Page 47 of My One & Goalie

Xander: Can’t wait to see you, babe. Love you

Rachel: Love you and miss you

Xander: Same

Friday can’t come soon enough.

First class doesn’t disappoint. I accept the sparkly champagne offered by the flight attendant, along with an apple juice for Jett. We settle in and before we know it, we’re landing in Detroit.

We head to baggage claim to get the luggage, and Xander has a car waiting for us. The driver helps us maneuver the luggage through the airport, then we speed down the interstate to the team hotel.

At the front desk, I give Xander’s name and, after checking my ID, the concierge slides a key to me. Taking Jett by the hand, we wheel our suitcases over to the gold elevator doors. Inside, I mash the button for the fifteenth floor, and we rocket to the top of the hotel. The doors slide open, and we walk down an airy hallway, finally finding Xander’s room.

Unlocking the door, we step into the largest hotel room I’ve ever seen. Everything’s white—the couch in the sitting room, thewet bar, the beds in both bedrooms, and the massive en suite bathroom.

“Mommy, this room’s huge!” Jett turns around in circles, taking in the view of the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“I know, it’s beautiful.”

“Oh, what is this?” Jett holds up two shiny silver packages, each topped with a blue bow. “It has my name on it! And yours!” He hands my gift over to me. “Can I open it now? Please?”

“Yes, but then we have to hurry to the game. It’s starting soon.”

Jett tears through the paper and holds up a dark blue jersey withKOVACwritten across the back.

“Cool! It’s Xander’s jersey. Number 23. Open yours, Mommy!”

I follow Jett’s lead, ripping through the gift wrap to reveal an identical shirt, only bigger.

“Wow—we have matching jerseys! I love it.” Jett throws the new shirt over his sweatshirt and beams up at me.

My heart is so full right now. I haven’t seen my child this happy in forever.

“Put yours on, too.” He tugs at my arm, bringing me back to reality.

I drop the luggage in the main bedroom and change my shirt out for the jersey, then we head back downstairs to the lobby. The driver from the airport’s waiting for us, and he ushers us out to the car. He darts into traffic and we make it to the arena five minutes before the game starts.

“Here’s your badge.” I slip the plastic nameplate over Jett’s head. “Stay close, I’m not sure where we’re going.”

Taking Jett by the hand, we climb the stairs of the arena to the security line. As soon as they glimpse our badges, a security officer steps over and guides us to the escalators. He escorts us through the crowd, depositing the two of us in the family area.There’s a crowd of people, and Jett and I make our way over to empty seats.

“Are you Rachel?” An older woman leans over, tapping me on the shoulder.

“I am.”

“I’m Molly, Axl’s mother. Axl’s a defenseman and he and Xander are good friends. Xander asked me to be on the lookout for you and your son. Oh, hello there.” Molly reaches out and shakes Jett’s outstretched little hand. “What fine manners you have. Your mom must be so proud.”

Jett grins up at her. “Thank you. Did you know Xander’s my hockey coach? I love hockey. I play goalie, just like him.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m sure he’s a fantastic coach.”

“He is. He taught me to stay low and cover as much of the ice as I can.”

“That’s solid advice.”

The lights dim and the crowd starts cheering, the floor vibrating beneath our feet as people stomp and shout. The Detroit players skate onto the ice and the arena gets even louder. Then the Boston players skate out one by one. When Xander’s announced, Jett jumps up and down, waving wildly.

“Xander!”