“I know, Liam. We love you, but it’s time for you to handle your own life.”
“I get it, Pop and I’m on it.” I pull her in for a goodbye hug. “I never meant to take advantage of you. I’m sorry that happened.”
“Oh, Liam. I love you with all my heart, and I’ve always enjoyed taking care of you. We’ll still be here if you need us.”
She pats my back and gives me a reassuring smile so I know all is forgiven in her book. Although I’m pretty sure I haven’t forgiven myself. That may take a while.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too.”
They walk me to the door, and she hands me a shopping bag full of paperwork and a Tupperware full of cookies. Gonna need my emotional support cookies to get through this mess.
“What’s this?” I hold up the bag.
“It’s all your paperwork. I’ve written everything down for you, and the spreadsheets are all saved on a portable hard drive. Everything should be in there.”
I wince. Spreadsheets. I think college was the last time I even used my laptop for anything other than a movie. My chest tightens up, and I swallow against the dryness in my throat. Looks like I’ll be revisiting those business classes. I should have paid more attention. Hockey seemed so much more important back then.
I thank Mom for the cookies and give her one last hug. Dad claps me on the back and tells me to drive safely.
As I’m pulling away, my hands are shaking and my mind goes full speed ahead, trying to get a handle on everything that needs to be done. I’m not sure where to begin, but this mistake is mine to fix, so I harden my resolve. I promised Dad, and I won’t let him down, even if my life has become significantly more complicated. Adulting sucks.
Liam
The passenger pickup lane at Denver International Airport is a mess, but Walker and I have already picked a spot to meet at the very end of the terminal. This way we can grab his gear and go. He’s exactly where he said he’d be, blond head standing out above the crowd. He’s got no intention of ever going back to New York, so I knew he’d have a lot of gear. I’m glad I brought my Range Rover, because there’s more than I thought. I step out of the car and wave.
“Walks, over here, man.”
His blue eyes light up and heads toward me, grinning from ear to ear, and easily carrying four bags at a time. Show off.
“Fergie!” Jesus, I hate that nickname. I’m so shutting that shit down. There’s no way that’s catching on here. Fergs is bad enough.
I shake my head, but I’m grinning as I open up the back hatch so that we can load up all his luggage. Undeterred, Walker comes in for a bro hug, dropping his luggage on the ground with a thud.
“Bro, I’ve missed your sorry ass! How fucking cool is that we’re playing together again?” He slaps me on the back with his typical enthusiasm before heading back for more of his gear. Fuck, it’s so good to see him.
By the time we get his gear stowed and we’re headed out of the airport, I’m shaking off my headache and feeling more optimistic.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening. Thought I’d never get back to Colorado. I almost dropped the damn phone when my agent called me with their offer. Un-fucking-real.”
“Yeah, I was shocked, but in a good way. Big changes coming up this year for the team, yeah?” I can’t wait to hear what he thinks about our new team situation. We’ve kept each other up to date on our respective teams, so he knows what he’s walking into. He didn’t love the guys on his old team, but even he’s agreed it was nothing compared to the issues I had with the Wolves.
“Something had to give. No offense but your team was seriously fucked up last year. I’m pretty stoked about the changes. Gotta tell ya, I never would have signed with your old GM. Guy was a complete asshole. Hey, did you see they brought in Orlova on defense? That guy’s a beast.”
His excitement is contagious, and I let him go on for a bit about the team. This is pure Walker King. Loud and in your face, but loyal to a fault. He just needs to get all the thoughts out of his head before he can listen. I’m pretty sure he’s been saving this all up for weeks.
I smile because this is us. This is our dynamic. It’s so familiar, like watching your favorite movie again. I let myself sink into the comfort of listening to him talk. God, I’ve missed him.
“So, what’s up in your life?” he asks, and that’s my cue that it’s my turn to info dump. I smirk. Well, he’s got a surprise coming this time.
“Guess who got offered Captain?” I say as we hit a red light, looking over and waggling my eyebrows at him.
“Shut up! For real?” I think that’s the first time I’ve surprised him in quite a while. Usually, it’s the other way around.
“For real. I know, crazy, huh?”
“Bro. That’s outstanding. You so deserve it. No one works harder than you.”
