12. Teagan

twelve

"Are you sure you're not feeling up to going to my game tonight?" I place my hand on Britt's forehead, checking for a fever. It's not like Britt to miss one of my games, but if she's not feeling good, I don't want her to feel obligated to go.

"Sorry, Teagan. I think it was something I ate." Britt blinks at me, her eyes shifting to the left as she pulls the blanket tighter around her neck.

I know Britt is lying about not feeling good, but I don't have time to quiz her now. I need to meet my parents and brothers before the game.

"Okay. Can I get you anything before I leave?"

"No, I'm fine. I'll watch you on TV so make sure to score a goal for me."

"You got it. My first goal tonight will be dedicated to my best friend and biggest cheerleader." Britt's face blanches. I know I'm laying it on pretty thick, but I know Britt is lying, so I don't feel that bad.

"Tell your family hi from me." Britt is waving me out of the apartment when an idea hits me.

"Since you're not contagious, I'm sure my parents and brothers would like to stop by and say hi since they haven't seen you in over a year."

I struggle to keep a straight face at Britt"s look of horror at the thought of my family dropping by. I know they can be a little much, but Britt's reaction is a little dramatic.

"I-I might be contagious. I'm not sure if it's food poisoning or not." Britt picks at a piece of invisible fuzz on the blanket. "Besides, your brothers can't risk getting sick this year. Their team is in first place in their division."

Interesting, I didn't realize Britt followed my brothers" professional careers. "I'm sure for you they would risk it."

"Well, I'm not willing to let them risk it and be the reason they don't win the Stanley Cup this year."

It's a little unconventional, but my brothers have it in their contract that all three of them must play on the same team, or they don't play at all. They just happen to be that good that no team has ever questioned that clause.

That's just how they have always been: inseparable. They share everything and don't let anyone or anything come between them. I remember one time when they were seniors in high school, and Britt and I were in eighth grade. Torin's girlfriend made a pass at Talen, claiming Talen had come on to her and not the other way around.

Talen denied it, but Torin's girlfriend wouldn't let it go, demanding that Torin choose between her and his brother. Of course, Torin believed Talen over his girlfriend and immediately broke up with her.

From that day on, my brothers have never dated anyone seriously, wanting to avoid the drama of having their girlfriends around each other and possibly jeopardizing their triplet bond.

"Okay, if that's what you want, I won't have them stop by. But I'll definitely make sure to tell them hi from you."

"There's my little Ice Princess."

"Really, Dad? Here of all places." I skate over to my family, who are waiting in the tunnel for me, before taking their seats. I try to ignore the hero worship in the eyes of my teammates as they skate by my father and brothers.

I know my dad is the GOAT of hockey, and my brothers are quickly approaching the same status, but this is a little much. My family is here for me, they shouldn't be disturbed by my teammates fangirling all over them.

"Why the sour look, sweetie?"

"Mom, that's almost worse than Ice Princess."

My brothers smirk at my obvious discomfort with my parents" pet names for me.

It's a little eerie to have three identical smug faces staring at you. You would think I would be used to it after twenty-one years of living with it.

Mom looks over my shoulder. "Where's Britt? She's usually right behind you when you come out of the tunnel."

"She's not coming. She's home sick." The words are barely out of my mouth when my brothers start throwing questions at me.

"What's wrong with Britt?"

"Should someone take her to a doctor?"

"Is she home alone?"

Their smug smiles have changed to identical concerned frowns. I know Britt is like the sister I never had, but their concern seems a little much for someone they aren't related to or in a relationship with.

"She's fine. She thinks it's a bout of food poisoning." I'm saved from any more of their questions as Royal, Fin, and Coulter skate up behind me.

"Are you ready, Teagan?" Fin asks.

"Yeah, almost. Um, guys, I want to introduce you to my family. Mom, Dad, Tarek, Torin, and Talen, this is Royal Reynolds, Fin Baxter, and Coulter Collins," I wave my hand between my teammates and my family. "Royal, Fin, and Coulter are our team captains."

"It"s nice to meet you, and thanks for taking care of our girl. She's told us all about the three of you." My dad pulls me in tight for one of his famous Hayes Hugs. Just my luck, I come from a family of huggers.

"Nice to meet you too, sir." Royal, Fin, and Coulter say as one. Maintaining an air of professionalism and not cowering under the stress of meeting my famous father and siblings.

Pointing at the scoreboard, counting down the start of the game, my mom says, "We better take our seats. Good luck, honey." She waves, leading the rest of my family to their seats.

At five foot three inches, my mom rules our family with a firm but loving hand. She looks so tiny next to my father and three brothers, all well over six foot three inches, just like Fin, Coulter, and Royal. While I'm a comfortable five feet ten inches.

Mom has dressed my family in matching jerseys for today's game. It's a nice change of pace to see my brothers all wearing my number thirteen jersey.

"Are you ready to start your first official College Men's Hockey game, Teagan?" Fin says, pulling my attention away from my brothers.

"Did you say start?" I must be hearing things. I know I've been working hard during practice, but I never expected to win a starting position this quickly.

"Yes, you're starting. Coach Johnson made the decision before we left the locker room. You're starting in place of Mark."

The excitement rushes through my body, and I want to scream at the top of my lungs, but I school my features, not letting my excitement distract me from performing at the highest level. It"s time to go out there and show all the doubters and haters how much I deserve a starting position on the team.