Shutout

Chapter 24 - Kane

Christmas is chaotic this year. I always go home for Christmas, but this year, Miley came home with her boyfriend, Min Su. Mom at first freaked out about them sharing the same bed while they were here, but I had to remind her that Miley is an adult and they likely have slept in the same bed over the course of a year of dating. She wasn't happy, but she relented. 

And don't get me started on Kent pretending not to be bothered that his little girl's boyfriend is under his room. He doesn't make it obvious, but I can see the sideways glances. No malicious intent, just skeptical. It's almost funny. Like I'm living in a literal sitcom.

When I told Logan that, he tried to argue that he was the one suffering from his family. He went home to Colorado because the Cardinals have an additional day off in their schedule after the league's mandatory Christmas 'break.' All of his siblings were also coming home for the holidays this year, which was perfect timing, in my opinion, but hellish timing for Logan, so his home is full. Luckily, one of the first big purchases Logan ever got was a big house for his parents so that they could have their family and future grandkids over often. Still, I've heard rumors that his little brother is being forced to sleep with the kids in the basement despite being Miley's age. I asked for a picture because that just sounds funny. 

Additionally, his sister-in-law has gotten quite pregnant by now, so the big hustle of the house this year is the impending grandchild. Logan's mom definitely seems like one of those mothers who had a fine time being a mother but is living her best life as a grandma. Apparently, there have already been early Christmas clothing gifts for the baby to wear next year, which sounds stupid because babies grow so freakishly fast. Most of the gifts under their tree, I've been informed, are for the two already existing grandchildren. Logan thinks he's going to get new windshield wipers or something shockingly adultish, which makes me laugh. 

Although we're only really apart less than a week, like a road trip of games, we still text each other nonstop and Facetime at night. I was even introduced to his mom, Cynthia, after she came to get him while we were Facetiming. She's funny and sweet, and I can see where Logan gets his charm. But they don't look anything alike. Logan looks more like his dad and one of his brothers, the oldest, I think. He looked cute in the family picture of all the men because they are the type of family where they all try to have beards to show their manliness, but his face is baby-smooth. And his dad is like a giant in height. 

"Yeah, my uncle is kind of...intense. I try to avoid him," Logan cringes on the phone screen. He was just telling me about how one of his uncles told him he needs to shove more people when they get in his space, even though goalies only have a certain extent of physical altercation allowed. 

I smirk, "Sucks to suck. My uncle is pretty chill. And he's gay, so I win." Uncle Reece for the win. 

Logan sighs and readjusts himself as he lays back in his bed, "Yeah, okay, shove it in my face. Just be lucky your family isn't even that big. You are all like tight and wholesome or something."

I school my face, moving my phone so he can see the whole deadpan expression I'm giving, "Tight and wholesome? Miley literally told me I was going bald because I told her that her roots were coming in. And Mom didn't even defend me after witnessing the whole thing. We are not wholesome. That is a rude accusation."

Logan rolls his eyes, "Okay, whatever, my bad."

"Forgiven." 

"Have you heard back from the editor on your article yet?"

I smile fondly. Ever since I submitted the final draft of the article to an editor at the New York Times, Logan has been eagerly waiting for news on it. I can tell he's nervous about it being published so soon, but I also think he's excited to see any positive feedback.