“Dude, seriously? The cup should be your dream.”
I shake my head. The cup is still important to me; it’s the pinnacle of my career aspirations, and I don’t want to let the guys down. But my obsession with winning the cup was always about doing something that would make my dad proud, and if my time away from the team in this town has taught me anything, it’s that his legacy in my life was never about a championship. It was the quiet moments before the games when we’d sit in the parking lot and talk about anything that wasn’t hockey. It was the way he softly danced with my mom when she was upset. Or wore a purple polka-dotted bow tie to a Sporting Award ceremony because I bought it for him with my money.
That was my dad. That was his legacy.
The fact that he won the cup multiple times doesn’t even crack my top ten for why he’s my hero.
And if I want a long-lasting legacy, the cup won’t be mine either. It will be something I create with the woman I love instead.
* * *
A wave of cloves,nutmeg, and cinnamon greets me, entering Gus and Aulie’s. My mouth waters, even though I just ate way too many donuts.
A new tablecloth and a smattering of plates and cups sit on the dining room table. A growl works in the back of my throat. What the hell? She should be in bed, resting—not cooking and setting tables.
Fuck, and she probably used her cast iron pan, and that thing is heavy as shit.
My traitorous stomach pulls to the table with excitement. It’s missed Aulie’s cooking something terrible over the past few weeks.
“Shit, something smells good.” Grady inhales next to me.
“Thank you!” Aulie peeks her head out of the kitchen. “Have a seat. I’m almost done in here.”
Walking over creaky floorboards, I enter the maple cabineted kitchen and hand Aulie her coffee. “What are you doing up? You should be resting.” I grump, laying a kiss on her cheek.
“Oh, what a nice treat! Thank you! And I felt decent and figured you’d be hungry.” She scrunches her nose as I pull away. “You stink.”
“So does his hockey,” Grady laughs in the doorway. “Which is why his ass is shipping off to Boston tomorrow.”
Wow. Way to hang me out to dry, bud.
Aulie’s lips quiver like she’s fighting a frown, and I shoot a scowl in Grady’s direction.
“Tomorrow? Really?” she says, not meeting my eyes. “Did you already tell me, and I just forgot?”
“Unfortunately, no. It’s—uhm—a sudden change of plans. I was a little rustier than I expected this morning, and my legs could use some love from the trainers, too.”
“Right. Well, that makes sense. It is your job, after all.” She flashes me a weak smile and turns to the stove, stirring something in a large pot.
Tell me to stay.A ridiculous part of me nearly begs.Sure, it’s my job, but you’re my everything.The words I want to let slip past my mouth follow.
But I can’t let the guys down.
“I’m going to rinse off,” Grady says, stepping on his heels. His knack for setting a fire and then leaving is impressive…and annoying.
I approach Aulie at the stove, wrapping my hands around her hips and turning her to me. Again, her eyes don’t reach mine, and I tuck a finger under her chin, lifting it. “Hey. Just because I have to return to Boston doesn’t mean I’m leaving you.”
With her history of abandonment, I imagine this sudden departure is freaking her out. Even if she’d never show or say it.
“I know. I get it and I’m going to miss you. But you have a job, responsibilities, and a team of guys that rely on you—and you have to do what’s right by them. I’ll count down the days until you visit again at Thanksgiving and be fine. Promise.”
I swallow. I don’t know if staying this ridiculously happy is doing right by my teammates, but hopefully, returning to the city and being in my routine will help me get the fire back I didn’t have this morning.
“So actually—” I rub my neck. Heat rises to my cheeks. It’s probably too soon to have this talk, but maybe where she’s bummed it isn’t. “I wanted to talk to you—”
Aulie pulls at her fingertips as her face falls. “Oh yeah, of course, but I promise, whatever you need, I’m cool with.”
I suppress a chuckle, because her flustered appearance looks anything but cool. “Okay, great, because what I need is you. So when the fair is over, and we have a home stretch—would you maybe want to come to Boston and stay with me? I can set up a little desk in the living room so you can still work.”
