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And right after I got Noel’s text, my contractor called and said the secret project is done—my name for the project, not his. The secret project is the key to showing Noel how serious I am. How much she means to me, and how I want her in my life forever. No one else.
Just thinking about being back home in two days makes me even faster on the ice than usual. Like if I skate fast enough, I can get to Noel quicker. I’ve already scored one rebound during this game and had a breakaway. One more goal and it’s a hat trick.
We’re in the defensive zone, with ten minutes left in the third. Mitch has the puck and passes it to West. West slides it left and then right, but he’s surrounded on both sides. He finds me on the other side of the net and smacks the puck in my direction. I skate forward to snatch it, but my skate catches on something, and I fly forward. My chin smacking against the ice, hard. It stings, but I’m fine. Anaheim’s defenseman, however, is sent to the sin bin for tripping. Now we have a power play, giving us a one-man advantage. Exactly what I need for my hat trick.
Remy wins the faceoff, sending the puck to me. I can’t get a good shot from where I’m at, so I pass it back to Remy. He shoots it but it hits the bar and ricochets off. West snags the puck and hits it against the boards. The puck slides back around behind the net, where I catch it with my stick and sink it into the net before Anaheim’s goalie even knows what’s happening.
The buzzer sounds and I take my victory lap, high-fiving and celebrating with my teammates.
Remy slaps my helmet. “First hat trick of the season! Well done.”
“Thanks, captain.” I give him a salute, then I find a camera, staring right at it, and blow a kiss. I’m hoping Noel is watching, and she knows that’s for her.
We win the game 4-2. Coach Young tells me to stay on the bench for a post-game interview from the Eagles’ sports reporter, Bobbie. They keep different players after each game, and sometimes in between periods.
Once my teammates file out, Bobbie joins me on the bench with his camera crew. He’s perfectly coiffed in a light-grey suit and red tie, his brown hair neatly combed to the side, and his dark-rimmed glasses giving him a distinguished look. Jim, our equipment manager, throws me a towel before following the rest of the team back to the locker room. I do a quick wipe down of my sweaty face and hair before Bobbie’s crew starts recording.
“Knight, you were on fire during this game. You’re always fast, but something was different tonight. Care to tell us what that was? A new training technique?” Bobbie asks, holding the mic closer to my face.
I grin at the camera. “I can tell you exactly what it was, Bobbie. I got a message from my girl today telling me she misses me. So, this hat trick was for her.” I stare right into the camera and say, “I miss you too, angel.”
Bobbie chuckles. “There you have it Eagles nation. Love is, apparently, the only motivation Colby Knight needs.”
CHAPTER 41
NOEL
Colby flew in last night—more like this morning, I guess—around three a.m. I received a delivery from him every single day he was gone. Day one was a latte every hour during my eight-hour work day. Day two was the bouquet. Day three was food from Pancake Palace. Day four was a gift card to a local bookstore. And day five was a set of silk, button-down pajamas like the ones I wore when he stayed the night, except these have the D.C. Eagles logo all over them.
Then yesterday I received a hand-written letter from him. I read it for the hundredth time while I sip on my Saturday morning cup of coffee.
Angel,
I know you need some time to think. And I understand that. I’m sorry you were hurt so badly by someone that it made it difficult for you to believe a man when he says he doesn’t want anyone but you. I’ll spend the rest of my life making you believe it if I have to. But you’re the only woman who’s ever made my heart skip a beat or made me think about cleaning up my act. The only woman who’s gotten me to read a book, and the only woman I’ve ever dressed up as Gandalf for. You’re the only woman for me, Noel.
Whenever you’re ready, come talk to me.
Love,
Colby
Ugh. Between this letter and his comment on camera after his hat trick the other night, I’m overwhelmed by this man. He’s too good. Too wonderful. Too patient. I don’t deserve him, don’t deserve his empathy. I’ve all but hurled my past relationship troubles onto his shoulders. And he’s carrying it with those big, strong muscles of his until I’m ready to let go of it.
I finish my coffee and pace around the kitchen, trying to wait for an appropriate time to go over to Colby’s house and tell him what I’m thinking. Glancing at the clock on my stove, I decide eight a.m. is good enough, grab my jacket and leave my apartment.
* * *
I pull into Colby’s massive driveway and suddenly, I’m terrified. What if he changed his mind? What if my past hurts are too much for him, too much of a pain to work through with me? What if he’s grouchy I woke him up? My fingers are trembling on the steering wheel.
I force myself out of the vehicle and stand there in the driveway, staring at his front door. A chilly, fall breeze whistles past me and I shiver, regretting my outfit choice of black leggings and a slouchy sweater that does nothing to block the wind.
With a deep breath, I walk to his door and ring the doorbell. My heart is in my throat, I can’t breathe as I wait for him to answer. I wait and wait but he doesn’t come.
“He must be a deep sleeper,” I whisper to myself before ringing it again.
Nothing.
This is when I start to panic. My heart rate, my nerves, my breathing… they’re all too fast, too erratic. I’ve never felt this out-of-control, even when Travis cheated on me. I was hurt, but I never had the thought that I couldn’t go on without him. And not once did I desire to fight with him.
