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"I had no idea you were in town Rowdy." Trevor broke the silence, stepping ahead of me to give Jack their typical handshake before a hug.
"I didn't know you were here either." Jack laughed as he wrapped his arms around Trevor and the other boys followed.
"Lookin good Christina, Trevor still treating you right?" Jack said as my roommate took two steps toward him, looking to me for reassurance.
"You know he is." She responded as I nodded and she went in for an uncomfortable hug.
"Hey Buddy." Marley crept in for a hug.
"Hey." He smiled, softening as he wrapped his arms around her.
The room fell practically silent and then I realized I still hadn't said anything, and everyone expected me to.
"Let's take a look at the spread guys." Alex said, referring to the food that had been arranged in the suite.
When the group had gathered behind me and began mumbling things to each other the three feet of space between Jack and I felt like three inches.
"How you been Peyton?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I uh--" I said, pushing my hair behind my ear. "Good. Yeah, good and you?"
"Alright." He said.
"How are your parents?" I asked.
"Ask em' yourself." He smiled.
"Peyton Cane." The soothing voice of Jim Hughes sang from behind me.
"Hey Jim." I smiled as I turned to see him and Ellen.
"Just as beautiful as I remember." He grinned pulling me in for a big hug.
"Not as beautiful as your wife." I smiled as Ellen wrapped me in her warm embrace.
"The daughter I never had, I needed this hug." She giggled in my ear.
"Me too." I sighed.
"Boys, just as ugly as I remember." Jim teased as the group crowded around him.
"Oh sweetheart how are you?" Ellen asked.
"Honestly? Blind sided." I told her.
"Quinn didn't tell you we were in town?" She asked.
"He's chalk full of surprises, that one." I smiled.
"Like the jersey? You still look good in a Hughes uniform." Ellen smiled.
"Not too loud, Luke might hear you." I grinned, making her laugh.
"Pucks dropping!" Cole called.
The boys filed into the seats in anticipation of the game and the remaining seat was open beside Jack. He gave me a half smile before gesturing for me to sit down.
