“Give me one second!” I open the car door, but as I do, I’m greeted with a familiar face.
“Hey, man,” Fletcher says, “I thought that was your truck.”
“Yeah, uh, hey.” I look at Avalon, and she slides down in the seats. “I assumed you’d be, um, out, you know, with the guys.”
“I was waiting for Tate,” he replies. “But she just texted that she headed out with Brinley and Alex.”
“Well, Ember and Declan looked like they were making up on the ice, so I’d assume they’re skipping the festivities.”
“Everyone else is meeting at that pub we went to for dinner last night,” he continues. “There’s a bar not too far from there that we’ll go to after we get some food. Maybe we can take your truck over.”
“No!” I argue. “Marcus drove down for the game in my car. But he met a guy during the game, and they’re hooking up nearby, so he’ll need the car.”
“Oh, shit, yeah,” he adds. “I didn’t see Marcus in the stands.”
“You know him… he likes to blend in,” I lie. “I think the walk willdo us good.”
“Yeah, because who doesn’t love to walk a mile and a half with hockey gear after a long game.”
“Exactly.” I place a hand on his shoulder, turning him around. I give Avalon an apologetic look as I shut the door, but she just laughs.
It's not exactly how I planned on tonight going, but I guess it’ll have to do.
forty-six
Zeke
Ican’t believe I missed it.” Avalon sighs. “Sounds like it was one hell of a game.”
“It would’ve been even better if my girlfriend was there,” I tease. “But she was too busy with classes to show up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m trying to get good grades to get into medical school.” She rolls her eyes. “If my sexy boyfriend doesn’t become rich in the NHL, I’ll have to find some way to support the both of us.”
“Oh yeah?” I bite my lip, looking her up and down. “You gonna be my sugar momma?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Does that mean I’m not just your boy toy?” I hook my index finger under her chin and lift her head to look at me.
“I assumed that was pretty clear the second I told you I loved you.” She grins. “But if you need more proof, how does meeting your friends sound?”
“Yeah?” I sit up. “You really want to?”
“I do. I don’t know why I’ve put it off for so long,” Avalon continues. “I’ve met Ember, and she’s great. Especially since she hasn’t pushed for us to go public. And from what she’s told me aboutthe girls, they seem great, and I’ve never really had female friends. So, yeah, I think I’d really like to meet them.”
“And I know they’ll be really happy to finally meet you,” I reply. “I think a few of them have suspected something’s up with me these past few months, but with my mom being in the hospital and now being home, I think they just assumed my good mood was from that.”
“Well, I can’t take all the credit for your good mood. Your mom being home is the real reason for your mood. When you called me after your win, you talked more about your mom being there to witness it than the win itself.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “She hasn’t seen me play in ages, so having her around for a game like that… no feeling will ever compare.”
“Not even your NHL debut?”
“Not if my mom’s not there for it.”
I wrap Avalon in my arms, pulling her closer to me, our bodies sinking together.
“She will be, though.” I smile. “For the first time in a long time, my hope doesn’t feel—”