Zach’s lips spread into a massive smile across his face. “You don’t even have to ask.” He chewed on his bottom lip and opened his mouth just as the waiter showed up. We placed our orders and then when he was gone, I straightened my shoulders.
“I have an eating disorder.” The words slipped from my tongue before I could stop them. “I mean, I’m seeing a therapist about it. And she’s great. But things are still weird with me, you know? Like, ordering food to eat out in public. With you two watching me.”
Zach reached across the table to grab my hand. “It’s not like I didn’t notice. I knew a while ago that you were struggling. I didn’t say anything because I knew you would tell me when you were ready. Babe, I’m so proud of you.”
“You shouldn’t be. Not for this.”
“Reed, you’ve already started the healing process.”
My throat grew tight. “I mean, it’s going to be a long time before I’m normal.” I shook my head. “I just...I wanted to tell you.”
“Move.” Tate pushed at Zach’s arm. “Please, I just...I need to get out of this booth,” he whispered. And then he was slipping into the spot next to me, his arms going around me in a tight hug. “You are normal. You’re so normal, and you’re getting the help that you need. Telling us was a big deal. I bet you feel so much better now, too.”
I sniffed as tears stung my eyes. “Now that you mention it, I think so, yes.” I smiled at Zach as he watched us. “And my therapist is amazing. Cole is supportive, along with my family, and I think I feel much better now than I did at school.”
“You’re not coming back to New York, are you?” my best friend asked. When I didn’t answer, he sighed. “That sucks.”
Tate released me to go back to his boyfriend. “That just means you have another excuse to come back here. Not just for Oscar and me, but for Reed, too. When you graduate, you can move here permanently.”
“I know.” Zach’s voice was thick with sadness. His blue eyes glittered with tears before he blinked them away. “Not that I’ll need an excuse to come see you, darling.”
Tate giggled happily when Zach pretended to eat his neck. I had no idea how he was going to work out these issues he had with his family, but that wasn’t my problem to worry about. Not when two giant hockey players stepped through the front door of the diner, and Cole’s face lit up like sunshine when he spotted me. Then he was kissing me and holding me against his thick body.
“How did you know we were here?” I asked. When I looked over at Tate, he ducked his head. Guess that was my answer. “Not that I’m complaining.”
Oscar had his arm stretched across the back of the booth so he could touch both of his guys. “We missed you.”
The waiter came back with our food and nearly dropped the three plates when he saw Oscar and Cole. “Oh.” He gave a nervous smile as he placed the food down. “Did you gentleman need to order?”
Cole and Oscar ordered, and when the waiter was gone, I nudged my boyfriend. “He was totally freaked out. Ten bucks says he asks for your autograph.”
“Twenty says it’s a selfie,” Zach piped in. “What? Did you see the way his eyes were undressing you? He’s into you, Oscar.”
Oscar blushed. “He’s...not.”
But sure enough, after the five of us ate our food, while laughing and having a good time, the waiter came back. He not only asked for an autograph but a selfie, too. His eyes literally lit up with huge hearts when Oscar put his arm around him.
In the car ride home with Cole, the other three having gone their own way, I reached over and linked our fingers together. It would be a touchy road to get over this eating disorder, but I had a great support system. My family, my best friend, and my boyfriend. I felt like I could take on the world.
Chapter Forty-Two
Cole
We lost the next game. And the one after that. I tried not to let my disappointment show, but it was difficult. All I had ever wanted my entire life was to win the Stanley Cup. To raise it over my head as the fans screamed in excitement. I wanted to make my father proud, because it was all because of him. And Dean, too. They had been so supportive of me throughout my journey. They were the ones who’d pushed me to be the best version of myself. Comforted me when I didn’t get drafted to Boston, assured me my chance with the Panthers was going to be exactly what I wanted, and were shocked when I gave them my first NHL puck. The one I earned from my first goal. They had it displayed with their trophies and awards. It sat right next to my father’s first puck and Dean’s first Grammy.
Reed was waiting for me in the stands when I walked out of the locker room. I saw him through the Plexi-glass, his hands pressed against his sternum. He wore my jersey again, this one fitted better to his smaller frame, and a smile on his beautiful face. The moment I was close enough, Reed wrapped his arms around my waist and dropped a kiss against my mouth.
“Are you holding up okay, Casanova? I can see the disappointment written all over your face.” He didn’t try to sugarcoat anything, and I loved him even more.
I squeezed him closer. “I’m better now that I’m with you.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Reed whispered. I felt his breath against my neck before he stepped back. “No matter what, you’re doing everything you always wanted to do.”
I forced a tight smile. “Thank you, baby.” I tucked a piece of hair behind his ear.
“Do you want to talk about it? I won’t say anything if you want to get stuff off your chest. Just go for it. I’ll nod my head in approval,” he teased.
I snorted. “I’m good, really. Jackson gave us this huge speech after the game, and even though I’m disappointed, I know we’re going to win the next three games.” I didn’t, but I wasn’t about to burden my boyfriend with that.