My distress turned into determination. If I only had a few weeks to enjoy Ida Jane, I was going to enjoy every single second.
* * *
“Glad you allcould make it to end-of-season mingle,” Coach Whittaker said.
He motioned me forward, and I stepped up beside him. “It’s too bad we got knocked out in game six of the conference finals, but you all played hard. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built here.”
Coach Whittaker beamed at us players. We were in Cormac’s backyard because he’d insisted on hosting this shindig. I didn’t mind—we were two minutes from my place. But the venue had surprised me until I realized Cormac was using it as an engagement party as well, even though he and Keelie were getting married in Hawaii in a couple weeks.
I idly wondered how Keelie felt about combining the big announcement with the end-of-season debrief. And Ida Jane hadn’t had an engagement party at all. I frowned, unhappy that my wife had missed out on any part of the wedding process.
No, she hadn’t missed out on parts of it—she’d missed out onallof it.
I straightened to my full height as an idea hit me.
“We’re still looking at a few players to fill out our roster now that Quentin’s officially retired,” Coach said. He raised his glass to Quentin, who raised his in return. Quentin would be helping the coaching staff this season because our crew of goalies was young—some of the youngest in the league. Adam had suffered a lingering groin injury during the last game, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to return at full capacity. That sucked because Adam was one of my favorite players.
But that was the deal with hockey: new faces, new chemistry, new relationships.
Coach slapped my shoulder. I hadn’t been paying attention, too introspective about the constancy of change in our industry. I nodded politely.
“This guy’s been playing with an added weight on his shoulders, and he focused on what’s important. That’s why Maxim will share in the co-captaincy next year with Cormac.”
My eyes widened, and I shot a look at Cormac as he raised his glass of water. “You’re going to hate the responsibility and handling all the whining,” he said, absolutely gleeful at the prospect. He wrapped his arm around Keelie’s neck and smacked a kiss on her cheek. “Plus, I got some fantastic additional responsibilities.” He smiled into her upturned face, removing his arm from her neck to rub her stomach. They’d told us earlier that Keelie was pregnant.
Damn, Cormac looked besotted. Did I look at Ida Jane like that? I did.
“Yeah, that’s the look,” Naese exclaimed. “Totally going to tell you all my worries while you’re glaring at me.”
“Dick,” I mumbled.
“Anyway,” Coach Whittaker said, ready to take back the floor from the jokesters. “As most of you know, we found out last year there was an issue with Maxim’s residency. He’s been tugged all over the place, unsure if he’d remain in the country to finish the season. I’d say he proved how cool he was under pressure.”
Ida Jane stood on the edge of the crowd, just returning from the restroom. Her bright smile slid off her face as I heard one player who’d come up from the minor leagues ask if that’s why I’d gotten married so suddenly.
Much as I wanted to elbow my way to my wife, Coach still had his hand on my shoulder. Panic settled in. I hadn’t told her about my Green Card coming in. I knew she knew about it, thanks to her father, but I’d lied…well, more like hadn’t been honest. Another lie of omission. I needed more time with her, to make sure she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
“To Maxim! Now, not only a Wildcatters captain, but a Green Card holder!”
“To Maxim!”
I shook off Coach and pushed past a couple of the guys. Ida Jane seemed to realize I was trying to get to her then because she leaped forward and threw her arms around my neck.
“Keep me, keep me, keep me,” she chanted repeatedly. Her breath caught and her voice broke but she held on. I heard a rip, then her legs wrapped around my waist.
She clung to me, desperate to be near me. Holding me as tightly as I’d always wanted to embrace her. I closed my stinging eyes and drew a deep breath of her special scent.
“I love you,” I whispered into her hair. “I love you.”
“D-d-don’t divorce me.Please, Maxim. K-keep me.”
I pulled back a little, hard to do with her holding on tighter than a starfish to a rock in a tide pool. “Breathe, krasivaya. That’s it. You look so beautiful, even with your mascara running down your cheeks.” I swiped at the drippy makeup, knowing she’d hate looking less than her best.
“I wish I knew Russian,” our newest and youngest team member mumbled from somewhere behind me. “I’d get so much more pus—ow!”
I didn’t have to look over to know Cruz slapped the dumb kid.
“I love you, Ida Jane Dolov, never-again-to-be Barlow. You are mywife, but more importantly, my life. Do you hear me? I refuse to let you go. Not now, not in the future. I won’t do it, so don’t ask.” I rested my forehead against hers. “You are my everything.”
