36. Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

ETHAN

J ust one more game and then we find out if we are in the Stanley Cup Final.

We're facing the New Jersey Thunderhawks. On the other side await either the Colorado Blizzards or the Vegas Cyclones. One way or the other, defeat is not an option. We're taking this winning streak into the history books, and I won't let anything stand in my way to lead the team to victory.

However, at this stage of the championship, the guys are all playing like a swarm of killer wasps. They are all fiercely focused but are doing things on autopilot.

Leave it to Mia to organize something to let us blow the steam off in a civilized manner. The kids are allowed to skate with us, as are the girlfriends and wives if they'd like.

And the best part of all? No jerseys, no pucks, no sticks at all. The last thing I want to think about is hockey right now, and the irony isn't lost on me that skating on the ice helps to achieve that.

Senna has me chasing him around the rink for laps on end. It is a race just between him and me, and I have fun letting him beat me.

"I'm going to win, daddy!" he shouts from over his shoulder, while I keep on skating right behind him.

"Oh no!" I throw my hands in the air comically. "What will I do?"

"You'll have to catch me!"

And the little rascal laughs, and I join in, teasing him by reaching forward as if I'm going to grab him by the collar, but he only laughs and skates ahead.

After a good while, he's got me out of breath, so I decide to end the chase, scoop him up by his armpits, and twirl him around in my arms until his squeals turn into giggles.

"I got you!" I gloat, then kiss him in the cheek.

"Daddy!" He wipes the kiss off his face. "Not in front of the girls!"

"Whoa! You're already worried about girls?" I step back to face him, still holding him in my arms.

"No! They're icky," Senna protests. "But they make fun of me when you or mom kiss me!"

"Oh! Okay…" I set him down, and hyper as ever, he immediately starts skating circles around me. "What do you want to do now?"

"Skate," he immediately says.

I glance over at the hot cocoa and pretzel stand set on the sidelines, where kids and parents alike are waiting eagerly.

"Do you want some hot cocoa, buddy?" I offer, and he enthusiastically takes my hand.

"Okay!" he grins up at me.

"So, no kisses, but holding hands is okay?" I ask him, amused and shaking my head.

"It's different daddy!" Senna insists. "I just don't wanna lose you!"

"Oh, so you're taking care of me?" I'm getting more and more entertained.

"Well, yeah!" he retorts as if stating the obvious.

We head out of the rink and take off our skates before heading over to the concession stand. We stop at the end of the line. Senna lets go of my hand and bounces with excitement, waiting for his snack, while I scan the area for Mia.

Luckily, I easily spot her by the rink. She's sitting on a bench and lacing up her skates as she chats animatedly with her staff. They are carrying foam hockey sticks and foam pucks to bring to the kids. Seeing those, I'm already full of ideas.

Mia and her staffers skate onto the rink. She approaches the children with the toys, and I walk over with Senna to the edge of the rink, intrigued by the sight of the kids enjoying the sport their parents play for a living.

I catch Mia's eye and wave her over. She skates over to us to talk to us.

"You're having fun, huh?" I tease Mia, who turns to me with a smile and hands me one of the foam sticks.

"It's a blast!" she says, looking genuinely happy. "Kids are fun!"

"Just wait until the poopy diapers," I whisper in her ear.

She snorts and I laugh. I've changed way too many dirty diapers and know exactly what's coming.

I glance at Senna, who's busy devouring his pretzel and hot cocoa. Amanda walks over with a cup of hot cocoa of her own and tousles Senna's hair.

I pick up one of the foam pucks Mia is carrying and give it a try — clearly meant for kids, it's way too short for me and feels awkward, but then again, it's just a toy.

Still, it's good enough for me, and with that attitude, I lace up my skates and come back into the rink. I toss the puck at Mia's feet and declare dramatically, "Pick up your weapon, Sanders!"

"What…?" She stifles a laugh. "Those are for the kids, Ethan!"

"Don't care!" I lean down to wave the puck in her face. "Are you going to challenge me, or are you afraid?"

She narrows her eyes. Looks like I've discovered her competitive streak, because she drops sticks against the rink wall, takes one for herself, and charges at me full speed.

"You'll see who's afraid!" she declares, adorably menacing.

I skate backward, clutching the puck as she tries to pry it from me. We maintain eye contact the entire time, her competitive streak surprising me once again.

In a moment of distraction, she snatches the puck from me, and takes off skating ahead, laughing. I'm surprised by how quick and nimble she is on her feet.

Mia gives me a run for my money, but with a light touch, I easily check her and take back the foam puck.

"Give me that!" she squeals, dodges a group of kids engrossed in their own game, and continues coming at me with a serious look of determination etched on her face.

I can hear Senna cheering by the rink.

I'm going at half my usual stamina, but she still can't catch me. After all, who's the pro hockey player here? When Mia realizes she's not going to win, she resorts a low blow.

As I teasingly skate by her, she reaches out and pinches my backside, taking me by surprise. Startled, I drop the puck, which she swiftly grabs, shoots it into the net, and triumphantly declares, "Score!" right in my face.

"You little cheater!" I wag my finger at her. "Grabbing a player's butt is against the rules!"

With a devilish smile, she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me passionately.

"Don't act like you didn't like it…" she licks her lips, stirring something primal in me.

"Hmm…" I wrap my arms around her waist. "Where's Senna?"

I glance around, still holding Mia close. I spot Senna by the concession stand with Amanda. I take Mia's hand and skate us over to her, interrupting her while she's in the middle of emptying a trash bin.

"Can you keep an eye on Senna for me?" I ask her.

Amanda nods with a smile, "Sure, see you later."

Senna finishes his hot cocoa and throws the cup away.

"Mom's going to hang out with you, okay, buddy?" I pat his helmet.

"Where are you going?" he asks, curiosity lighting up his eyes.

"I… Uh…" I look around, then turn to Mia with a mischievous grin. "I'm going to show Aunt Mia the locker rooms!"

"But only boys are allowed there!" Senna protests.

I crouch down to his level and whisper, "It's empty now… No one needs to know, right?"

Senna looks from me to Mia, smiling mischievously. It's as if he knows I'm up to something and seems to approve.

"Can I come too?" he asks.

"Not this time, Senna…" Mia says, leaning down to his ear before looking at me with a playful glance.

"Shall we?" I take her hand and lead her toward the bleachers.

"Are you really taking me to the locker room?" she asks in disbelief.

"Wait and see…" I say, leaning down to take off my skates.

Now it's my turn to smile like a devil.