Hockey Holidays

by Toni Aleo

  She walked into the bathroom, stripped out of her clothes, then turned on the water for her shower and waited for it to heat up. The bathroom was smaller than she would have liked. Elexis missed having a bathtub and counter space to lay out her beauty supplies. After finishing her shower, she wrapped herself in her large fluffy bathrobe and fired up her laptop that was sitting on the coffee table, which was surrounded by her textbooks.

  Moving to Manchester shortly after her high school graduation, she knew a traditional college setting wouldn’t be for her. She didn’t like large crowds and couldn’t focus with others around her. She liked the one-on-one setting, which is why she chose to take online classes. And the plus side of it all was she could still work both jobs without them interfering with classroom time.

  As the laptop screen began to glow, Twitter popped up. Elexis smiled seeing the numerous notifications and began to scroll through the countless tweets. She replied to a few before sending one herself.

  Finished with a hot shower. #feelingfreshandclean Time to get some homework done. #workitout #getitgirl

  Continuing to scroll through the tweets, she noticed the trending topics. One stood out to her—#dateme

  Unsure of what it meant, she clicked the hashtag and the tweets loaded. Apparently, people are tweeting reasons why celebrities should date them. Some were funny. A few were sad. Several of them were disgusting and caused her to understand why people thought millennials were immature and irresponsible.

  Elexis sat there for a few more minutes, still enjoying the entertainment of the tweets when she thought about which celebrity she would like to date. None really came to mind. She couldn’t even think of a reason why anyone would date her. Probably why no one had. There were a couple of boys throughout high school who asked her out, but she declined all of them. Books and school came first in her life. Of course, hockey was right up there too.

  Glancing over at her puck, setting proudly on her nightstand next to her bed, she thought of Dag Limon. Would he date her?

  “No,” she said aloud with a chuckle, but it would be funny to tweet about it.

  I bet I would make @DagLimon02 a fantastic girlfriend because I love my Bears. I’m excellent at ordering takeout and I can read faster than he can skate. Oh, and we can go to Arby’s on our first date! #dateme

  She laughed at herself and at what she tweeted, then wondered how many RTs she’d receive because she sounded so desperate. She laughed at herself again and then closed the tab to start on her homework.

  Chapter Two

  Dag flipped the pancakes, hoping he hadn’t burnt them again. No matter how many YouTube videos he watched, his first batch of pancakes always turned out disastrous.

  “Dad, we’re hungry.” Bruce banged his fork against the kitchen table.

  “I know, I’m getting it done.” Thankfully, the pancakes were fluffy and edible. He opened the fridge, pulled out the orange juice and poured two glasses and set them on the table in front of his boys.

  “I want apple juice.” Brock eyed the glass as if it were some disgusting concoction.

  “Damn.” He muttered under his breath. He meant to get some at the store yesterday and completely forgot.

  “Oooohhh, Dad said a bad word.” Bruce pointed out.

  “Put a quarter in the jar.” Brock ordered him.

  “I will when I get a quarter.” He told them. “And you’ll have to drink the orange juice because there’s no apple juice.” He quickly plated the pancakes and brought them over to his twins.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Brock questioned where was his father’s food.

  “Not right now. I have to clean up the kitchen before Pop-Pop gets here.” Picking up his—now cold—coffee, he took two big gulps before cleaning the griddle and wiping down the counters.

  “Is Pop-Pop mmuuufff mmmuuufff?”

  “Bruce, stop talking with your mouth full.” Dag scolded him. “Chew, swallow and then ask.”

  “He asked if Pop-Pop would be here all day?” Brock interpreted.

  “Yes, he will be. I have practice before the game tonight.” Dag began to unload the dishwasher. “He’s going to get you two off to school, pick you up, and bring you to the game tonight.” He gave them a quick overview of today’s schedule.

  “I can’t wait to see Uncle Cabel and Uncle Edgar play tonight.” Brock picked up his pancake with both hands and took a massive bite. Syrup dripped down his chin and onto his pajamas.

  This was the reason why Dag left them in their pajamas until the last possible minute. He couldn’t figure out why his twins were incredibly messy, but they truly were the worse.

  “Brock, use your fork.” He sighed, shaking his head. “And yes, your uncles will be happy to see you as well.”

  Dag didn’t have any brothers by blood, but every member of the Bears team had been family. Edgar, Cabel and a couple of others didn’t mind his sons giving them the title of uncle. In fact, he thought they enjoyed it. Especially Cabel Dirks. His role on the Bears hadn’t been just a player. He was a father figure to every one of them.

  “Aunt Greer said she would bring cookies tonight.” Bruce beamed with excitement.

  Edgar’s wife spoiled his boys to the core. Dag begged her not to, but no one goes against Greer. She’s a force to be reckoned with.

  “If she does, please be sure to thank her. The last time you didn’t and it’s rude not to.” He chided them. “I know you two know your manners.”

  “Yes, sir,” they answered in unison, slightly hanging their heads.

  The role of enforcer was one Dag embraced on the ice, but at home, it broke his heart seeing sadness on the boys’ faces, but being mother and father to them, he couldn’t let some things slide. Especially, when he wanted them to be raised with good manners and strong morals.

  He thought about the boys’ mother for a moment. He still couldn’t believe how much his life had changed over the past five years. Faith Chambers had Dag’s heart in her hand since the moment he laid eyes on her. He never believed in love at first sight until the day they were introduced. He knew she felt it as well.

  When she told him she was carrying his boys, he thought he would explode with joy. Being a father had always been a dream of his and to have twin boys…it became a dream come true. For months before the boys’ due date, Dag begged Faith to marry him. He wanted to be a family with her, but she turned him down time after time. She gave excuse after excuse, but Dag kept trying, hoping she’d eventually change her mind. The boys arrived early on a Friday evening, and Dag cried with pride when he saw his perfect sons. They were a little underweight and were taken to the NICU. Faith told Dag to go home and rest, but he couldn’t…no, he wouldn’t leave any of them. He decided to take a nap in the lobby to stay closer to the boys and to Faith.

  When he awoke, he went to check on Faith first. He wanted to try to sway her to marry him. He figured it would be the perfect time. As he walked into the room, he stopped. Nothing but an empty bed came into his view. Her clothes—gone. Her purse—gone. Everything—gone. There hadn’t been a single goodbye given to him or the boys.

  She vanished.

  For the past year, he fought hard against the family court system to have Faith’s parental rights terminated. She has never contacted either of the boys since the day she left. Dag has done it all. He almost gave up his hockey career until his father, Big Bruce, stepped in and started helping him take care of the boys because he knew the struggles of raising a child alone.

  Dag’s mother walked out on them when he had barely been out of diapers. Dag didn’t want the same for his children—he knew their pain. They occasionally asked about their mother, and Dag told them the truth every time. He didn’t know where she was or what she was doing. He hated himself because he couldn’t give them a mother they needed, but he would always be there for them. No matter what.

  “Pop-Pop!” The boys jumped from their chairs and raced to greet their grandfather with open arms as he came through the front d
oor.

  “There’s my favorite twins.” Big Bruce bent down and picked up his grandchildren in each arm.

  “Dad, put them down.” Dag yelled from the kitchen. “You’re going to hurt your back.”

  “Never.” He chuckled, kissing each boys’ cheek. “My grandkids wouldn’t hurt me, would ya?”

  “No.” Brock and Bruce laughed and Big Bruce finally put them down.

  “Finish eating, sons.” Dag ordered them as he closed the dishwasher.

  Big Bruce ushered the boys back into the kitchen. “Hello, son.”

  “Hi, Dad.” Dag wiped his hands on a towel. “I have to get going. Is there anything you need from the store? I’ll stop by after practice.”

  “We need candy bars,” Bruce answered.

  “Brownies.” Brock added.

  “No, ice cream.” Bruce countered.

  “No, none of that stuff.” Dag turned his back to them, hoping they wouldn’t say anything else.

  “I’m good, son. However, you’re going to have to see if Leia can watch the boys Friday night. I have a date.” He proudly told the room.

  “A date?” Dag’s mouth dropped a bit. “I’m thirty years old and you’ve never dated.”

  “Think it’s about time, eh?” He smirked while slapping Dag’s shoulder and going over to the table.

  “Um…yeah…I guess.” Dag couldn’t believe what he heard. Then again, he should be happy for his dad. He had been alone much too long. “I’ll make sure someone is here for them.”

  Dag kissed each of his kids, hugged his dad, and ran up the stairs to get ready for practice.

  Walking into the Bears arena still made Dag smile. Even though last season had been horrible, he felt this year would be better. It had to be. For the past five seasons, he called Manchester, New Hampshire home, and he didn’t want to be traded. However, he knew the reality of playing in the Professional Hockey League. You would…and could…be traded at any time. And the Bears were overdue.

  Oliver Matthews could easily be called the greatest owner of the PHL. For the past three seasons, he did something that was unheard of—he hadn’t traded one player or fired a single staff member. All of us had been thankful, but now the time had come regarding trade talks. Dag’s name was on the list as were many others. However, Oliver remained tight-lipped on the entire subject.

  The locker room buzzed with excitement as it had for the past couple weeks, prepping for the season opener. Dag felt the same way. He wanted to be on the ice and show he was still worthy to be on the Bears. He definitely didn’t want to bounce his boys around the United States. He knew he could leave hockey—easily—if it meant stability for his family. Sure, he’d miss the game and even the money, but his boys were first. Period.

  “Dag, you made it.” Cabel joked with him as he took a seat in the stall next to his.

  “I decided I should come to carry your ass. Don’t want you looking bad, Pops.” He ribbed back, taking off his shoes. “Hey, you think Leia could babysit this Friday? Big Bruce has a date.”

  Cabel stopped removing his shirt and stared. “Big Bruce? Big Bruce has a date?”

  He nodded. “You’re as shocked as I am.”

  “No…well, yes…but I was thinking of you.”

  Tilting his head, Dag seemed confused. “What do you mean?”

  “If Big Bruce is getting back out there after all these years, what about you?”

  Sighing, he turned toward the stall. He had this talk numerous times with Cabel and grew tired of it. He chose not to answer him and went back to the original question. “You think Leia is free?”

  He felt Cabel staring but knew his friend would drop the subject. “I’m sure she’d love to watch the boys.”

  Dag thanked him before focusing on changing into his pads and practice uniform. He knew Cabel was being a good friend, but he couldn’t handle having this conversation again. Being single didn’t mean he had a death sentence for him. It took him a year to get over Faith and his only priority right now—his boys.

  Grabbing a couple of extra sticks, he followed some of the other players out to the rink. He lined up his sticks with the others and jumped onto the ice. Skating around and warming up his legs, Dag did his best to clear his mind. Even though he still ran a grocery list in the back of his mind and wondered when he needed to sign up the boys for soccer.

  Coach Taden Long called everyone over, and he went over the game play for the day’s practice. He also told them he would be going over their individualized reports today. A few soft groans could be heard throughout the team. Coach Long started these reports a few seasons ago. Dag believed they worked if he remembered to follow through.

  They first broke off into groups to have their coaches go over the changes in plays. Dag kept his focus on everything being told to him and remembered this was his job, and he needed it right now. After going over the changes, Coach Long began to bark out the plays. A small tinge of failure hit Dag when he had to sit on the bench. When he started his career with the Bears, he was on the second line. Now, he began on the fourth line. Some called it the kick out line or the end of the line. Last season had been Dag’s worse. He knew he needed to step it up.

  As practice ended, he didn’t feel as exhausted as he should have. Then again, he didn’t practice as much as the other lines. Feeling disappointed, he was determined to do better this season. If he were traded, he’d completely understand.

  “Hey, Dag, do you know your ass is trending on Twitter. Locally, anyway.” Shade Wooten hollered from the other side of the room.

  “Huh?”

  “Seriously, check your account.”

  He picked up his phone and tapped the app. “What the hell is #dateme? And why the hell do I have so many notifications?”

  “Bro, some chick picked you as a celebrity to date.” Shade explained.

  “Celebrity?” He scoffed. “I’m just happy if people don’t call me Doug Lemons.” He chuckled, putting down his phone.

  “She seems like a funny girl. Cute too.” Cabel joined in the conversation.

  “Seems smart too.” Now Edgar jumped in, looking down at his phone.

  Dag ignored them and headed to the shower as the team began to discuss the tweets. When he came out, they were still talking about it.

  “You have to do this, bro.” Shade came up to him first.

  “You have to.” Edgar added.

  He shook his head and began to get dressed. “I’m not going on some date, with a stranger, just because she tweeted me.”

  “Look how cute she is.” Shade pushed his phone into Dag’s face. “A cute girl is throwing herself at you.”

  Furrowing his brow, he glared at his friend. “Aren’t you married? And why do you care?”

  Shade didn’t answer.

  “Listen, sure she’s cute.” He glanced at the phone and then stopped. “Wait. She looks familiar.” He felt as if he had seen her before but couldn’t place her.

  “Do you know her?” Cabel questioned.

  “I don’t…I don’t know, but there’s something about her that’s familiar.” Dag stared at her Twitter profile pic for several seconds. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going on a date with her.” He grabbed the rest of his items and headed out of the locker room.

  He ran all his errands before making his way home. He hoped he would have time to get a couple of loads of laundry done and put away before the boys got home. He wouldn’t have much time with them tonight since he had to get ready for the game.

  “You here, Dad?” He yelled coming through the back door with the groceries.

  “In here, son.” Big Bruce announced from the breakfast nook.

  “What are you doing?” He put all the canvas bags on the counter.

  “Reading.” He came into the kitchen with him.

  “Reading?”

  He held up his iPad. “How to woo a woman on a first date?” He read the title. “I’m slightly out of practice. Been almost thirty years.”

>   Dag noticed he sounded embarrassed. “Just be yourself. You’ll be great.”

  “I know. Now, what about you?”

  He groaned. “Let’s not talk about me.”

  “I say we do.” He sat down at the table. “Cabel texted me. Told me about something on Twitter.”

  Mumbling under his breath, he said, “Let it go.”

  “No, now we need to talk about this. Faith has been gone for five years and she isn’t coming back.”

  “I know, Dad. I have Bruce and Brock to think about.” After unloading some of the food into the refrigerator, he shut the door.

  “You’re an outstanding father, but you’re thirty years old. I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. I worked all the time for you, which I’m proud of, but I missed out on a lot. I regret a few things because of missed opportunity.”

  Turning back to his father, he knew what he sacrificed for Dag to get where he was today. He would have never made it this far without his help. “I’m sorry.”

  “Dag, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. I wouldn’t change a thing. I truly would not because look where you are. I’m beyond proud of you and what an incredible man you are, but I want you to live.”

  He took a seat across from his father. “You’re about the only person I listen to, you know that, right?”

  Big Bruce chuckled. “It’s how it’s supposed to be.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Cabel did a little insight on this female who sent you the Twitter.”

  With a smile, Dag shook his head at his dad’s lack of modern lingo.

  “He thinks you should go.”

  Rolling his eyes, Dag looked up at the ceiling. “Going out with a complete stranger.”

  “No different than online dating, right? No different than a blind date, right?”