“Look at the back.”
When she turned it over and saw her name printed across the top and the number below, she went still.
“Thirty-three,” she whispered. “My mom’s number.”
“I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it is.” Tears were starting to gather in her eyes, and I stepped forward. I longed to reach out and comfort her, but I knew I shouldn’t.
“We can’t change what happened in the past. But you belong out there on the ice, and it sounds like she did, too. Maybe we can give this number a new chapter? Write the kind of story your mom deserved.”
“I like the sound of that.” Mackenzie was still staring at the jersey, and as she looked up a tear escaped and fell down her cheek. I gave into my urges and reached across the gap between us to wipe it away with my thumb. She tensed for a split second but then closed her eyes and sighed.
“Thank you, Parker,” she whispered. “For everything.”
The tremor in her voice struck me deep inside.
“I should leave you to get ready,” I said, dropping my hand.
She nodded. “I’ll see you out there.”
As I made for the door, I glanced back at Mackenzie one last time. Her eyes were still wet with tears, but joy sparkled through them as she lifted her jersey to admire it. The sight only intensified the warmth in my chest. Just a few weeks ago I craved her scowls and her anger, but now I knew there would never be anything more addictive than watching her smile because of me. It felt like I could spend a lifetime doing smallthings to make her happy and never grow tired of it.
Once I’d finally dragged myself out the door, I hurried to the boys’ locker room to get ready. I greeted my teammates before sitting next to Seth. He was eating a very suspect-looking burrito.
“Where the hell did you get that?” I asked as I unzipped my bag.
“Gas station on the way here. You want some?”
“I think I’m okay.” And Reed had thought my pregame meal was bad. I was usually down to eat just about anything, but even I knew there were limits.
“You sure? I already had two.”
“Nope. All yours.” It wasn’t often that I felt smart, but sometimes Seth made me feel like a genius.
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged. “Your brothers back for the game?”
“Yep. They’ve been making sure I remember just how important it is to win tonight—like I could forget.”
“Pfft. We don’t need reminding. We’ll get this done.”
“Yeah, we will.”
I heard the door swing open and frowned when Elliot entered the room. “Ford, what are you doing back here?”
“I’ve got good news.” He held his arms wide and raised his voice so everyone could hear. “Doc says I’m cleared to play. Isn’t that great?”
The room went quiet. No one seemed relieved or excited; instead, they all looked confused. Elliot hadn’t practiced with us for a month, and I knew everyone had noticed how he’d mostly avoided our team bonding efforts.
“You’re really back?” Owen asked.
“Yep.”
“I thought you were out for a couple more weeks at least,” I said.
“I’m obviously a medical marvel,” Elliot said with a smirk.
“Maybe so, but you don’t just front up to a game after weeks without practice and expect time on the ice.”
