I laugh and he joins me. When our laughter dies down, I tell him, “I love you, Dad, even if you’re delusional.”
“I love you too, Jude. And I’m glad I’m not the only one,” he replies and then adds, “I’ll talk to you later. Your sisters are taking your mom and me for a lobster dinner. They’re even paying.”
“Have fun, and don’t eat them into bankruptcy, or else I’ll have to support them.” I laugh and say good-bye.
Almost two hours later I pick up Zoey. She looks amazing in a short green dress, and she’s wearing her hair in a low sideswept ponytail. I can’t wait to mess it up later. But right now we have things to do that require clothes, unfortunately. I reach across the middle console and take her hand in mine. She smiles. “Where’s dinner?”
“At an Italian place near Washington Square, but I need to run an errand first, and I wanted you to come along,” I explain and turn onto the freeway.
Fifteen minutes later when I pull into the parking lot of the children’s hospital, she looks suddenly anxious. “Jude, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“I know,” I return, and hop out of the car. I make it to her door before she can open it and help her out, keeping our hands joined as I walk into the hospital and up to the floor Kina said Christopher is on now that he’s out of isolation.
We turn the corner off the elevator. Kina bounces up from her seat at the nurses’ station as soon as she sees us, but her smile falters when her eyes land on Zoey. Still, she rushes around the desk. “I told his mom you were coming. She’s expecting you. We both agree you are the sweetest guy ever for doing this.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I reply and add, “Kina, this is my girlfriend, Zoey. Zoey, Kina.”
“Nice to meet you.” Zoey smiles at her.
Kina nods and turns back to me. “He’s in room 442 until tomorrow, when he’s discharged.”
“Thanks.” I pause and pull two envelopes out of my jacket pocket, handing one to her. “For your help.”
She rips it open and then throws herself at me in a hug. I don’t expect it, and I have to drop Zoey’s hand to untangle myself. “Thank you! I’ve never been to a home opener. I’ll get to see you raise the Stanley Cup banner. That’s the coolest thing ever. Thank you!”
“Sure thing. Have fun,” I reply casually and wrap an arm around Zoey’s waist as I lead her down the hall toward Christopher’s room.
When we’re out of Kina’s sight, Zoey whispers, “You don’t have to keep your arm around me. She got the point.”
I blink. “I actually didn’t do it to prove anything. I just like touching you.”
She smiles at that, and I lean over and kiss her cheek.
Christopher is ecstatic to see me and over the moon about the tickets and the VIP passes. His mother is almost in tears when she thanks me. I tell her how happy I am Christopher is recovering and that I can’t wait to see them tomorrow night. As we walk back to the car, Zoey stops me in the middle of the parking lot and lays one hell of a kiss on me. It’s amazing, but even more fulfilling is the look of happiness and pride on her face. I know I’m a good guy, and I never really cared what other people thought. But I care what she thinks.
She kisses me again once we’re back in the car, and I warn her that if she doesn’t stop we’re skipping dinner and heading straight back to her place, so she pulls back. “I’m starving.”
The restaurant for the team dinner is a small mom-and-pop place. The team has booked the whole place, so it’s private. There are two long tables, and we sit at one with Levi and Tessa across from us and Carla and Duncan next to us. Eddie, thankfully, sits at the other table. The conversation is light and fun. No residual drama. The food is fantastic, and I think Zoey has a legitimately good time. I know I do.
Our coach gives a speech, followed by Mr. Carling, who’s Dixie’s boss and the head of team relations. Then they pass out our Stanley Cup rings. Out of the corner of my eye, I can’t help but notice Eddie with his phone up. He’s either filming video or taking pictures. Probably Snapchatting the hell out of it. Zoey leans closer, the tip of her nose nudging my cheek gently. “You’re scowling.”
“Sorry.” I smile at her and wrap an arm around the back of her seat. “Rollins and his fucking social media crap again.”
The coach calls my name, and I stand up and accept my ring. I sit back down and open the ring box. It’s huge and full of diamonds. Zoey looks stunned. “Holy shit, that’s worth more than my house. It’s beautiful.”
I smile and leave a lingering kiss on her cheek. “Not as beautiful as you.”
When the night is over, I can’t wait to get out of there. I can think of nothing but being alone with her. She excuses herself to use the restroom with Tessa and Carla, and I make my way to the front of the restaurant with the boys.
Levi smiles at me as I approach. “Things seem good.”
“Things are great,” I admit with a smile. “Oh, and I’m moving. Sold the condo.”
Eddie overhears and drops his phone and turns to me. “Your place was epic. Why sell?”
“Because I’ve outgrown the place,” I reply.
“Please. It’s the perfect place to bring chicks,” Eddie argues, and Levi shakes his head.
