“Hey, Noah.” I take a breath, steadying myself as he strides over to the counter. Noah doesn’t miss a beat, he simply holds out a knuckle for Bill, and Bill bumps his fist like they are old friends.
“Hey, Bill,” Noah says as he straddles the stool and leans forward on his elbows.
“Tonight’s the big first game already.” Bill’s smile fills his whole face. “Are you ready?”
A rush of something soft overwhelms my chest as I witness Bill launching a conversation, and Noah’s entire face lights up. It’s like they’re in their own little world. And here I am, standing behind the counter, feeling completely lost in my heart.
On one hand it feels like it’s everything I didn’t even know I could dream of.
But on the other hand, it feels like everything hard is getting all tangled up together.
Things are about to get messy fast.
If I had it my way, Bill wouldn’t be coming into this diner unannounced and plopping at the counter like he’s part of my world. This has always been my private safe place, but as I lean against the counter, a smile forms at my lips, because he fits here.
Maybe this is how it’s supposed to be?
Deep in conversation now, they more than likely forgot I was even standing here. I grab breakfast platters from the window to run to my teachers. When I turn around, Bill looks over at me, catching my eye with a playful wink as Noah turns away. My cheeks warm and my heart races, as I can’t handle this kind of overlap.
I need to decide now if Bill is going to be in my life, and then I need to tell Noah.
Noah’s a grown kid and all, but I don’t want him to have excess stress about his job because of this relationship.
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
My head is spinning when I return to them and pull out my notepad, looking first at Noah. “Cakes and eggs or meatloaf?”
“Not meatloaf,” he groans. “I ate that every day while you were gone, remember?”
“Cake and eggs.” I scribble on my pad and turn to Bill. “And for you, sir. Your usual cakes and bacon?”
His lips pinch together. He has to feel awkward as I stand here pretending that I barely know him. I hold my breath, as I expect him to say something to blow my cover, but he just nods. “That will be perfect. Thank you.”
Noah peers up at the black-and-white TV above them, giving me a moment to roll my eyes at Bill, and his smile seats wide across his face. I busy myself with the morning rush of customers, while Bill and Noah sit comfortably together, having breakfast. Every time I catch them out of the corner of my eye, my heart swells. I get guys can talk sports with anyone, but Bill wouldn’t be here, making the effort with Noah, if he didn’t care.
Of all the things he’s done these last few days to win my affection, it’s this…coming into my little-greasy-diner world and spending time with my son that takes my breath away the most.
I never saw Bill coming.
But now that he’s here, and I’m seeing how perfectly he fits into my life, I want him more than ever.
twenty-eight
Bill
The brand-new Mapleton arena buzzes with so much electric energy, my heart speeds up as it takes it all in.
This is it.
The dream I chased ever since my NHL career was cut short. It’s crazy how back then I thought my reason for living had died. I couldn’t imagine a life without hockey at the center. Somehow the dream of owning my own team took over my mind and it was like a light, the only thing to pull me out of my misery.
Nowmy teamis in front of me, huddled inmy locker room.
The whole night feels surreal as I clear my throat, even though I don’t need to gather anyone’s attention. The room went dead silent the moment I walked in. “All right, guys, we made it through training camp. As hard as it is to believe, it’s our first game. We want to win, but more importantly, we want to play as a team. We are just as good as any other team. You have to believe we are better. Don’t let doubts take over. Let’s go out there, play clean, and work together.”
The guys all nod with wide eyes but are content to stay quiet. Or maybe not content as much as scared silent. Coach Carlson points to the door, a stern expression planted on his face. “Hit the ice.”
Everyone files out, and I follow them as I head to my suite, above our goal. I slip through the tunnel, the thrum of my own pulse loud in my ears. The elevator doors slide shut behind me, and the hum pricks at my nerves, further magnifying all my insecurities about tonight.
