She tips the microphone to me while my world collapses.
I’m getting traded. I thought Ward was proud and all the pieces were falling into place, but now I’m being traded. I’m getting sent away from the woman I love.
She signed a studio lease; she needs to stay in Vancouver. She’s going to need me over the next year as she opens her studio. I can’t leave her.
Before our life together can truly start, it’s over. I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“I’m not leaving.”
The reporter gives me a strange frown. The decision is up to the coach and owners, not me. “Is there another organization you’re favoring?”
“No.” I shake my head, pulse hammering. “I’m not going.” My words are sharp. “I love this team, I love playing for Tate Ward, and I love my girlfriend. Her job and life are here and I’m not moving away from her.” I can feel the stubborn set of my jaw as I glare at the reporter. “I’m not leaving.”
CHAPTER 78
HAZEL
I finish teaching shortly after nine that evening, but instead of walking home to my apartment, I head to Rory’s.
Maybe I’ll take some photos for him, I think with a coy grin. Ward has a no-phones policy in the dressing room, but Rory will see them after the game.
The night is chilly as I walk, and I’m overcome with the urge to text him. When I pull my phone out, though, a slew of messages and missed calls light up the screen.
Three from Pippa. A few from my dad. Texts from Hayden and a handful of other players and staff.
Call me, Pippa says.
“Finally,” she answers when I call.
“Tell me what the fuck is happening.”
She hesitates.
“Tell me.” People on the sidewalk flinch away from my sharp tone.
“Rory might get traded.”
I stop walking, and every muscle in my body tenses. “What?” I ask softly.
No. I heard wrong.
“Rory might get traded,” she repeats, quieter. “I’m sorry.”
But—no. He loves playing for Ward, and he’s worked so hard to earn his spot on the team. Rory’s finally playing in a way that makes him happy. His teammates are like his brothers, and he’s developed into an incredible captain. He’s talking to his mom again.
I love him. He can’t leave Vancouver.
A weird noise comes out of my throat, but no words form.
“Rumors started online this afternoon,” Pippa adds.
I’ve been teaching all afternoon, and my phone has been in my bag on silent.
“His dad confirmed the Storm have offers from other teams.”
I’ve seen this happen before. The trade rumors start and teams throw in their offers for a player in case there’s any legitimacy to them.
We love each other. I finally gathered the courage to say it to him, and now this? Our relationship is so new and fragile, and now that I’ve signed a studio lease, my dream is happening here. I can’t move. I can’t go with him unless I back out of the lease.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
We say a tense goodbye, and I open Google. The top search result is a video, and I open it right there on the sidewalk.
It’s Rory being interviewed in pregame press, wearing the same stricken look he wore during yoga that time, like he’s been blindsided. My eyes sting. He doesn’t want to leave the Storm, and my heart’s breaking for him.
“And your father and agent, Rick Miller,” the reporter says, “confirmed the presence of these offers.”
His jaw ticks. “I’m not leaving.”
My eyes go wide. What is he doing?
“I love this team,” he continues, staring daggers at the reporter like it’s her fault he might get traded. “I love playing for Tate Ward, and I love my girlfriend. Her job and life are here and I’m not moving away from her.”
“Oh my god,” I murmur, heart pounding. “What did he just do?”
My eyes go to the time—the second period just ended. If I hurry, I can get to the arena and talk to Rory before the third period starts.
My unhinged, impulsive, heart-on-his-sleeve hockey player needs me.
CHAPTER 79
HAZEL
“I’m sorry,” the security guard says when I try to get into the hall that leads to the dressing room. “If you don’t have your employee pass, I can’t let you in.”
I’m breathing hard. The third period’s going to start any second. I need to get back there before Rory gets on the ice. He must be freaking out.
I growl with frustration. “My photo is on the team website. I can show ID.”
The security guard shakes his head. “Employee pass only. Those are the rules.”
He’s new and he’s just doing his job, so I clamp my mouth shut, even as every cell in my body vibrates with impatience.
Five minutes later, ticket in hand, I’m hurrying down the steps in the stands toward the tunnel where the players will come out of. I take a spot along the railing, shaking with anticipation. People stare at me, but I don’t care. They probably think I’m an obsessed fan, or maybe they recognize me as Rory’s girlfriend and wonder what the hell I’m doing, but all I can think about is how devastated Rory must be.
Finally, the team files out. Hayden gives me a questioning look, but my attention’s on the player with a C on his jersey right behind him.
“Rory.”
He does a double take at me, shock all over his face, and I lean over the railing, grab the front of his jersey, and pull him to me.
Security guards rush at us from all sides.
“Ma’am,” one says, “take your hands off him.”
“Back off,” I snap.
I am the unhinged, impulsive one with her heart on her sleeve.
Rory starts to smile, eyes wide like he’s afraid of me, but he shakes his head at the employee behind me. “It’s okay.” His eyes meet mine. “What—”
“I love you.” I pull him closer, and his hands come to my shoulders so I don’t fall over the railing.
He huffs a laugh, relief flooding his eyes. “I love you, too.”
“I know. I’m not letting you go.”
“I’m not letting you go.”
I see it in his eyes—he means it. Rory’s all in, but so am I.
The players are either on the ice or the bench, and Ward glances over at us, wondering what’s holding up the captain. My gaze lifts to the Jumbotron, and my pulse jumps. The camera’s on me and Rory. Great.
“If you get traded,” I tell Rory, “we’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it all out. I’m not scared.”
His expression is so earnest it breaks my heart. “I’m not leaving you.”
“I know.” I pull him closer, leaning down to kiss him. Our lips crash together and cheering breaks out in the arena. My feet are in the air, and a moment later, Rory’s pulling me over the railing, setting me down, kissing me harder.
The applause turns into a roar, people hooting and hollering as Rory’s hand comes to the back of my head and he kisses me deeper. I feel his kiss all the way to my toes, warming every nerve and cell in my body. When we break apart to sneak a glance at the Jumbotron, our faces are still up there for everyone to see.