And that all but burst my heart open.
I leaned in to kiss her. “Anything for my girl.”
Epilogue - Ellie
I felt like I was in a Hallmark movie as I strolled through the downtown Northfield streets while holding hands with TJ and walking our little golden retriever puppy named Smudgee. I caught our reflection in one of the shop windows and smiled to myself at TJ’s big, protective figure holding hands with me.
Nikki told us we were nauseating to be around now, but I couldn’t help it. I could confidently say that I loved TJ- to myself atleast.
TJ jumped the gun with the L word at the banquet, and then again through a written card that was attached to Smudgee (well, at that time TJ was calling him Sparticus or something ridiculous like that, but the pup and I agreed that Smudgee was much more fitting). And while I knew I loved TJ as far back as the preseason, I wasn’t brave enough to say it aloud to him, and I think he knew to be patient with me, so he kindly never addressed it.
Around March, I found myself almost bursting with wanting to say it to him, but I felt awkward bringing it up after months of him putting himself out there for me. The end of every phone call had become awkward, like both of us were acknowledging the space where the “I Love You’s” should have been with a stilted silence, but then quickly saying bye and hanging up.
I planned out the timing of dropping the L word then. I figured I’d waited long enough that I could wait a few more weeks for the perfect moment: After TJ and his team won their Conference Championshipgame.
But… They lost in a closely fought battle against St. Louis, which ended their playoff berth, signaled the kick-off to TJ’s postseason, and the start to us moving back up north for the summer.
I was kind of bummed at the loss because I was getting really into the games, especially because I felt I had a hand in their success as an official power skating coach here in Detroit for the Crewmen.
I also had officially become part of the wives and girlfriends club. There wasn’t a home game that went by where I wasn’t cheering and holding Indie or Johnny on my lap. I loved the little Griffith’s family like my own, and they’d really brought TJ and I under their wings in Detroit. Every Wednesday, we had a standing dinner invite to their house, and I had even picked up a bit of wedding off-season work with Sav and Griff’s charity.
While I was sad for the season’s routine to come to an end, I knew my busy time with weddings was about to pick back up. And it didn’t hurt that I was already in a group chat with the “Crew Ladies’’ that had been blowing up the past week over plans to make jean jackets with our guys’ last names on them for next season. I also already had scheduled lunch dates with a couple of the girls, including Adrienne, in August for when preseason camp started up again in Traverse City.
I felt lucky to have so much confidence that I would be a part of next season. Because after making it through preseason together, TJ had become my rock, and thanks to him, I’d never felt more secure in my life.
But now we were back in Northfield, Minnesota, TJ’s hometown, to prepare for Jules’ babycelebration.
TJ and I had flown in a week early so I could make sure all the vendors were ready and raring to go. TJ showing me around town in the down time also wasn’t so bad; it gave me an extra little glimpse into the man I loved- especially when we stopped by his parents’ house and I officially met his gorgeous, and very intimidating, sisters.
But today, there was business to be attended to, well… kinda.
We were walking through downtown to meet up with Greyson because he wanted to show us a surprise he had in store for Jules.
We spied him outside of a low-lit, cozy-looking Starbucks, and he immediately walked up to us and stretched to give us both a big hug.
“Long time, no see! Way to blow it in the ploffs, lil bro,” Grey said jokingly to TJ. The hockey boys always seemed to shorten “playoffs” to “ploffs.” They had their own lingo and accent that was unique to them and I was slowly picking it up. Their accent wasn’t all the way Canadian, but about halfway there. Even TJ who’d grown up in Minnesota sounded Canadian sometimes.
“Yeah, well, we’ll be out for vengeance come September,” TJ said with a shake of his head. “How’d your team do, Coach?”
A cocky smile slid onto Grey’s face. “Won states. Canyon sniped a buzzer-beater for the win.”
TJ let out a low whistle, “Nice, man. I miss the League and all the lil guys.”
“Stop by practice this week,” he offered. “I’m sure they’d love to mess around on the ice with you a bit. Probably make fun of you for missing that shot in the first period against St. Louis,” Grey teased. “Let’s get movin’ though. I’ve gotta get home. Missin’ my pack.”
I held TJ’s hand and we quickened our pace to keep up with him, until he abruptly stopped and pulled a door open.
I looked up at the name of the shop and was a bit surprised to see Mike’s Tattoos written across the top.
I turned to Grey, who had a big smile on hisface.
“Have to add my baby girl’s name,” he said with the quiet confidence he always exuded. Just those words could make any girl’s baby box scream.
Grey’s long strides carried him into the shop where he slapped five and bro-hugged the bearded guy waiting for him, who I assumed was Mike, and then immediately ripped off his shirt… and damn. Totally in love with TJ, but that man was built. Dad bod did not exist in his vocabulary apparently.
“Um… we have our dog,” I said cautiously from thedoorway.
“No problem, Sweetheart,” the guy who I guessed was Mike said. “Love puppers. Bring him in.”
