“I’m glad I did, too.” Cooper took the key out of the ignition and turned to her, hugging her to him as best he could with the console between them. Much to his surprise telling her made him feel better, as if he’d cut free this anchor that’d weighed him down all these years.
“We’ve come a long way,” Izzy said. “I always thought I had to be independent because of my parents’ irresponsible behavior and what it did to my sisters and me. I didn’t want to depend on anyone because I knew I’d be hurt, and they’d disappoint me.”
“And now?”
“I realize trusting someone enough to depend on them doesn’t mean that I have to give up my independence. That trust is power in itself.”
He understood her words. Sharing his secret had miraculously minimized the past’s power over him. Yeah, he’d still be claustrophobic in tight spaces, and he’d jump when he heard a gun go off, but he’d finally started down the path to healing.
They all had.
“I love you, Izzy.” He cupped her face between his big hands and kissed the hell out of her. It was a kiss like no other, a kiss full of passion and promises, a kiss that gave hope, a kiss that healed.
Chapter 23—Home Ice
Cooper loved his early morning skates, just him and the sound of his blades gliding across the ice. He turned on the speed, relishing the wind he’d created in his hair, and the ache in his muscles as he pushed himself faster and faster.
It was Christmastime, a month after the shooting, and Riley and Izzy’s life had settled into a routine.
Cooper was so proud of his kid, and Riley was his kid, that his chest swelled with pride. Cooper had wanted to put Riley in a different school, but Riley refused his offer. He said he wanted to face what happened and be part of the healing process. Gina didn’t make it, but Riley took the news like a trooper, jumping in to help her parents with a memorial to her and the other kids who lost their lives.
Riley and Cooper worked with the team and the Kids at Play organization to start the healing process for the school and the city. Tanner joined in, giving his time, along with generous donations. While Tanner still wasn’t one of Cooper’s favorite people, Cooper had to admit he was an all right guy. So was Ethan. Cooper and Ethan had started skating together again in the early morning hours a couple days a week.
He contacted his attorney to take steps to adopt Riley, offering to pay Julie money to sign the papers. She took the money and ran. In some ways, he wished she had cared enough to fight for Riley, but she hadn’t. The court papers gave her visitation rights as long as she agreed to regular drug testing.
So far she hadn’t bothered.
Izzy insisted Riley go to regular therapy. While he wasn’t wild about it, he did it for her, which made Cooper smile. He called her Aunt Izzy now, and that made Izzy smile.
They weren’t half bad at this parenting thing, and Cooper decided he wanted more kids and soon.
He wasn’t sure what Izzy would think of that, but hey, he wanted them, just the same, and he’d convince her to see things his way. He was damn good at it, especially when they were in bed.
The Sockeyes were winning more than losing. The city embraced the team, selling out almost every single game.
Yeah, life was pretty good.
Cooper had a few more loose ends to tie up before he opened the next chapter in his life. He didn’t like to leave anything hanging.
When Ethan stepped onto the ice for their morning skate, Cooper was already breathing hard. He waited for Ethan to catch up to him, and they skated side by side around the rink several times. Ethan’s skating had improved considerably. Maybe he’d never be NHL caliber, but he was a damn good amateur skater.
As they slowed to cool down, Cooper glanced over at Ethan. “My arm’s pretty sore.”
Ethan gave him a sideways glance, “And you’re telling me this why?”
Cooper pulled off his sweatshirt to reveal his bare chest.
Ethan stumbled on the ice and skidded to a halt. Cooper skated a sharp circle and did a perfect stop a few feet in front of his boss. Hands on hips, chests heaving, both men stared at each other.
“My agent will be calling Garrett next week, but I warn you, he’s a ruthless bastard, and he drives a hard bargain,” Cooper said.
“So do I,” Ethan said with a slow smile.
“Yeah, I’m sure you do.” Cooper smiled back.
“Welcome to the Sockeyes for the next ten years, Mr. Black.” Ethan held out his hand.
Cooper shook it firmly. “You’d better be putting some Stanley-Cup caliber teams on the ice, Mr. Parker, or there’ll be hell to pay. I expect nothing less.”
“So do I.” Ethan sobered for a minute. “What changed your mind? I thought you hated Seattle.”
“I thought I did, too. Guess I was wrong.”
Ethan nodded a grin breaking across his face. “Let me buy you breakfast.”
“It’d be an honor.”
One down, one to go. Cooper grinned as he skated off the ice, feeling better about this decision than he’d ever imagined. He rubbed his arm. That damn new tattoo hurt. Cooper held up his arm and admired the blue and green fish with a Space Needle hooked in its mouth, Mount Rainier in the background, and a space for the Stanley Cup to be inked somewhere down the road. The tattoo artist did a fine job.
Cooper was home, and it felt damn good.
Izzy stood at the deck railing of the same tour boat where she’d first met Cooper. It was all decked out in Christmas lights for the annual Christmas boat parade on Lake Washington and Lake Union. Inside, she could see their table, complete with Riley and a few of his buddies, Tanner and a date, Cedric, Brick, a few other teammates, and her sisters.
Cooper stood beside her, hugging her close. The night was cold and clear, but not even the chilly air could dampen her spirits. She loved Christmas, and right after Thanksgiving, she’d put up a huge tree. Riley and her sisters helped decorate, while Cooper and Cedric grumbled about having to put up Christmas lights on the eaves of the house.
“Are you happy, honey?” Cooper asked, bending his head so his blue eyes stared straight into hers.