"I'll visit,"I say, surprised by how much I want to do it."And when you're allowed, I'll call you. A lot."
Dad nods, his shoulders relaxing a little."They said there's family therapy sessions… later on in the program. If you want…"He lets the invitation hang.
"Yeah."My voice comes out rough."Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
The intake counselor comes back in, her clipboard in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. She hands it to Dad with an encouraging smile."Ready for those assessments, Mr. Collings?"
He squares his shoulders."As I'll ever be."He turns to me."You don't need to stay for this part, son."
Something in his tone reminds me of Mom. That gentle firmness she'd get when she knewexactlywhat we needed. "You're sure?'
"I'm sure."He attempts a smile. It's rusty but real."Besides, you've got a plane to catch. The team needs their captain."
I hesitate at the door, watching him settle into the chair across from the counselor. He looks smaller in the institutional lighting, but somehow stronger too. Like he'sfinallyready to face everything he's been drowning in whiskey for the past twenty years.
"I'm proud of you too, Dad,"I sayquietly. Then, before I can overthink it, I step forward and pull him into a hug. He stiffens for a moment. We haven't hugged each other like this since Mom's funeral, but when his arms come up around me, they're still strong, despite his shakes. We hold on to each other for a while, both of us pretending not to notice the other's damp eyes when we pull apart. And then I slip out before either of us can get more emotional.
Once I'm in my rental car, I pull out my phone. In the parking lot, I pull out my phone. Three texts from Jamie, each one making my heart beat faster. One from Louis asking for updates. And a missed call from Coach, confirming our practice time tomorrow, while also telling me to take as much time as I need to make sure my dad is okay.
Real life waiting to resume.
But for the first time in forever, I'm not dreading it. Not hiding from it. Dad's doing the work to make himself a better person. Maybe it's time I did too.
Chapter 23
JAMIE
The practice facility's parking lot is deserted when I pull in at 6 AM, Seattle's skyline barely visible through the pre-dawn fog. My hands shake as I punch in the door code. Two hours early for practice, because sleep was fucking impossible. Not with Rylan coming back today.
Every time I close my eyes, I hear those sounds he made during our call. That broken little gasp when he came.
Focus, Pirelli.
It's been a couple of nights since our video call, and I still don't know what it means. If it means anything. The texts we've exchanged have been carefully professional. They've been mostly about the team, and a couple of updates about his dad. But nothing about us.
I need to get my shit together. I've worked too hard rebuilding my reputation here to risk it all going sideways. We only have one win in our first four games, and that is notgoodenough. I need to prove I'm an asset, not a liability. One more scandal with my name attached and all the trust I've earned disappears.
Greg, the early-morning custodian, waves through the glass as he resurfaces the ice. The familiar sound of the Zamboni should be soothing, but my heart's still racing. The locker room feels different. It's emptier without Rylan's precise routines setting our rhythm. His perfectly organized stall sits untouched, just the way he left it. Before everything changed.
"You're early, Pirelli."
My whole body goes hot then cold. Rylan stands in the doorway, and fuck, helooks... different. Still hot as fuck in business casual instead of his usual suit, but there's something softer about his edges. It's likemaybesome of that rigid control has eased a tiny bit. His eyes meet mine for a fraction of a second before darting away, but it's enough to send electricity shooting down my spine.
I want to push him against the wall and find out if his lips taste asgoodas I remember. Want to see if I can make him fall apart in person the way he did over the phone.
"Hey,"he says, his voice neutral. But I notice the little tremble in his hands when he sets down his bag.
"Welcome back, Cap,"Louis says easily, appearing from nowhere like the sneaky bastard he is."How'd it go yesterday with your dad?"
"Better."Rylan's voice is quiet but steady."Got him settled in Vancouver. The facility seemsgood."
I watch him move through his usual pre-practice routine, cataloging tiny differences. His movements are still precise but less... militant somehow. Likemaybehe's not fighting himself quite so hard.
"Pirelli."My name in his mouth sends heat flooding through me."You're here early."
I needed to see you. I can't stop thinking about you. I want to kiss you until you make those sounds again.
"Couldn't sleep,"I manage, missing the casual tone I was aiming for by about a mile. My gearsuddenlyneeds reorganization, giving me an excuse not to meet his eyes.
