I cleared my throat and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I met someone.”
It was the simplest explanation, and the truth. I met someone, she saved my life, I got to know her, and everything changed. A flashy life somewhere else didn’t sound as appealing as coming home from every road trip to find her in my space. In her space. Maybe in a new space together someday.
“Well, love’s not something to ignore,” Annie said. “I know if Nick got traded, I’d be packing up right along with him.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. I don’t know if she could. Her son is here.”
Annie hummed. “Kids are complicated.”
I didn’t feel like explaining that Emma’s kid was an adult and it was a little more complicated than being in the right school district. “They are.”
“Give it some thought, and call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Fuck!”I jumped back, narrowly missing covering my hand in piping-hot sauteed vegetables. Instead, they, and the pan that carried them, clattered to the floor.
Emma startled, bent to turn off the burner, then let out a quick breath. “Are you hurt?”
“No, my head’s just not here.”
And it wasn’t. Everything was a haze of round one of the playoffs, and continual thoughts about Annie’s phone call. Round one was pretty much in the bag, but losing focus and assuming victory could lead to our downfall. Plus, we had to think ahead to which team we’d potentially face in round two, preparing for either roster’s tricks and schemes.
Annie’s call loomed larger. I hadn’t told Emma about the call, feeling like it would put unfair stress on her while Liam was finishing school. The focus should be on him. And for me, the focus had to be hockey.
But my entire professional life could be in for a major change if I couldn’t get Ohio to make me an offer at the end of the season. I had every intention to tell Emma, but I wanted to wait until after Liam graduated.
She nodded, looking me over. “You’ve been distracted. You have a lot on your plate, though.”
I laughed sardonically. Did she know about the potential trade? Why would she think I had a lot on my plate? “This was supposed to take my mind off things.”
I headed for my broom closet, and when I returned, Emma was going through my fridge. “What are you looking for?”
“Chicken, chicken broth, and we’ve already got celery and carrots.” She gestured to the counter.
I tipped my head while I grazed my hand over her lower back in passing. “For what?”
She straightened and turned her face to mine. “Chicken and rice soup.”
I pouted. “We can’t finish what we were making?”
Emma pointed to the vegetables covering the floor. “How clean are your floors?”
“Fair.”
I stooped to clean up the mess, and by the time I stood, Emma had the counter cleared of our last dinner and had my soup pot on the stove. I hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Sorry I’m falling apart.”
She patted my cheek over her shoulder. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself. We need those hands.”
“Oh,wedo?” I worked my hands up her shirt and squeezed her boobs. Emma sank back into me. “Youdon’t need them?”
“I am included in we,” she hummed. “I’m not sure the Rusties need you to honk their boobs, but what do I know? Could be a locker room ritual I’ve missed.”
My voice came out more defensive than I meant it to. “Your boobs are the only ones I’m honking.”
Emma faced me and looped her arms behind my neck, her deep brown eyes moving over my face. “I know. I wasn’taccusing you of anything. I don’t think you’re cheating on me with the guys.”
I chewed my lip and nodded. My stomach tightened at how thoughtful she was. The way Emma saw me and didn’t let me marinate in stupid misunderstandings was unlike anything I’d ever known. “Thanks. Didn’t even realize that was something I was thinking.”
Emma gripped my chin and raised on her toes to kiss me. “Why don’t you sit and tell me what to do? I want the soup to taste like yours. Get a drink. Make me some origami.”
