“Yes,” I reply softly. All eyes turn to me. “I only found out a few days ago. I know she’s been worried and scared. She wanted to tell everyone herself, but she was waiting for the right moment. Zane doesn’t know yet… and I’m not sure this is the right time. I’m sure they’ll figure it out soon.”
“We understand. Our lips are sealed,” Tess says with a reassuring smile as we settle back into our seats to wait for Zane and Coach to return.
Chapter 26
Lisa
“Hey,” Blake says, his voice hoarse. He looks pale, like he hasn’t slept in days. His smile is familiar, but everything else feels distant and foreign. He looks nothing like the happy, easygoing guy I know. An IV line runs into his left arm, and tape and gauze wrap around his right shoulder.
“Are you ok?” I ask, my voice shaky. It hurts to see him like this. I’ve always known ice hockey is a rough sport. I grew up around it, but this… this is different. Worse than anything I’ve ever seen.
“I am now,” he replies, holding out his hand, waiting for me to take it.
I step closer and gently place my hand in his. His skin feels warm and soft, but somehow different.
“The doctor said the surgery went alright,” I tell him, trying to reassure him. It’s not entirely a lie… just a white one, I convince myself.
“How about Nashville?” Blake asks, and I pause, confused.
Is that the anesthesia talking?
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Blake chuckles, then immediately winces. I see the pain flash across his face.
“Slow down,” I murmur, softly brushing my thumb over his hand.
“We should take a trip to Nashville. You like Ella Langley, right? I heard she performs there often,” he explains.
A small smile forms on my lips.
“You are something,” I say. “And weren’t you Ella’s biggest fan?”
“I’m not,” he says, chuckling under his breath.
“You’re not?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“I only listened to her because you like her,” he admits quietly, leaning his head back and closing his eyes for a brief moment.
“You’ve been listening to her for weeks,” I tease.
Blake grins with quiet pride.
“My brain still feels a little foggy after everything… but we won, right? We beat those buttheads?”
I nod, smiling. “We sure did.”
I give his hand a gentle squeeze. “You won the championship.”
“I wish I could remember the look on Perth’s face,” he laughs softly.
“You did great. I’m sure it’s on camera somewhere,” I reply with a smile. Then my voice softens. “I just hope we can leave all of this behind us now. I want to focus on our future… not our past.”
“Our future?” Blake repeats, sitting up slightly in bed. I can tell the movement hurts, and my stomach tightens.
“Well… yeah,” I say, my voice trembling slightly. “You know I’ve been falling for you, Blake. I tried to fight it, but I can’t anymore.”
“You’re just saying that because you feel bad for me,” he says with a playful wink.
