Nico takes my hand and leads me over to the benches. We talk for a few moments before he has to go back on the ice and keep practicing. I plan to stay and keep watching, considering Connor and Étienne took off. I have no idea where they are, but I’d rather not find out. I’d love nothing more than to sit here and watch Nico in his element.
Epilogue
Nico
One month later…
“What do you think about this one?” Roman asks.
“Too close.”
“I thought you wanted to be near your family?”
“Not that close. I need them to know I want to be independent. I want them to understand I’m moving away to live my own life.”
“And you can’t just say that?” he asks. “This house is…”
“Roman,” I warn playfully.
“Fine. Here. You look then.” He goes through his bags, organizing the clothes to prepare for his flight tomorrow.
I gladly take his phone and scroll through the listings in the Montreal area. Roman is ready to move as soon as possible.Once we have a house and it’s paid for, that’s it. Sure, moving in together may be a quick move, but when you know, you know.
Roman is like ice skating for me. I knew I loved it the first time I experienced it. Nothing is ever going to change. It’s my life now.
Roman signed a contract with the Tornadoes, and so living in Montreal works out for us. It keeps me in the area too, which is nice.
“Should we consult Connor and Étienne?” I ask.
Roman raises a brow. “You’re asking me that? You’re the one who can’t stand your cousin.”
“Hey, that’s a love-hate relationship. I only dislike him when he’s talking.”
“Oh, well that makes total sense.” Roman rolls his eyes.
“We will just decide on a house and tell them after. They can choose what they do.”
“Good idea.”
The last couple of months have been busy. Me with practices, media touring, fundraisers. Roman with playoff games—bummer they didn’t win, but he makes sure to tell me every day that it doesn’t matter because he has me and that makes him a winner.
It’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Roman is the sweetest man I have ever met. I hate when we aren’t together, but I keep reminding myself that soon we will be. As much as we can be between our busy lives. But this is who we are, and we support each other fully. We will make it work.
“Oh, how about this one?” I say, handing it back to him. “It has a big yard for Taco… and friends.”
Roman laughs as he takes his phone. He scrolls through the photos quickly.
“I like it. Let’s get it.”
“Seriously? Just like that?”
“Nico, I don’t care about the house. Anywhere will be fine as long as you’re there.”
“Don’t say things like that,” I whine. “It makes me want to fuck you.”
He frowns. “What is wrong with that?”
