea of orange-clad Philly fans, I see some aqua and white. For some reason, I like knowing she’s here. That she brought her parents. The look on her face when I showed up at her office.

I’ve never felt like this about another human being, and the fact that it’s carrying over into my work says something.

And now I’m going to meet her parents.

I might even be a little nervous about it.

I’ve met the parents of women I’ve dated over the years, but never quite like this. In those cases, they were women in my hometown where we already knew each other’s families or were getting reacquainted after we began seeing each other. This is completely new, and for the first time in my life, I wonder if they’re going to like me. More than that, will they be okay with me dating their daughter?

It’s irrational, because they have no reason not to like me, but I can’t help but feel a moment of insecurity. Claudia has told me a lot about them, and they seem pretty relaxed, so I’m trying not to overthink it as I get dressed.

“Are you bringing Claudia and her parents back here?” Johan asks me as I pull on my jacket.

“Yeah. She just texted me that an assistant is bringing them down.”

“You look nervous.” He leans against the locker.

“I’ve never met parents in this situation before.”

“It’s going to be fine. They’ll like you.”

“What if they don’t?”

He shrugs. “There is nothing you can do about that. Just be yourself. You want me to come along for moral support?”

I hesitate.

I shouldn’t need moral support, but what I feel for Claudia is too important to leave anything to chance. Johan might be the perfect wingman for this because I’ve never been nervous like this before.

“Where are you going?” Aiden asks, falling into step with us. “Aren’t we going to the bus?”

“You are,” I say. “I’m meeting up with Claudia and her parents.”

“Oh. Cool.” He keeps walking with us. “I want to say hi.”

I start to protest but Johan elbows me. “Distraction is maybe a good thing,” he murmurs.

Fine.

Claudia and Aiden obviously spent time together in Florida, so it makes sense he’d want to say hello.

I see her as soon as we round the corner to where I was told to meet them since this isn’t our arena and I don’t want to wind up in Philly’s locker room.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I lean over to brush my lips across her cheek.

“Hi.” She smiles sweetly.

She introduces her parents, Jeff and Laura, and I introduce Johan and Aiden. Then we stand there talking about the game, which her father seems to have really enjoyed. Her parents are as laid back as she said they would be, so it doesn’t take long for my nervousness to fade away.

“What a game,” Jeff says, shaking his head. “I’m more a football guy, but now I’m going to have to pay more attention to hockey. Although I’m not sure I can be a Lauderdale fan.”

“Quite all right,” I say diplomatically. “I wouldn’t expect you to abandon your home team.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be abandoning them since hockey was never on my radar.”

“I, for one, will be wholeheartedly following the Knights,” Laura says. “In fact, I need a jersey just like Claudia’s. Sooner rather than later.”

“I can take care of that,” I tell her with a chuckle.

“Fine,” Jeff says, shaking his head. “I guess I need one too. I can’t be the only one in the family without a Nyberg jersey.”

“I found it difficult to follow the puck,” Laura says, frowning, “but Claudia says we can watch some games online. Maybe that will help.”

“Sometimes it’s nice to sit up high,” I say, “even though those are technically the cheap seats. The higher you are, the better the view, and I find you don’t lose sight of the puck that way.”

“Oh!” Laura looks excited about this. “We’ll have to try that. When do you play here again?”

“In January, I believe,” I say. “Although we’ll be in DC in November. I think Claudia’s going to try to get to that game.”

“I think it’ll be more fun to go to a home game,” Jeff says. “The home crowd is always more fun.”

“Any time,” I say, nodding. “Just let me know and I’ll make sure you have VIP tickets.”

“Sounds great.”

Johan and Aiden ask about Claudia’s new job, the possibility of Hana getting hired, and we chat a few more minutes before I see one of the assistants motioning to us that it’s time to go.

“I’ll see you at the hotel,” I tell Claudia quietly. “You’re all right getting there on your own?”

“I was born and raised here,” she replies with a smirk. “Don’t worry about me.”

“It was good to meet you,” her father says, extending a hand.

“Likewise. I’m looking forward to spending some time with you tomorrow night.” I shake his hand with genuine affection.

“As am I.” He nods and I’m surprised when Laura leans in and gives me a warm hug.

“It’s so good to finally meet you,” she says. “Claudia has told us so much about you—I wasn’t quite sure you were real.”

“I’m very real.” I nod solemnly.

“He has to go, Mom,” Claudia interjects.

I reluctantly give Claudia a quick kiss and then head for the bus.

I hate leaving her like this, but there’s only so much I can get away with on road trips. It’s technically against the rules to have someone stay with us in our rooms too, but pretty much everyone breaks that rule. Especially the guys with wives or girlfriends. The single guys tend to be more careful, simply because it’s one thing to get caught with your wife or live- in girlfriend; it’s something else entirely to get caught with a random hookup.

“I think that went well,” Johan says as we settle on the bus.

“Yeah. I hope so.”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Aiden asks. “I mean, you haven’t done anything to hurt her and that’s usually the reason parents get tweaked about a guy their daughter is dating.”

“Speaking from experience?” I ask dryly.

Instead of the laughter I expect, his eyes are suddenly hooded. “We all make mistakes when we’re young.”

“We make mistakes now too,” Johan offers. “We just try to make less of them.”

“And to not make the same mistakes,” I add.

“Yeah, well, that’s a lesson that’s harder in practice than theory,” Aiden mumbles. “Anyway, this isn’t about me. I’m glad you and Claudia are doing well. Like I always say, I don’t think I’m cut out for love and monogamy and all that.”

“Maybe not,” Johan says, “but you won’t know unless and until you meet someone special.”

“For sure,” I say firmly. “I didn’t think I was ready after the fiasco with my ex, and then—bam! Claudia slammed me into the boards of love.” The hockey joke makes them laugh and the mood gets lighter.

“I’m avoiding those boards like the plague,” Aiden says, “but I’m happy you guys are all doing your thing.”

“Not me.” I don’t realize that Jordan is listening until he joins the conversation. “I let a woman drag me around by my balls during my rookie season and she cost me almost everything. Never. Fucking. Again.”

“You were eighteen,” Johan points out calmly. “Your views will change now that you’re getting older.”

“I’m older and wiser,” he says. “Wise enough to know women are trouble.”

“Not all women,” I say firmly.

“Definitely not all women,” Johan agrees.

“I have to agree with them,” Aiden says. “In my case, I was the problem, not the woman.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure there are nice girls out there, but I don’t know any and I’m not willing to risk my career to find one. Maybe when I retire.” He shrugs and leans back in his seat.

There’s undoubtedly a lot of advice us older guys could give him, but there’s no point. He’s still only twenty-one or so, and it’s better for him to focus on his career anyway. When and if the right woman comes along, there’s nothing you can do to stop the feelings.

I’ve found this out firsthand.

And I wouldn’t change a thing.