Cormac
The next day, I arrived back in Houston after a brutal loss to the Avalanche. Nik and Naese were both limping, thanks to some dirty high-sticking, and Cruz’s hand was taped because of a broken ring finger. On the plus side, Ida Jane had promised to help me shop for the perfect ring.
“You can’t take my girl ring shopping,” Maxim snarled when I told him the plan. We were still seated on the plane, waiting for the jet bridge so we could exit.
“I’m not buyingIda Janea ring; I’m buying one for Keelie.”
Maxim had been angry since we left. Based on how he’d just tried to rip my head off, he and Ida Jane weren’t getting along. I wondered if they’d be able to work out whatever their issue was, but I didn’t ask—Maxim wouldn’t tell me until he was ready.
“I’ll go with you,” he said. “The two of you, I mean.” He smiled, his eyes taking on a devious glint. “Then I’ll know what Ida Jane likes when I’m ready to propose.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “Whatever, man. It’s just got to be discreet. I want this to be a surprise.”
“All the more reason I should go,” he said. “People will think I’m buying a ring for Ida Jane.” He scowled. “Maybe that’ll flush out her piece-of-shit ex.”
I slapped his shoulder. “Solid plan. So, next week—Friday’s best, according to Ida Jane. After practice.”
Eight days. Just over one week and I’d be able to complete my plan—and make sure Keelie understood how important she was to me.
“I’ll make sure Ida Jane can meet us on her lunch break.”
I grabbed my carry-on and deplaned, looking forward to seeing Keelie.
The moment I walked in the door at home, I clasped her to me. “Damn, I enjoy having you here,” I said against her lips.
Hers curved upward. “I like it, too.”
Asking her to move in was on the tip of my tongue, but I held off. No. I’d ask her to marry me first. Keelie needed to feel secure before she took the leap of giving up her house. I wouldn’t ask her to move in again until she knew I meant forever.
While she put away her work materials and took a shower, I finished up dinner—the whitefish she enjoyed. We settled at the table, and I picked up her hand to kiss her knuckles. I looked forward to my ring living on her finger. Very, very much.
“How was school?” I asked.
“Good. Andy’s making so much progress.” Her smile turned bittersweet. “I don’t think he’ll need to be in my class next year.”
“Is it hard when the kids move on?”
She nodded. “Yes, but it’s tempered.” She took a sip of her drink. “I mean, that’s what’s supposed to happen if I’m good at my job.”
“I wish you could see yourself through my eyes,” I said.
She glanced up with a shy smile. “I’m learning.”
I rose from my seat and pulled her from hers, kissing her the way I wanted to. We ended up not eating dinner until later, but we were both okay with that.
Keelie cameto our game the next evening, Thursday, and then the next day I had to get ready for another away game. I wished Ida Jane could take time off to look at rings before next Friday, but she was slammed with projects. I considered going by myself, but I needed theperfectring. Nothing else would do. I had little time, anyway. We were scheduled to fly out this afternoon for our two-game series, first in Nashville on Saturday night, then Dallas on Sunday.
I’d left Keelie a message telling her our departure was going to be earlier than expected, so I wouldn’t get to see her before we left. My doorbell rang just as a text popped up.
Forgot to tell you today was a half day! I’m on my way home. See you soon.
I smiled, glad I’d get to spend some time with Keelie before I left. Checking the video screen, I frowned when I saw Shannon at my front door. “Damn meddling mother,” I mumbled. I didn’t want Keelie to run into Shannon, but I also didn’t want Shannon in my house. I muttered a curse, deciding my best course of action was to explain once and for all that I’d moved on.
I opened the door. “Shannon.”
“Cormac. Thank goodness you’re here. I really need to talk to you.”
I ground my teeth together. “Does it matter that I have nothing to say?”
