back down, grinning for no real reason. This little idea of Henrik’s had grown into a rather huge deal. She was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, and over half of them were her relations. In little over a week, food, schedules, drinks and everything else had been pulled together to turn this into a mini family reunion. One Henrik had been stuck hosting.
That’d teach him to personally call her brothers with an invitation ending in a challenge and a teaser of other Glaciers coming over to “skate a bit.” Then Henrik had played the unknown trump card to seal his fate by personally inviting her mother.
A whistle blew, and the play came to a stop. Finn had conned three friends who were referees in their league to ref this game. Not that he’d had to do a lot of begging to get the men to agree. Free food, beer and hanging with pro players was all the arm-twisting they’d needed. Dan had told her he’d had to stop answering his phone once word got out and everyone wanted in. It wasn’t often—try never—that rec guys got a chance to play with the pros.
“This is really cool,” Tory said at her side. Nigel was inside with Nana, and Lanie was running around in the grass, out of flying puck range with some other kids her age. Exactly who, didn’t matter. They were all having fun and in clear view of their mothers.
“Yes.” Jacqui grinned, glancing around at the crowd. “It really is.” Henrik had surprised her with his easy acceptance or acquiescence to it all. “I hope he’s okay with how big it got.”
Tory snorted a laugh. “Like he had much of a choice. But I heard your mom telling multiple people she’d shove them right back out the door if they asked anyone for an autograph.”
“Oh! Is that your mom manning the kitchen?” A short-haired brunette leaned around Tory, a warm smile on her face.
“That’s her.”
“She’s great.” The woman extended a hand. “I’m Kathy, Nodder’s wife. You must be Roller’s latest girlfriend.” The statement flowed out with seemingly little thought of how it might sound. “And one of those kids over there—” she motioned to the children running around the lawn, “—is mine. The other is hanging on the wall down there.” She pointed to the row of boys and two girls standing along the boards, eyes glued to the game.
Jacqui did a quick mental check to figure out who Nodder was but came up blank. “Aren’t you afraid of the kids getting hit by the puck?” Although the walls were waist-high, there wasn’t Plexiglas to stop high pucks from flying out of the rink. Two nets behind each goal offered protection from wild shots, but that was it.
“I told them to duck if they see one coming.” Her face was completely serious, and Jacqui had to laugh. Hockey moms learned to live with cuts, bruises and blood. She’d watched her own mother weather it all with similar warnings and a stocked first aid kit.
Another cheer went up as the blue team raced toward a net. Henrik had even invested in a set of practice jerseys for each team. He’d really thought of everything and what he’d missed, her mother had taken care of. She’d stayed out of the battle of wills when it’d come to paying for the food though.
Maureen, one of Jacqui’s cousins who was sitting on her other side, leaned in to whisper, “Joe Conners’ wife. Nodder’s his nickname.”
Oh, right. She shot Maureen a grateful smile. She’d really have to get this down if she stayed with Henrik. If the cancer...
No. No. No. Not today. Those thoughts were not allowed today. She pushed on the almost constant gnawing burn in her stomach, the action reflexive.
“I agree,” a woman in front of them turned around to add once the cheering died down. “This is nice. The guys could use more fun stuff like this during the season.”
“The no-pressure fun,” another added from behind them.
“I’m still shocked it was Roller who pulled it together,” Kathy said with a smile. A round of laughing agreement came from all around them. The laughs, along with the exaggerated head nods, set Jacqui on edge.
Her spine straightened, defenses roaring up to suck another piece of her fun away. She looked around at the women who she could only assume were associated with Henrik’s teammates. Did they know she was his girlfriend? Did they care? She was mildly appeased to