Page 126 of Smitten Pucking Orc

“Is a really good job.” I set the instruction sheet down carefully. “But this protocol thing isn’t just treating one athlete at a time. It’s changing how thousands of players heal. That would have true impact.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “What does your gut say?”

“My gut says Denver is impressive. What if I stay here and in five years I wonder what would’ve happened if I’d gone?”

“Then you’ll wonder and that’ll suck.” His mouth quirked up on one side. “But what if you go to Denver and spend five years wondering what would’ve happened if you’d stayed? That’ll suck worse.”

My laugh came out wet. “This isn’t helpful.”

“I’m trying to tell you that whatever you choose, we’ll make this work. If you stay, we’ll also make it work. If you go, I’ll follow as much as I can. If you go and decide to stay there forever…” His voice broke. “I’ll know you made the right choice, and I’ll find a way to permanently move to Denver.”

This male had spent his whole life being told his value was measured in saves. He’d been terrified to want anything beyond hockey. And now he was standing here telling me he’d support whatever I chose, and he’d find a way to make our love work.

“The protocol isn’t just about the research. It’s building something. With Patty. With this team. With—” I stopped.

“With me?”

“Maybe. Yeah.”

“And Denver?”

“Would be starting over. A clean slate. No history. No us.”

The words sat between us.

“Then maybe that’s how you know it’s right.”

I thought about Crim asking me if I was running toward something or away from it. About Haley saying one makes you brave, the other makes you small.

About the yellow dress I’d stuffed in my closet because I didn’t want to remember what hope felt like when it got crushed. But hope wasn’t the dress. Hope was standing in a treatment room at seven in the morning, holding a coffee cup that proved someone had been paying attention. Hope was him writing in the margins that I wasn’t only a physical therapist who fixed things.

Hope required believing I was worth more than what I could do.

“I’m staying,” I said.

His shoulders dropped. He looked away fast, but not before I saw his eyes go bright. “Because of the protocol?”

“Because of me. Because this is what I want to build. My career. Research. My life.” I caught his hand. “You’re part of that. A big part. But you’re not the whole reason.”