Home Ice.

Chapter Thirty-Five.

Avery

I'm exactly where I need to be, with who I need to be with.

Cam and Sophie are in town still, and Lindsey decided to come home for a visit with her girlfriend Imani, who I had met back before Casey and Grace's wedding. Before Finn and I were even engaged. Before my life turned into a horror movie within a second.

It all feels like a lifetime ago.

Even still, I'm where I need to be. With them, and Grace, Kennedy, Morgan, and Dana as we take up most of the Kraken family suite. Finn and Casey are on the ice, locked in during the intense second period action, and I'm sitting up here drinking one of my strongest pregnancy cravings... Sprite.

Never cared about it before but shit, I will go nuts if I don't always have one on me now.

It's become a thing in our house, where there is always a stock of canned Sprite, because bottled just doesn't do it. Whenever we go anywhere, I have one in hand.

My heart nearly burst when I walked into the family suite we always sit in and saw the fridge full of them accompanied by a note on the table, scribbled in my favorite handwriting.

Try not to drink through all of those in one night, ma fleur.

- F

I honestly could.

The Kraken have been on fire. They're on a ten game winning streak and could very well finish the regular season in first place in the Division. Finn has played some of the best hockey he's ever played, too.

Which means today's game against Vancouver is really important. Seattle is one point behind them in the standings and if they can clear them, they'll get the momentum they need.

It's exciting. I watch every game with bated breath, jumping and cheering even when I'm alone on my couch. Watching your favorite team do so well is one thing, having your significant other on it is another. Right now, with both of them happening at the same time, I'm in heaven.

Yes, I still love the Islanders. Yes, they suck right now. Whatever.

So now I'm wedged between Cam and Lindsey while the third period is underway, the score tied at 3. It's been a super fun game with a lot of goals and a lot of laughs. I can't even remember the last time I felt this good. Every single person I love is in this building right now, and we're all happy. Every time I look down at Finn on the ice or on the bench, he is even sporting a small smile.

It'd be sick if he could score a goal, though.

"Is this when I tell you that I saw Theo the other day?"

I choke on the Sprite that I was taking a sip of and bend over to catch it before it dribbles out of my mouth. Lindsey runs her hand over my back and snickers while I glare over at Cam. "You could have waited three more seconds."

"You know I wouldn't," he grins back at me.

I clear my throat and wipe my mouth before settling back into my chair. "How? Why?"

He takes a swig of his beer before answering. "I ran into him in the cafe by his tattoo shop that I guess he still works at."

That is not nearly enough information, so I lean forward a little to silently tell him to continue, which he does. "He came up to me and immediately asked about you. He saw Finn's press conference."

Oh.

I have no idea why I never thought about that other people from my life seeing that, or even knowing that I was abducted. Dealing with the mass public is one thing, but ex boyfriends and old professors and friends? That feels... Weird.