Easton and the guys make it through playoffs. I watch every game from home, sticking around to help my parents with whatever they need after the funeral. Dad joins me whenever I turn the games on because he needs a distraction.
On Sunday Heston is up against Penn State in the quarterfinal. Whoever wins will advance to the championships.
I dart a look at Dad in disbelief when he cheers for Penn State scoring the first goal.
Dad chuckles. “I still root for my alma mater.”
“I hope you like losing.” I smirk, getting into the game as Heston fires back with a lighting-quick play. “Heston is taking this. They’re going to the championships again.”
It’s a tense game. No one’s able to stay ahead for long. It comes down to a play during overtime.
Easton—no, Lainey’s brother has the puck now. He passes it back to Easton.
I jump to my feet clutching a pillow to my chest, eyes wide. The players move so fast, the camera has trouble keeping up with them. It’s so different from watching in person.
I miss the moment they score, but the lamp lights up and they’re going wild with their arms in the air.
They did it. Heston won.
Dad gets up from his armchair with a resigned sigh. He opens his arms and I fall against him with a giddy noise.
“Your boyfriend dusted my school.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “Yeah, he did.”
He doesn’t let go, hugging me tighter. I sense he needs a minute and return it. The last week since I got home has been like this. For the most part he holds it together, but at random moments his emotions unravel whenever he remembers something he’ll miss about Grandpa. I understand, going through the same bouts when I see something that reminds me of him.
“Love you, sweetie,” he utters hoarsely.
“Love you too, Dad.”
When I pull back, I catch a glimpse of Easton on TV, helmet off, grinning that silly big grin that makes my heart beat faster, laughing at the center of his teammates jostling him in celebration.
More than anything, I want to be with him right now. I can picture his ecstatic laughter and it makes me want to be there for him, to support him and his team the way he’s supported me.
I can’t stay at home frozen in time forever, missing Grandpa. The world won’t stand still. At some point, we have to go on even though he’s not with us anymore.
It’s time for me to face that sometimes we plan our life out, but one small thing can make it all fall apart. But it doesn’t change the fact Grandpa is proud of me no matter what.
He might not be with me, he might not be here to call up whenever I want to talk. I close my eyes, feeling how much he loved me in all the memories of growing up with an amazing grandfather like him.
Grandpa knows how important it was to me to graduate this semester. I’m not giving up on that goal. I’ve put three years of hard work into this degree and I want to see it through to the end.
I was so afraid of losing him. It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced.
But Easton’s shown me that even though loss is inevitable, it doesn’t mean there isn’t love to help heal the broken pieces of my heart.
“Where’s Ryan?” I ask.
“Upstairs, I think. I’m surprised he didn’t watch the game with us.”
I cover my smile with my fingers. “When I asked earlier he told me he didn’t want to watch Easton’s team since they beat Elmwood.”
I find Ryan in his room, chin propped in his hand while a show plays on his laptop. I lean in the doorway.
“Hey. Can you do me a favor tomorrow?”
“What?”
“Give me a ride back to Heston Lake?”
He sighs, then nods. “You’re ready to go back?”
“I am. It’s been over a week. It feels weird, like we’re stuck in a bubble here.” I shrug. “But I’ve got to get back into the swing of my life and prepare for finals and graduation.”
“I don’t think I’m going back to finish classes,” he mumbles. “Just to see the guys and get my stuff. I need to find a place close to the Sabres’ practice facility and move in before I’m due to report for training.”
I blink in surprise. “You could at least finish the semester. You don’t have to be there until August, right?”
He shakes his head. “No point. Maybe I’ll transfer my credits and finish it online, but my job now is being a professional hockey player.”
The concept to just let it go unfinished is mind boggling to me after working my ass off to earn my degree. If Easton gets a draft pick, I wonder if he’ll feel the same. I’ve read over his papers and other assignments when we worked together. He was right about not slacking off in his classes.
“I’ll go pack up everything after I shower. Let’s head out early,” I say.
“Sure.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey,” he says before I walk away. “Are you okay?”
I run my fingers through my limp three-day old ponytail, nodding. “I think I will be.”
“Good. I don’t like to worry about you.”
I huff in amusement, then go to him and wind my arms around him in a crushing hug. He twists to return it.
“And what about you?”
He grunts and nods. “Yeah. Me too.”
“Good,” I parrot. “I don’t like worrying about you, either. Love you.”
“Love you too,” he says gruffly.
It feels good to return to Heston Lake. I’ve only been away for just over a week, yet it feels like it’s been ages.
I spend the morning emailing my professors and my advisor to apologize for my absence and explain the situation. Easton said he stopped by my classes, but I still want to tell them myself. My advisor replies to invite me for a meeting during office hours this week to get everything in order for my early graduation.
A relieved sigh escapes me. I flop back on my bed, balancing my laptop on my stomach.
The homepage for the student portal has a banner congratulating the hockey team for advancing to Frozen Four. The championship tournament begins next weekend.
Sitting back up, I check the ticketing sites for any available seats. They can be the crappiest seats, I’ll take them just to surprise Easton so he knows I’m there to cheer him on when he steps on the ice.
“Damn. Sold out for both games, really?”
I shouldn’t be shocked. Exhaling, I scour Facebook and auction sites for any opportunities. My stomach clenches when I find a listing.
Reagan comes in while I’m bidding and losing, close to emptying my savings account for these tickets.
“Come on,” I mutter. “No—No, no! Ugh!”
She sits on my bed. “What’s up?”
“I lost the tickets I was bidding on.”
“Concert tickets?”
I give her a flat look. “You know every concert playing before I do. No, hockey tickets. I wanted to figure out something last minute for Easton’s big game.”
“Oh, well lucky for you, I got you something.”
She messes with her phone, then shows me a ticket package that covers access for the semifinal and championship games. There’s also a hotel reservation in my name.
“Oh my god.” I grab her phone, holding it close. “What? How?”
“Me, Hana, and some of the guys on the team all chipped in to get you this and make sure you’re staying at the same hotel they’ll be at. I’ve saved up all those extra tips they were giving me for making sure their song played. We wanted you to have something fun to do after everything you’ve been through.”
“Rea.” I move my laptop out of the way and tackle her with a thankful hug. “You’re the best bestie ever.”
“Love you. You’d better write this into your wedding vows,” she teases. “And don’t leave out the part how I helped him get your number, either.”
Both of us are consumed with a fit of giggles.
It feels really good to find the ability to laugh again.
“I have to pack.” I spring out of bed and flit around my room.
“You’ve got days to pack.”
“I’ve got to go. The guys are off this week before the tournament starts, so I want to go there.”
She laughs. “You just got back and you’re already leaving me.”
I pause, clutching all of the clean underwear in my arms to divide between the bag I’ll take to the hockey house and the one I’m packing for my surprise trip.
“I’m just joking,” she assures me with a wave of her hand. “Go, shoo. Have fun. There’s a very sexy tattooed drummer coming over later that’s great at pounding things with his stick, anyway.”
I snort. “Nice.”
She winks. “I mean when he makes music. He’s doing the percussion track for the song I’m working on. Then he’ll pound me.”
“Enjoy.”
“Oh, I will, babe.” She spreads out on my bed with a dramatic moan. “So much.”
“You’re ridiculous. I love you.”
She grins. “Back at you.”
Once I finish cramming two bags full of clothes, I take one, hurrying across campus and through the square to get to Easton. He’s sitting on the porch brushing the cat.
Everything feels right again once he looks up, face splitting into a broad, heart-stopping smile.
“Maya.”
The warmth spreading through me at his affectionate tone fills me to the brim until I can’t contain a smile.
I start towards him slowly. My pace quickens when he stands, opening his arms. I fly right into them, jumping on the last step. He catches me in his strong embrace, a content rumble sounding in his chest.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“I was ready.”
I smoosh my face into his hoodie, savoring the comforting fresh masculine scent that is so distinctly him. The scent that tells me I’m where I belong—the home I’ve found in my person.
He strokes my back. The bag on my shoulder slips and he takes it for me.
“You didn’t say you were coming back.”
I rest my chin against his chest, peering up at him. Another happy flutter moves through me.
“Ryan drove me back early this morning. I had to talk to my professors to make sure I was on track first, but I wanted to tell you in person that I was ready to find my normal again.”
He hums, hugging me tighter. “That’s an important step. Proud of you.”
“It’s thanks to you for keeping me afloat through this. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for being there for you. You needed me.”
God, I love him. I love him so much it overwhelms me. How is it possible to feel everything this deeply for one person?
“I did. But now it’s my turn. I promise I’ll be watching and cheering you on.”
He brings his face close to mine, staring into my eyes before he kisses me. I smile into it, thinking about my surprise trip.
“Are you staying a while?”
He hoists my bag, resting a hand at the small of my back to guide me inside.
“Until you leave.” I shoot him a sassy smirk. “So you’d better run upstairs and kick out whoever’s been warming your bed because your girlfriend’s here.”
He chuckles, smacking my ass with a shake of his head. “The only other girl in my bed is Kit-cat. You two are the only ladies for me.”
“Smooth, captain.”
He tilts his head back slightly, eyes hooding in pleasure, the tip of his tongue tracing his lip. My heart beats faster. I step towards him, drawn to him like a magnet.
“The others are in the living room. I’m going to put your stuff upstairs.”
I linger for a moment, taking in the way his gray sweatpants accentuate his ass and sculpted legs. Part of me wants to chase him up those stairs, but I want to see the guys, too.
Cameron and his tutor from class, Elodie, are on the couch with game controllers. Hers is customized with a pretty pastel green skin and cat paw covers on the joysticks. Elijah and Madden are sprawled in the armchairs watching the game they’re playing together.
Noah spots me first when he’s coming in from the back den in gym shorts and a Heston Hockey hoodie.
“Hey, there she is.” He holds up a hand for a high five. “Good to see you.”
I slap my hand against his and hug him. “You guys, too. Thanks again for all the messages and food you sent.”
“No problem,” Cameron says without taking his eyes off his character.
He’s dressed like a medieval knight and Elodie’s character uses magic. I fold my arms over the back of the couch. They’ve been playing this a lot lately during their study breaks.
“What are you guys playing again?”
“It’s an open world RPG with a fantasy setting. You play single player or multiplayer if you form a party, like we have,” Elodie answers quietly. “The main storyline is loose enough that we can create our own around the major quests. We’re working on a new base to store our supplies before we take on the next boss.”
It’s taken her a while to get comfortable with the boisterous atmosphere of the hockey house and open up to us. She’s introverted until it comes to gaming, then she’s more talkative with a rush of information to dump. It’s really cute to see her get animated about things she’s interested in. I like her, she’s a calming presence to hang out with.
After a few minutes of watching them explore the scenic area, I’m bouncing behind the couch. “Ohh, on your left, Cam! No, left! Dude, how are you so good in the net but you can’t stop your enemy from hitting you?”
“I—don’t—know,” he mutters. “Shit. El? A little help here?”
Elodie laughs quietly at my enthusiastic commentary. He games with his whole body, jerking side to side. In contrast, she keeps her eyes glued to the screen while her hands move in quick patterns on the controller.
Muscled arms lock around my waist and Easton’s scent surrounds me as he presses his body against mine. I tangle my fingers with his, leaning into him with an appreciative hum.
“There’s my girl,” he murmurs.
