Loved Twice by the Hockey Star novel · Chapter 11 of 32

Chapter 11: Family Skate

Erik turned off the TV.

He stood in the middle of his living room in his boxers, with the remote in his fist, and didn't say anything for a long time.

"He can't win," he said finally. "Can he? A grandfather?"

"He's Dag Haugland," I said. "In Lake County, he can win anything."

"I'm her father."

"And he's yours."

My phone buzzed again.

Jodie.

"Are you watching? Tell me you're watching. I'm going to drive up there and put sugar in his gas tank."

"Don't put sugar in his gas tank."

"Salt, then. Something."

I hung up and looked at Erik.

"Where's he going to be this week? In public. In front of people."

He knew what I was asking.

He didn't like it.

"Sunday," he said slowly. "The team's family skate at the arena. Players' kids, season ticket holders. He's the alumni guest. Drops the ceremonial puck every year."

"Cameras?"

"Always."

"Then that's where I'll be."

We spent Christmas Day on the sixth floor.

Ingrid opened her presents from Sheriff the moose, which were mostly stickers, and made Erik wear a paper crown all afternoon.

He did.

He wore it through a video call with his coach, who was too scared of him to mention it.

Nobody told Ingrid about the TV.

On Sunday I left her with Jodie and drove to Saint Paul.

The arena was full of kids in snowsuits and parents with coffee.

Christmas music blasted over the speakers.

Players skated slow circles with toddlers on their shoulders.

At center ice, a carpet had been rolled out, and on it stood Dag in his old number 4 jersey over his sheepskin coat, grinning for the cameras with a puck in his hand.

There were three news crews behind the boards.

The reporter in the red coat had found a spot by the bench.

I walked down the steps to the rink door in my boots and jeans and Erik's hoodie.

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