“So, you’re, like, Murph’s woman, right?” Duane asked as they returned to their seats.
“Yep.”
“You live with him?” Rashied asked.
Callan had warned her to expect some pointed questions from the inquisitive fourteen-year-old. The question still had her eyebrows lifting.
“No.”
But, she silently added, she had done a good number of overnights at his place, which was a huge step for her.
“He got a big house?” Duane wondered.
“Not yet. He’ll be moving into one in a couple months if all goes well.”
Callan had already started doing some planning with Frank Campbell to get design choices made. Since his schedule was about to tighten up, he wanted to get decisions nailed down so orders could be placed even though the closing wasn’t scheduled to happen for another couple weeks.
The game started ten minutes later, effectively stopping the boys’ barrage of personal questions. Roxy leaned forward for a better view as the arena darkened and spotlights shone on the tunnel leading to The Siege’s locker room. The announcer ran through the starting lineup while The Siege’s first line players took the ice amid raucous cheers from the crowd. Roxy smiled as a clear vision of Callan’s name being announced at a future game ran through her mind.
It was definitely going to happen.
The first period passed in a blur of excitement. Every time Callan took the ice, Roxy’s heart leaped into her throat. She winced whenever he ended up against the boards, even if it was because he checked an opposing player. She sat on the edge of her seat with her hands pressed together any time he got near Carolina’s net. Even though he didn’t score, she saw just how impressive he was.
By the first intermission, the score was still tied at zero. Her nerves calmed down as they watched the intermission entertainment and waited for the second period to start. Then they churned right back up again as the teams returned to the ice.
Three minutes into the period, The Siege got control of the puck, breaking out of their defensive zone in a two-on-one through center ice. Roxy watched from the edge of her seat as Callan and Aron Fischer streaked up the ice towards Carolina’s net. Sensing the potential of the moment, she rose to her feet and started cheering along with Rashied, Duane, and the rest of the crowd.
Aron led the way with the puck, facing down Carolina’s lone defenseman. At the blue line, he flicked the puck to Callan. Callan took control, dekeing around the defender and driving to the net. His backhand shot flew like an arrow into the top corner of the net, right above the goalie’s blocker.
He had just scored the team’s first goal of the season.
Roxy cheered herself hoarse. She received enthusiastic hugs from Rashied and Duane, telling her she wasn’t alone in her pride and excitement. Her smile was wide enough to make her cheeks hurt as she watched Callan’s teammates congratulate him and the replay of the incredible shot was aired on the jumbotron. Never in her life had she known hockey could be so exciting.
The Siege ended up winning two to nothing. The atmosphere in the arena was pumped up and electric as Roxy led the boys from their seats for a visit to the restrooms before they went in search of the family room where they would be meeting Callan.
They passed through two security checkpoints before reaching the room. There were more people waiting there than Roxy had expected. She wagered there were at least thirty adults and nearly as many kids milling around the spacious area. Most of the adults were women, though she noticed a few older guys she assumed were players’ fathers.
There were multiple seating areas, huge flat-panel televisions, children’s toys, and old school arcade games all around the room. The far wall featured a counter topped with platters of food, buckets of ice, and an array of beverage options. Kids ran from one activity to the next. A couple of them nearly plowed into Roxy as they chased each other.
“Braydon! Melissa! That’s enough,” scolded a harried looking blonde woman who broke away from a small group to approach Roxy. “So sorry about that. They always find their second wind after the game.”
“That’s okay. It seems like this area is perfect for kids to let off a little steam.” Roxy looked at Rashied and Duane, whose eyes were wider than usual as they looked around. “If you guys want to check out the video games, have at it.”
“You sure?” Rashied asked.
“Go for it,” the blonde encouraged. “Try to beat my high score at Galaga.”
The boys hurried off, looking like they’d just found the gates to paradise.
“I’m Lindsay LeFranc, by the way,” the blonde said, extending a hand.
Roxy accepted the handshake. “Roxy Wagner. It’s nice to meet you. You’re married to Adam?”
“I am. Those were our kids, Braydon and Melissa, who almost bodychecked you on your way in.”
“They’re adorable. How old are they?”
“Five and seven.”
“Great ages. I’ve got a few nieces and nephews around that age.”
Lindsay smiled. “They’re finally getting more independent. It’s both a blessing and a curse.” She turned back towards the group she had abandoned. “Why don’t you let me introduce you to some of the other ladies?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
As they started moving further into the room, Lindsay said, “I caught you in the seats earlier. You’re here for Murph, right?”
Roxy figured her jersey gave her away. “I am.”
“I’m happy to hear it. Judging by how he’s been playing during training camp and in tonight’s game, I’d say you’re excellent for him.”
The words generated a sense of pride in Roxy, though she really felt Callan deserved all the credit for his hard work. She didn’t want to start things off on the wrong foot by arguing with the other woman, so she just made a general sound of agreement.
Everyone she met was at least polite, if not overly friendly. It appeared there was a sort of hierarchy among the women based on how everyone deferred to Lindsay. She held a place of some prestige as the captain’s wife. Alice Schmidt, the wife of alternate captain and first line left winger, Eric Schmidt, was something like a second-in-command. Levels of respect and deference tapered down from there with the wives in the highest standing, fiancées next, and girlfriends last.
Roxy shrugged it off. She was perfectly capable of holding her own in a conversation regardless of the group dynamics.
It took about forty minutes before the players started arriving. In that time, some of the players’ families dropped into the room and left, likely killing time elsewhere rather than staying in the chaotic room filled with loud conversation, game play, and screeching children. Roxy would have done the same if the boys hadn’t been so enamored with the video games.
Adam was among the first players to arrive. Braydon and Melissa ran up to him, screaming like they hadn’t seen him in a month. Roxy found Adam’s expressed joy over seeing his kids completely charming.
Other players also started drifting in. Most of them went right up to their families. Then some of the coaching staff and a couple of trainers wandered in and made the rounds, shaking hands with the family members. When Vivian Price walked in and observed it all with her steady gaze and a professional smile, Roxy figured she had something to do with that, maybe to foster a feeling of welcome and connection among the players’ families and the team’s personnel.