“It’s not, I promise.”
“I’ll be patient, Erin. I’ll never take anything from you that you aren’t ready to give. You have my word, sweetheart.”
Her head falls against my torso, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight to me.
“You’re everything that is pure in this world, Chase Harper.” She sighs, nestling into me like I’m the cozy blanket she needs on a cold winter night.
And I’m all yours, Bookworm.
With the girl of my dreams tucked in my arms, I can’t wait to keep moving forward.
Together.
With eight seasonsunder my belt at the ripe age of twenty-five, I’m considered a veteran. So, Coach Avery and Briar made the decision for me to sit out during the preseason.
It isn’t uncommon for a veteran player who’s been previously injured. Besides, the preseason is really for the rookies to show off and shine, which is precisely what Logan has been doing.
And he’s killing it.
As I lace up my skates for tonight’s first game in the regular season, I’m ready, prepared, and focused.
It wasn’t that long ago that I was telling Damon I didn’t think I’d ever play hockey again, but here I am, about to play my first professional game since the accident—without Jack.
His absence is a reality I won’t ever get used to. But every time my skates hit the ice, every time my stick meets the puck, I remind myself I’m playing for both of us. And somehow, I know he’s out there with me.
It’s enough.
My skates move against the rubber flooring as we make our way onto the ice, the crowd roaring, cheering, and chanting getting louder the closer I get.
I’m out of the tunnel before long, taking it in for the first time in months.
The crowd is a sea of blue. Signs and flashlights from phones sway wildly up and down Great Lakes Stadium. Hands smashagainst the plexiglass, showing appreciation for their home team.
Hayes steps out first, his blades carving through the glistening ice as he circles it. He taps his stick in the center right where Jack’s emblem is.
We fall in line, following our captain. Oliver first, then Rudy, Austin, me, and the rest of our team. We all tap our sticks in salute to Jack as we take our opening lap.
I stop in front of the boards, eyes scanning the crowd
I spot her easily.
Her dimple is on full display, and she’s wearing a Tornadoes hoodie over black jeans, her green beanie settled on her head to finish off her look.
She didn’t want to sit in the suites with some of the other wives and girlfriends. She wanted to be close to the ice where she could see everything.
And I love seeing her right back.
She gives me a little wave. I wink at her and dip my chin, turning when the refs move toward the center with the puck.
Everyone takes their position.
The puck drops.
And the stadium explodes.
The first two periods go by in a blur. By the third, it feels as if the only time I’ve taken off is when the season ended. We move together as a team, sinking goal after goal.
I send the puck to Rudy, who follows it like it’s his prey. He has the perfect amount of speed and awareness. He pulls back his stick as soon as he gets into position and slams the puck into the back of the net with a swish.
