Home Ice.

Chapter Twelve.

Finn

It's been two full weeks since New York, since we had to deal with the shit that her family put her through. Avery's been doing better, she started to become herself again by the time I got back from that road trip. Now it's mid October, which means a few things.

One: The regular season started this week and Casey and I are getting into the groove of it all again.

Two: Halloween is a little over a week away and the girls told us that we have to wait to find out their idea for our costumes, so that's happening later today.

Three: Avery's birthday is two days after Halloween and I still haven't gotten her anything. I have no idea what to get her.

She doesn't care about gifts, to be honest. I could give her the most expensive piece of jewelry or a designer bag and it would mean so much less than a book that I saw that I think she'd like. I like to get her something that's somewhere in the middle. She deserves to be spoiled and get nice things, but I want it to mean something too.

If her birthday wasn't during the season I'd take her on a trip, but that's not possible unless it's planned for the summer but that makes it lose its significance. So I guess I'll just be at a standstill until something magically comes to mind.

I just got back to the practice rink from a two day road trip to Colorado. It was a short trip but we have another road trip coming up so I've gotta take advantage of the time I have home. Casey and I pretty much always drive together so we're heading back to his car with our bags being pulled behind us.

"I can't wait to see my girls," Casey pipes up as he walks ahead. I agree with him, but I kind of have a weird feeling going throughout me right now. I've had it since we got on the plane this morning and I thought it'd go away once we landed, that it's nothing more than just a little bit of anxiety; but it's still here. He glances back at me when I don't answer right away so I just nod along, "I miss Aves."

As we get deeper into the lot, I instantly notice what looks like an older brother and younger brother walking to a car as well. They both have hockey bags hanging from their shoulders and sticks in their hands, which makes me smile. The younger one can't be older than 10 or so.

"Do you have any idea of what we're gonna have to dress up as for Halloween?" he asks, slowing down so we can walk together. I laugh lightly and shake my head, "No idea, dude. None."

"I hope I can wear a dress again. It felt so freeing last year," he says honestly, which makes me smile. We were all princesses last year.

"It was," I agree, seeing the older brother putting his younger brothers bag in the back of his car. We usually don't park in the general lot but we were running late and this lot is closer to the door, but that means I don't see people really walking around. I like seeing two brothers leaving a rink together, knowing that the older one was probably teaching the younger one a bit.

As we get a bit closer, I make eye contact with the younger brother and his eyes widen instantly. Oh yeah, he knows who we are.

He turns to his brother and pulls on his arm, obviously telling him. I look over at Casey, who's caught on and laughing to himself with a shake of his head. He looks over at me and says, "That will never not be weird."

"Being recognized?" I clarify, because that's exactly how I feel. The fact that people know who we are and get excited when they see us is mind blowing. I'm really nothing special at all.