DAKOTA

I look very out of place in the airport right now.

I'm picking Connors and I's parents up and taking them straight to the arena from the airport. Because of that, I'm already dripping in UMich hockey gear. I'm currently wearing a UMich beanie, stickers under each eye, crew socks, and Connor's away jersey.

Just as I pull out my phone to check the time, I hear screaming.

"Dakota, baby!" I see two middle-aged women running at me with their arms stretched out. Before I know it, I'm sandwiched between them as they squeeze all of the air out of my body.

"Too tight," I manage to get out between small laughs that sound more like wheezing.

The two quickly release me, but leave a hand on my arm as they smile at me. "My beautiful girl, I missed you too much" my mom look at me with tears in her eyes.

I laugh again, "mom, I was home a month ago."

"Shh, just let me be emotional." She acts as if she's wiping tears away with a laugh.

"Dakota, you just get more and more gorgeous every time I see you," it's now Colleen's turn to fawn over me.

I just smile in response, seeing our father's come up behind the moms.

"Dad!" I push forward, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing, before moving over to Connor's dad, Dean.

Our families have spent holidays and birthdays together for the past eleven years, once Connor and I started refusing to spend them apart. At this point, we're basically one big, happy, blended family.

"As excited as I am to see you all, we really need to get moving. The boys will throw a fit if I'm not next to the ice by the end of warmups." All of the parents laugh, knowing how true the statement is, as we head out to the car.

I got to drive Connor's truck today, my little Subaru Outback being too small to comfortably fit everyone. He claims I'm a shit driver when I really just enjoy going fast, so getting to drive his precious baby is always fun.

I get us to the arena in no time, ushering the parents to walk faster as warmups end in less than ten minutes.

Once inside, they all head to our seats a few rows behind the penalty box while I head down to the glass. We had to buy tickets for today's game so that we could all sit together. Connor was upset I'd be so far from the bench, but he'll get over it.

I slap my hands against the glass a few times, quickly getting Connor and Parker's attention. I wave like an idiot at them with the biggest smile on my face. Connor returns the wave while Parker just sends me a bright smile.

"Did she make it in one piece?" Connor asks once he and Parker reach me. And before you get it wrong, he's talking about his beloved truck, not his poor mother.

I flash him my middle finger while rolling my eyes. "Fuck you, it's fine."

Parker just laughs at our exchange, not taking his eyes off of me. I notice he keeps glancing down at my jersey though.

Weird.

"Kick some Notre Dame ass boys!" I give the glass one more hit as warmups come to an end, before heading back to my seat.

~

Parker is on fire tonight.

Connor told me he was acting in a funk at practice the other day, but I'd say after his second goal and third assist that he was over whatever it was.

We're up 3-0 thanks to him and Connor. They're together on the first line, Connor playing right-wing and Parker at the center. Every time they jump on the ice, I'm on the edge of my seat, screaming my head off. I like to consider myself an unofficial assist on every goal, truly, they'd be nowhere without my words of wisdom.

With three minutes left in the third, Coach throws the boys on the ice one last time just as the puck slides into the neutral zone. Parker is on it, securing a breakaway, and I watch in awe as he fakes out the opposing goalie and tucks it into the back of the net.

The entire arena explodes after, watching our newbie score a hat trick after only two games with UMich. The hats are raining down on the ice as Connor and Brooks tackle him into the boards, their smiles beaming.

Parker leads the boys back to the bench for the customary line of fist bumps, but his fist drops as he passes Lincon, skimming over him completely. His head turns, eyes meeting mine, and he shoots me a wink. I let out a light laugh, knowing he's holding back for me.

I can't wait to be back behind the bench next week.

~

As usual, Brooks is the first of the guys to come out of the tunnel, and skips over me, running straight into the waiting arms of my mother.

When she found out three years ago that he was an elementary education major, her Kindergarten teacher's heart just about burst. Sometimes I think he's her favorite thing about making the trip to Michigan.

Next out of the doors is Connor, who wraps an arm around me and places a quick kiss on my cheek, before reaching out to his parents.

I stand back for a few minutes, watching everyone reunite with a content smile on my face.

I hear the doors open once more, and turn my head to see Parker stroll out, looking even more handsome with wet hair from his shower. I smile and walk towards him, pulling my beanie off and softly tossing it at him.

He catches it with a chuckle, "get over here." He drops his bag and wraps his muscular arms around my shoulders, pulling me into him and giving me a light squeeze.

After a few seconds, I lean back and look into those green eyes that I've come to obsess over. "You played great, congrats on your first hat trick as a Wolverine."

"Thank you for cheering me on, Kota." His words hold nothing but sincerity as he pulls me back in, head resting on top of mine.

"You dodged Lincon's fist bump," I point out, my tone flat.

He pulls back, looking at me with a smirk. "Figure you'd prefer that to an accidental fist to the face," he shrugs.

I say nothing, giving him another quick squeeze as a silent 'thank you.'

When we finally pull apart, he shoves my beanie back on top of my head, playfully pulling it down over my eyes. I lift it back up, rolling my eyes before grabbing his bicep and pulling him towards the group.

Connor's dad sees us approach and his hand immediately shoots out at Parker, "hell of a game son. Con's told us a lot about you, you seem to be a great asset to the team."

"Thank you, sir, it means a lot." Parker returns his handshake before moving on to my dad, who also showers him with praise.

I finally get to have my turn with Brooks, who wraps me in a bear hug, lifting me and spinning in circles while I laugh loudly. After setting me down, he leans down to my ear and whispers, "two weeks and I can already hear the wedding bells."

"I think you've taken one too many pucks to the head," I tease as I pat his chest, turning back to my family, watching as the moms are asking Parker a million questions.

"Parker, will you be joining us for dinner?"

"Oh, no ma'am," he scratches the back of his neck. "I'm going to head back with Brooks, need to call my parents."

"What a shame," my mom's eyes flicker between him and I. "It was very nice to meet you, though. I hope we get to see you again soon," she pats his arm.

Connor cuts in, "I convinced him to come down for new years, don't worry."

I perk up, not knowing anything about this. Parker's eyes meet mine, and I can't hold in my satisfied smile. His lips turn up not long after mine, only flattening when Coach pops his head out the door and calls his name.

"Be right there! It was nice meeting you all," he looks towards the parents, "have a good rest of your trip."

He glances at me once more before heading down the hall.

"Well, I'm starved," my dad groans, "let's get going."

~

Connor and I ride separate from my parents and pull into the restaurant seconds behind them. My mom has a mischievous expression on her face as we approach.

"Kota, isn't it just so sad Parker couldn't make it tonight?"

My eyebrows pull together, "I wouldn't call it sad, mom. He had things to do."

"I suppose," she exaggerates a sigh. "He is handsome though."

"Mom! He's like thirty years younger than you," I laugh.

"Not for her," Connor's mom jumps in. "We saw you all over eachother in the hallway," she wags her eyebrows.

"I hug your kid all the time," I wiggle my pointer finger at her. "Let's talk about Brooks."

They both take the bait, diving into how much they love Brooks and wish they could trade us out for him.

______

Happy Sunday!

I think my normal upload schedule will be Monday/Thursday, but I have a very busy week ahead so you get this one a little bit early!

We'll see the parents again next month when Dakota and Connor head home for Thanksgiving, but for now we just get a small glimpse at them.