18. Graham

18

GRAHAM

MAY

I lace up my skates for what might well be my last game of the season. We made it into the playoffs, but one more loss and we’re done. Besides that week in November when my hip was giving me issues, I’ve had a pretty good season. No major injuries to speak of. I have the woman I love in my bed every night, and life has been good, really fucking good. The only thing that could have made this year better was winning the Cup.

“Listen up,” Coach calls from the front of the locker room. “This is it. The season is on the line. Go out there and play your game. Keep it clean, but I expect you to fight till the end. If, at the end, that means we pack it up and go home, then that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

Coach leaves us to finish preparing to take the ice. We’re in the conference finals, and the winner of this series moves on to the Cup finals. We were that close, but being down three games to one is hard to come back from. It isn’t impossible, but not likely. The chips are stacked in Chicago’s favor, especially with us in their rink.

I hit the ice, letting the feeling of my skates glide along the frozen surface take over and seep into my body. I get into my own headspace, zoning out all the noise in the arena. The fans are already so loud, and it is only warm-ups.

I glance up into the stands and find Savannah. She’s smiling down as she watches me on the ice. I smile back and blow her a kiss before taking my next drill. I can feel it in my bones that she’s my future. I know deep down that she’s my forever. I just need to decide when to ask her. We haven’t even dated for a year yet, but when you know, you know. Add to that, I’m not getting any younger.

Warm-ups end, and we head back into the locker room until it’s time to take the ice for the start of the game. As much as I don’t want this game to end in a loss, I’m looking forward to the offseason. My body needs the rest, and I’m looking forward to flying out to see my girl perform during this tour.

The final buzzer sounds, and the Chicago players toss their gloves and sticks in the air as they celebrate their win. They beat us three to two. It was a hard-fought game, but in the end, they came out with the victory on home ice. I drop to a knee and suck in a deep breath. I can be both happy and sad at the results. I’m happy because I can take that relaxing breath knowing I have a few months off, yet be sad that we aren’t the team moving on to the Cup finals.

We make it off the ice and into the locker room. The guys are quiet and in their own worlds as everyone gets undressed, through media interviews and showers, then onto the bus and to the airport. The flight home is pretty silent, almost eerie-like.

I make it home, and the silence of being here with only Simon is torture. Savannah should be here soon; the team chartered a second jet for family members. I take the time to unpack my suitcase and change into a T-shirt and shorts while I wait for her to return. I snag a beer from the fridge and head outside on the deck, enjoying the late May weather.

I pull my phone out and start scrolling jewelry stores for rings. I have no idea what kind of ring to get her. Maybe Liz can help me out with that.

I flip over to my Instagram app and pull up the old message thread with Liz. It’s hard to believe that she slid into my DMs just a few short months ago to invite me to that charity event, and look at where that got me, looking at engagement rings.

GWEBBER75:

Hey Liz, I realized I didn’t have your number, and if I ask Savannah, she’d ask too many questions. I need your help with something that she can’t know about yet. Think you can help me? Call me if that’s easier, my number is 555-898-0054.

I hit send before I can think twice, and I hope she gets it and replies quickly.

I go back to scrolling websites. The options are endless, as are the custom options. My phone pings with an incoming text, so I flip over.

Liz:

Hey Graham, it’s Liz. I got your message on Instagram. What’s up, and how can I help?

Graham:

Thanks for the quick reply. I need some guidance on a ring for Savannah. She’s never mentioned what she likes to me, and I don’t want to pick out something she will hate. Do you know what she’d prefer, and how in the hell do I get her ring size?

Liz:

OMG! I’m so excited. And your secret is safe with me. How quickly are you planning on doing this? I have a few ideas of her taste but will try to figure out a way to sneakily get some more specific details. As for her ring size, I’ll get that for you as well.

Graham:

Thanks. I don’t have anything thought out or planned. The need to make her mine forever hit me hard tonight, so yeah, the idea is fresh, and I’ll need time to plan the perfect way to ask her. If you have any ideas on that, I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Liz:

What cities are you going to on the tour? Maybe while on a romantic date while in Europe in a few weeks?

Graham:

That’s an idea. I’ll keep it in mind.

The alarm chimes, alerting me that the garage door is opening. I down the rest of my beer and head back inside just as Savannah comes through the door.

She walks right into my open arms, and the feel of her in my embrace makes my whole world right once again. It sucks the season is over, but with her in my arms, that is all I need.

“Sorry about the outcome,” she says as she pushes up on her toes to kiss me. I tuck her hair behind her ears and lean into the kiss.

“It is what it is. Now, I don’t have to worry about missing your big debut.”

“I can’t believe that’s only a couple of weeks away. I first have to get through the end of the school year, then I can get excited about the tour,” she says.

She’s already been practicing the set list. That way, she is ready for the shows she’ll be performing at over the next two months.

“It will be here before you know it.”

“I know. That also means a few weeks without you.” She pouts.

I tap a finger to her pouty lip. “But think of the memories you will make and the experiences you will enjoy. It will all make it worth the time apart. And you know I love you. That isn’t going to change with a few thousand miles between us.”

“I know, and I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll still miss you while we’re apart. You’d better send me pictures every day of you and Simon.”

“That I can do.” I chuckle. “How about we go get some sleep? Then a lazy day tomorrow before I have to spend the following day at the rink doing check-out.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m exhausted.”

We make our way up to the bedroom and into bed. The exhaustion hits both of us, seeing as how it is the middle of the night. We fall asleep in one another’s arms, right where we both belong.

I sit in one of the conference rooms along with Coaches Bruce Hamilton and Josh Chambers, the team GM, Robert Williams, and the team owner, Brian Davis, for my end-of-season check-out meeting. These can be intimidating for some players, but I don’t find them that way.

“Hell of a season, Graham,” Brian says. “We appreciate the leadership you bring to our team. We’d like to extend a one-year contract to you if that is something you are open to. Where do you see yourself at for next season? Should we be chatting with your agent about that extension?”

“I knew this question was coming, and I’ve given it a lot of thought. Talked it over with those closest to me, I have decided that next season will be my last if the offer comes along. I’m ready to retire and enjoy life outside of the rink, but want one last season to soak it all in.”

“We appreciate the heads-up. We will make it one hell of a season for you,” Bruce says.

“Thank you for that. I look forward to some rest over the next few weeks, but then it is back to the gym for some training so I can keep up with those young guns y’all are going to throw at me in camp come the fall.” That gets a good chuckle from all the men around the table.

“Enjoy that time off. You deserve it. Start thinking about what you want after next season. You’d make one hell of a coach,” Bruce tells me.

“You think so?” I ask. I’d never considered coaching once I retired, but it’s always something to keep in my back pocket.

“I know a leader when I see one. I’ve been at this job for so long, and trust me when I say you’d make a fantastic coach. Look at what you’ve done with Kaden since I paired the two of you up. His game has come along so much. Think of how many more players you could have that effect on if you went into coaching.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I assure him.

“Good, now go enjoy that time off. We’ll see you back in mid-September.”

I head out of the conference room and to the player lounge. The equipment guys have tables of used gear set out for us to sign. Things they will put up for sale to the public, and others they hold for charity auction donations. I stop and sign everything in my section, then finish cleaning out my lockers.

“When are you heading out of town?” I ask Kaden.

“Tomorrow. I didn’t want to be rushed today to make a flight. What about you? Are you leaving town soon?”

“Nope, Savannah starts the Reese Blackwood tour in a few weeks. When she leaves for London, I have a short trip of my own for a buddy from high school’s bachelor party, then I’m flying over to meet up with her in Amsterdam, and we’re spending a few weeks over in Europe together.”

“Have fun, man, but don’t come back married on me.”

“Nah, but maybe engaged,” I tell him.

“No shit,” he says.

“Made the decision after the game the other night that she’s my forever. I’m going to start shopping for a ring this week.”

“Congrats, man. Happy for you.”

“Maybe you’re next?” I ask.

“Fuck no. First off, that’d mean I’d have to find a woman who can tame all this”—he motions to his body—“and two, there’s only one woman who I could see that with, and she hates my fucking guts.”

I quirk an eyebrow in question. This is the first I’m hearing about this woman who hates his guts. “You want to elaborate on that?”

“Her name is Natalie, and she’s the one who got away. We dated when I was in college, and I fucked things up. Badly. She’s blocked me everywhere, so trying to fix what I fucked up won’t be easy.”

“If there’s a will, there’s a way, man. Can you go spend time wherever she lives, over the summer, and try to break through the wall she’s put up? Maybe show her that you’ve changed through your actions?”

“That’s a good fucking idea.” He nods in agreement to my suggestion. “I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that yet. I’ve tried sending her shit that I know she loves, but still nothing, not even a like on an Instagram post.”

“All I can say is good luck. Don’t do anything that will get you arrested, but go after your girl and win her over.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll see what I can do.” I slap him on the shoulder, pulling him in for a man hug before we part ways for the summer.

“You know how to reach me. Don’t be a stranger.” “Enjoy Europe,” he calls after me as I exit the locker room for the last time for this season.