“And the video history?”
“I was curious. Does it bother you?”
I think about that for a moment then shake my head. “No. But there’s no way I’m watching myself. Especially not that one. I’m mortified you’ve seen as much as you have.”
“Really? You don’t do that? We have to watch game clips constantly.”
“Sure, but not with other people and not anything that old.”
“We can fast forward to last year?” he suggests.
Even the progress I’ve made since last year makes it hard to go back. He must pick up on my hesitation because he says, “Never mind. I have a better idea.”
Travis goes deep in the archive of his hockey career and shows me clips from his first pro season. He is adorable. His hair was longer and shaggier and his features softer, but he has the same playful smile and easy charm.
He groans when he misses a shot wide at the buzzer. I fight back a smile. I know what he’s doing, trying to make me feel better, and it’s working.
“I had friends from high school there that night too. I felt like such a chump.” He continues to stare at the screen where a younger Travis skates off the ice.
I’m busy staring at him, now.
He glances over and gives me a small grin.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks with a laugh.
“Reminding me that we all start somewhere. Look at you now.” I motion toward him. “You’re wildly successful.”
“And way more handsome.”
“Hmm…I don’t know. You’re kind of old and haggard by comparison.”
His mouth falls open and I let out a giggle.
“Punk.” He tosses a throw pillow at me.
Travis navigates to another clip and I curl up with the pillow.
My eyes are heavy and my legs are sore from a day of tumbling. I must doze off because I wake up to a blanket being placed over me.
“I should go to bed,” I say, then curl up underneath the soft, warm blanket.
The next time I wake up, I’ve moved from my end of the couch closer to Travis. My head rests on his thigh and his arm rests lightly along my shoulder and waist.
“Did I accost you in my sleep?” My voice is rough and quiet. I’m wondering just how humiliated I should be right now.
Instantly his gaze moves from the screen to me and he smiles. “Nah. I think you were just looking for a pillow.”
I smile back and sit up. “Sorry about that.”
“I didn’t mind. I miss cuddling. It’s been a while.”
It hits me, not for the first time, what he’s giving up staying married to me. Even if he claims it’s no big deal, I’m a huge cock block. He can’t even freaking cuddle with another woman right now.
I stand and fold the blanket. “Hopefully not too much longer. Training is going well, and Coach thinks I’ll be ready for the Winter Classic.”
He nods slowly but doesn’t look as happy as I’d expect. “That’s great. I’m sure you’re going to kill it.”
