“They don’t even want to see me?”
“No, should they?” he asked, concerned.
“I assumed with my injury?—”
“You really didn’t see the highlights did you?” he chuckled. “Someone filmed you with the team, Webber, you looked good.”
“They filmed me? Like practicing?” I don’t know why that didn’t sit well with me, but I hated it.
“Yeah, they liked what they saw, you looked good man,” he said.” I was worried about you, but you look good.”
I felt good. I didn’t know if it was workingat the ranch or being at the rink, but I almost felt better than I had before. I had scrimmaged with the guys a few times and I felt good, better than good. I had been itching to get out on a team, even if that reality had been slowly disappearing, but shit, it was a real possibility, now.
“You ready to head back? I’m cold as hell.” Forest’s deep voice was like cold water on my system.
I nodded my head, pointing to my phone. He pointed to the barn and I nodded.
“Uh… ok, so, this is a sure thing?” I wondered what my life would look like with Forest and Jude.
Would we even survive me living far away?
“Seems like it, kid,” he said. “If you're peeved about the money, I can see if I can get you more.”
I was peeved about the money, but now that I had what I wanted right in front of me, I didn’t know if I wanted it.
“Do I have to give an answer now?”
“I would say you have a few days if I make it about the money,” he said. “What changed? I thought you would have jumped on this opportunity.”
“A lot has changed,” I said. “I missed hockey so much in the beginning, but now that I’ve had time to think, well, shit’s changed. Give me a few days if you can and you’ll have my answer. Thanks, Myles.”
I hung up before he could say anything else. Myles would try and convince me to take it, and I didn’t need to have my agent up my ass. Looking around for Forest, I took a deep breath before I went to him. If I was making this decision, I needed them.
“Honey, I’m home!” I yelled, coming into Jude’s house like it was my own, with Forest right on my tail.
The snow was falling harder, and I was glad Jude wasn’t out there having to work in it, and we were all finally home.
“In bed!” Jude yelled.
“Yes, but I need a shower first,” Forest said, taking off his boots and jacket.
“You hungry?” I asked.
“A little, but I can wait,” he said, walking down the hall as he took off piecesof clothing that made my mind wander, completely forgetting about food.
I followed Forest like the whipped boy I was, stripping so I could shower with him too. Even though I was bundled up, moving around made me sweat. And no matter what, I always smelled like the ranch, even if I was only there for a few hours, never even coming close to the cattle.
“Hey, Princess,” Forest said, going to give Jude a kiss on his forehead.
He was lying down, scrolling on his phone.
“Hey, I didn’t know you’d come back so early,” he said, sitting up a little more.
“Theo didn’t want us out in the snow, it’s supposed to get worse,” I said, foregoing his forehead and capturing his lips in a deep kiss.
Jude groaned, wrapping his hand behind my neck, pulling me forward.
“Baby, I’m dirty,” I said, against his lips.
