Page 49 of The Rebound Play
“You know something? My parents are one of the reasons I’m here today, and I don’t just mean alive. They were instrumental in that, too, though.” Laughter rolls through the room. “My parents supported me in my goal to make it to the NHL. They sacrificed a lot, and I’m honored that they’re here with me tonight.”
Heads swivel and my grinning dad gives a salute. Mom beams.
“Did you feel there were any specific turning points or key moments in the game?” another journalist asks, an older man with a comb over. I recognize him as Burt Hamilton, a journalist from back East.
“Like when the Lumberjacks scored that second goal?” I joke. “Yeah, there were a few. We need to tighten up our defense, and we’ll be working on that in practice.”
“You were benched by the Blizzard for a wrist injury and got special dispensation to play for the Ice Breakers. That’s not usually the way these things play out. How’s the injury now?” Burt asks.
“I’ve had a lot of rest and rehab here in Washington. I’m cautiously optimistic I’m good.”
An attractive female journalist calls out, “What’s the most interesting or surprising thing a fan has done to try to get your attention romantically?”
I flick my gaze briefly to Keira’s. “Pretending to look for a contact lens.”
“Can you explain that?” the journalist asks.
“I can’t. But it worked.”
I know I’m being elusive. But seriously, what’s my personal life got to do with the game? Don’t get me wrong, there’s always someone at these things who asks personal questions, and there’s always much speculation about who we players are dating, so I guess I’m used to it. But it’s not their business.
“Who were you blowing kisses at?” she asks.
“Someone special.”
“A girl?”
“Maybe.”
“You’re not giving much away here, Mr. Roberts.”
I simply smile at her.
She tries another angle. “Your name was linked with Christy Mahoney not that long ago,” she continues, referring to a model I dated briefly last season. “Rumor has it she’s coming to the next game. Is that for any romantic reason?”
“I had no idea Christy Mahoney was coming to the next game,” I reply honestly. I haven’t even spoken to her since we dated briefly last winter. “But it’ll be good to see her.”
“So, does that mean you’re single? Your female fans are eager to know,” she persists.
I press my lips together. “How about we keep the questions to ice hockey?” I say before I lift my chin at another journalist who asks me a more appropriately hockey-related question.
A couple questions later, Troy, Zach, Scotty, and Coach Strickland thank everyone for being here and we get up to leave. I have plans to see Keira, and I’m excited to get to her.
As I make my way down the hallway, a group of fans approaches me, holding out pens and my jersey. A lone figure steps away from the crowd, holding up a camera and her press pass.
“Hey Dan,” she says with an easy grin. “Mind if I take a few quick pics for Athletic Edge?”
Hearing the name of the magazine, I remember why I know her. We met for a photoshoot a few months back when her magazine featured me in the run up for the charity games.
“Sure,” I say, pausing. I pull my lips into a smile and I hear the camera clicking away. She’s done in no time. “It’s Willa, right?”
“It is,” she beams, obviously pleased I remember. “I won’t hold you up. I’ll see you ’round.”
“See you ’round,” I echo.
She jogs away, and I turn my attention back to the small crowd gathered around me. “How are you all doing tonight?” I ask as I sign the shirts.
“It’s a shame you lost,” replies a woman in her early-twenties, by the looks of her.