“Ah, no,” I said, making her face fall. “But let’s just say we’ll probably be getting that divorce a lot quicker now.”
Her shoulders fell with relief. “Thank you.” She tried to hug me over the console, but her stomach stopped her.
“Careful, babe,” I said, laughing.
“I can’t believe it’s all over.” Her hands went to her forehead. “It is, right?”
“It is.” I confirmed.
Her body relaxed. “Wait, where’s Lexi and Baker?”
The two of them walked out of the station just as she asked.
Ali busied her bottom lip. “I’m gonna go talk to her, is that all right?”
“Want me to come?” I asked.
She hesitated for a second, making it seem like maybe I should give her some space. “Up to you,” she finally said. “You can stay here and rest. Put your sling back on,” she ordered.
I chuckled to myself. “Will do, babe. But the sidewalk is a little slick. Careful, all right?”
She gave me a small grin before she popped the truck door open and climbed out. She moved slowly, holding her stomach as she carefully walked across the icy sidewalk.
I watched the two women talk. Both Ali and Lexi wiped their eyes at one point. Baker asked his mom something, and then he came running over to my truck.
After securing my sling, I carefully climbed out. “Hey, kid. How ya doing?”
Baker pressed his lips together in a firm line. “I’m sorry about…” he started, then shook his head. His cheeks were turning more red by the second. “I just wanted to say…” His shoulders heaved with a breath. “I knew about Mark’s truck, but I didn’t know what to do.” He looked like he was about to break down but he was trying his hardest not to. “I really hope you don’t hate me because—”
“Woah, nope. Not at all, kid. I’m grateful to you. You were really brave back there for sticking up for me and telling the truth.”
He broke down a little. He looked away from me to wipe his face, and it just about killed me. I wanted to hug the kid, but I knew he was trying hard to keep it together.
“You’re a great hockey player,” I continued. “I’m serious. I hope this doesn’t distract you or slow you down. Don’t let Rossi take anything from you, especially not your happiness. And if hockey’s what makes you happy, work at it as hard as you can, yeah?”
He nodded hurriedly.
“And I was serious about playing at Centre Ice this summer,” I added.
His face creased. “Centre Ice?”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s what the Richard Charles Kappers Arena used to be called. How would you feel if your best buddy named your favorite rink after himself?”
A laugh popped out of him. “Rinks aren’t allowed to change names.”
“Exactly,” I exclaimed. “Thank you. Anyway, maybe you and your buddies can crash one of our skates this summer, yeah?”
His jaw went slack. “Wait, really?”
“Really,” I said with a grin. Lexi and Ali were walking toward us. “Take care of your mom, yeah?”
He nodded hurriedly. “Thanks, McQuaid. And, uh, good luck, with hockey and stuff.”
I grinned. “You too, kid.”
I could hear Ali talking as they approached. “And just remembered, you always have a home with us in Chicago, okay? Call us if you need anything.”
After saying our goodbyes, we sat in my truck for a second, letting the day wash over us. I kept replaying her words to Lexi, and my eyes started burning.
