“Yes,” I whisper. “Of course.”
“Thank you. I promise not to screw it up, at least not intentionally.”
We both laugh at that because, yeah, there will probably still be missteps, but at least now we know how to talk them out.
“Are you coming to Thanksgiving tomorrow?” he asks tentatively.
I nod. “I’ll be there.”
His face lights up, and even though I didn’t actually do anything, I swear it’s the proud dad look. “Good. I’m looking forward to our first holiday together.”
“Me too.” And it’s true. I’ll miss Mom and Nana, but I deserve to make memories with my father too.
We hug again, tighter this time, and something shifts between us. Our relationship isn’t perfect—we still have a long way to go—but it’s a start.
“I’d better get out to the ice before the guys run amok,” he says, pulling back reluctantly.
“Go.” I offer what I hope is a reassuring smile. “They need you.”
He heads for the door, then pauses and looks back. “I’m proud of you, Ava. For standing up for yourself with Banks. For negotiating with Towers. For setting boundaries with me. You’re a strong young woman.”
Fresh tears prick my eyes, and my throat grows tight, but I manage a quiet, “Thank you.”
He disappears into the hall, and I’m left standing alone in the locker room.
I look around, not quite seeing the messy stalls and discarded gear.
This night has been full of surprises.
I’m getting everything I want. My dream job. A relationship with my father.Knox.
And I did it by advocating for myself, by putting my needs first, and expressing my feelings, regardless of how messy and chaotic they are.
By finally breaking free from the good girl trap.
The door opens again, and I expect to see one of the assistant coaches or trainers.
Instead, Knox walks in, helmet tucked under his arm.
“You’re still here?” I blink at him in surprise. “Shouldn’t you be on the ice?”
“Yes, but I wanted to make sure you’re okay first.” He crosses the room in three long strides, drops his helmet on the bench, and cups my face in his gloved hands. “I love the game, darlin’,but I love you more. I know the difference between my career and my life. I will always choose you. I will always put you first.”
He truly means it. If I had any lingering doubts, they’ve been erased.
“I love you,” he says again, conviction in every syllable.
“I love you too.” I smile up at him, my heart so full it might burst. “And you know what? I think I just might believe in fate after all.”
He grins. “It only took five years, eight weeks, and low-key extortion.”
I laugh and swat his chest. “I can’t believe you and the rest of the team took on the GM for me.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” he says simply.
The admission warms me from the inside out. And as much as I want to stay here in this moment with him, he has a responsibility to the team. A team I’m just as invested in as he is. When the game is over, he’ll be all mine again.
“Then you better go kick some Devil’s ass.”