But first…

I’d put off Christmas shopping until the last minute, typical of me, but now I knew what I needed to buy and had very little time to do it. I made a few phone calls and set everything in motion.

This would be a Christmas to remember.

Chapter Twenty-One

Eggnog Toasts

~~Easton~~

After I finished shopping, I drove out of Seattle to the burbs where Ice and Avery lived. Our captain had invited the entire team to an open house on Christmas Eve, and I felt obligated to put in an appearance. Ice was a private person who was trying to come out of his shell, and I appreciated this gesture.

As a rookie, I was always trying to make a good impression on my veteran teammates and my coaches. As much as I’d preferred to insinuate myself into Caro’s evening, attending this party was necessary.

I double-checked the address multiple times as I drove farther into the country. I had Ice pegged as a city boy, and living out here didn’t fit with my image of him. My GPS told me to turn down a narrow gravel lane lined with trees and a white-rail fence. In the distance were a couple large barns. I drove past the barns and turned down another driveway. As the thick trees opened up, a large two-story home lit up with Christmas lights came into view. I was surprised once again as I pictured Ice on a ladder stringing lights from his eaves.

His driveway was clogged with cars, and I pulled behind Steele’s car, surprised to see my roommate was already present.

I grabbed the gift bag containing a nice bottle of wine from the seat beside me and stepped out of my truck. The evening was clear and brisk, a nice respite from the incessant rain and gray skies of the past few weeks.

Several of my teammates stood on the front porch flanking the entire front of the farmhouse. They were drinking beers and laughing. I walked onto the porch and greeted everyone, stood outside for a short time, and ventured in the house to find my host and hostess.

Avery and Ice stood in the large living room with a huge rock fireplace on one wall, talking to Smooth and his wife, Bella, along with Brick and Amelia.

“Hey, glad you could make it.” Ice was beaming from ear to ear. Glancing down at Avery’s stomach, I could see why. She wasn’t showing a lot yet, but her pregnancy was obvious. Not to mention, Avery inadvertently called attention to her baby bump by rubbing her stomach quite often.

I shook hands with the guys and hugged the women, then settled back into conversation that ran the gamut from hockey to kids to buying a house. I didn’t say much, just listened and observed. The three couples were very much in love. They were always touching, sharing private glances, and standing close to each other. Bella liked to finish Smooth’s sentences, but he didn’t seem to mind. Amelia often directed the convo to kids, while Avery often talked about horses. Every one of them gave me advice on being a dad, and I discussed riding lessons for my daughter with Avery.