Before Luca, I would have jumped at the chance to be with him again. But things had changed, and Luca had my heart. Probably from the night we met. “I’m sorry, Heath. I don’t want to hurt you.”
His shoulders sagged. “It’s not your fault, Axel. It’s mine. There’s no one to blame but myself. It was crazy to think we could pick back up where we left off, but I had to shoot my shot.”
There weren’t many times in my life that I was rendered speechless, but this was one of them. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I had planned to tell you how I felt the day I came to your house. I’d just gotten off the plane and asked Decker for your address. But he was there.”
I didn’t know how to say this without it sounding callous. “It wouldn’t have mattered. He has owned me since the moment we met.” I owed it to Luca to set the record. “If I have my way about it, Luca will be with me the rest of our lives.”
His eyes softened. “You’ve changed. I see it when we play. The burning anger that used to fuel you is gone. He’s good for you.”
My cheeks lifted. “He is. Luca makes me see the world differently. He gives me a purpose beyond hockey.”
Heath stared down at the bar. “If this harms the team, I’ll ask for a trade.”
I nodded. “We were friends first. We can make it work.”
He finished his beer and left money on the bar. “I should go.”
I looked down at the bar, not sure what to say.
“Thanks for hearing me out. Call your boyfriend, Axel. Happiness looks good on you.”
I was starting to believe that. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I finished my beer and called Luca. I needed to hear his voice. When he answered, I knew I’d made the right choice. “Hello, love. What are you doing?”
“Talking to Caden and playing matchmaker. But it failed.” I smiled as he told me what happened. Just listening to him talk eased my soul. I would tell him about the conversation with Heath when I got home.
I thought I had it all figured out until the news article with photos of us in the bar came out on a hockey blog that threatened to destroy my world.
Chapter 37
Luca
I smiled down at my phone as I sat at my desk texting with my boyfriend. After dinner last night, I made a life-changing decision, and I couldn’t wait to see his face when I told him.
Axel: God, I can’t wait to see you.
Me: Me too. I have news.
Axel: Yeah? What?
Me: Nope. I’ll tell you when I see you.
Axel: Tease. Unfortunately, we have a schedule change.
Axel: Coach wants to practice now.
Axel: That means I’ll have the afternoon off to “nap”.
Axel: Take the afternoon off. Or leave early. I need you before the game.
Me: I’ll see what I can do.
Me: But I have an appointment I can’t miss.
Axel: Reschedule it.
