The tension in my body began to fade. “I love you. Do you know that?”
“I do.” The lilt of his voice told me he was smiling. “And I love you. I’m only a phone call away if you need me. Go win some games, Cap.”
I breathed out a laugh. “We’ll try. I’ll call you tonight, love.”
“I’ll be counting the minutes.”
As would I.
Day ten of our road trip did not go as planned. We were all ready to get home after winning three out of five games, but the high winds and heavy snowfall kept us in Chicago another night. The team had convened in the hotel bar following our game. I’d passed on the darts tournament Decker organized, choosing to sit at the bar and text Luca.
Me: I wish I were home with you.
Luca: You act as if you miss me.
Me: You have no idea. I fucking hate snow.
Luca: Me too.
As I gazed down at the photo of him with Caden and John at the Silver Stream, Heath slid onto the stool beside me.
“Not feeling the darts?” he asked.
“No. I’d rather sit here and bemoan not being home with Luca. Plus, I had some documents to read and get signed before tomorrow morning. Had we gotten home, I could have done it then.”
Heath ordered a beer. “How are you going to run a hotel and play hockey?”
“The Covington has a strong management team in place. They only need me for the big things, most of which won’t take place for a while.”
His eyes fell to the bar top. I could tell something was on his mind. He took another swig of his beer before turning to me. “I miss you. Missed spending time with you.”
The softness in his tone, along with the familiar way he used to look at me, caused a trickle of unease.
“Do you ever think about us, Axel?”
This was not good. I glanced at the man who had once held my heart. Heath was still a beautiful man, but he didn’t make my heart beat the way Luca did. “What do you mean?”
His blue eyes raked over my face before landing on my mouth. “I still love you. Never stopped.”
“Heath,” I said softly, shaking my head. “Don’t.”
“Just hear me out. Our chemistry has not died. We were good together, on and off the ice. All I want to know is if we have a chance. If not now, in the future.”
I had to stop him now. “No. I’m in love with Luca. He’s everything to me.”
The sparkle in his blue eyes began to fade, like a candle running out of its wick. His mouth tried to form a smile as he looked down at the bar. “I knew I waited too long. Should have made contact a long time ago.”
“Why are you telling me this now? Why not years ago?”
“Logistics. We’ve been separated by an ocean. Being together for three months out of twelve was no life. I didn’t see a way to make it work. Until now.”
I was so confused. “Are you out now?”
“No. But I would be for you. It’s been over a decade, and I still can’t stop thinking about you. I regret leaving.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you saying these feelings for me are the real reason you’re here?”
“Yes.” He shifted his eyes to the floor. “I’ve had it in my head we were meant to be. The stars had aligned. You were finallycoming here, my contract was up with LA, and we were both single.” He took a long pull from his beer as I sat reeling from the conversation.
