“Absolutely, but has Ford?”
“He has,” I stated.
“And you’re sure? He hurt you before.”
“He never initially tried to hurt me,” I insisted.
Hayden sighed, finally relenting. “Just be careful, Coop. I don’t want to say ‘I told you so’ later.”
As I nodded, the weight of Hayden’s warning settled in the pit of my stomach. “I appreciate your concern, but this time, things are different. Trust me.”
“All right, but if you’re telling me this so he can come to my wedding?—”
“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not it at all, but I hope that maybe one day you’ll give him a chance to show you who he has become and not just see him as that lost kid anymore.”
“Lost?” Hayden snorted. “How was he lost?”
“Ford has a lot he’s had to work through and if you can find it in you to be open-minded, then maybe you’ll understand that he fucked up and he regrets it.”
“I know all about fuck-ups and regrets. If you’re happy, then great.”
“Maybe after your honeymoon, we can all have dinner together?” I suggested. “Ford wants to talk to both of you.”
Hayden nodded slowly. “I’ll have to talk to Tyler.”
17
Ford
Kayleeand I went through the security line and had the usher scan our tickets before we walked into the arena. We’d headed over after work, so we only had about fifteen minutes until the game started.
“Want to get something to eat?” I asked as we walked past the concession stand.
“Sure. What are you thinking?”
“I usually get nachos.”
“Sounds good to me.”
While we waited in line, I sent Coop a text.
Go out there and kick some ass tonight. Love you
It had become a little tradition for me to send him a message before every game. The first time I did it, he scored twice that game (and again after the game). And because hockey players are some of the most superstitious people, he’d told me I needed to text him every time he played. He didn’t always have time to respond, but I knew he appreciated that I sent one anyway.
With our hands full, Kaylee and I made our way down to our seats. As we slid into our row, the arena lights went down, and gold spotlights flashed across the stands as the team’s intro music began to play. I could feel the roar of the crowd vibrating through my body as I watched Coop and his teammates step onto the ice.
“Holy shit. This is crazy,” Kaylee shouted.
“The closer the Bruins get to clinching their playoff spot, the more intense the crowds have gotten,” I explained since I’d attended almost every home game since we’d been back together.
The guys skated in a circle, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off my boyfriend. Seeing him in his uniform was always a turn-on.
“There’s Butcher.” Kaylee tugged at my jersey and pointed toward him. “He’s so hot.”
I laughed. If she was that excited seeing him on the ice, she was going to freak out when he joined us after the game. Of course, I hadn’t told her that was the plan. I thought it would be more fun to surprise her. At least, it would be for me.
After the National Anthem, the teams got into position for the puck drop, which Coop immediately gained control of. Since I spent most nights with him, I knew how grueling the game was. Sometimes, he fell asleep the second his head hit the pillow. Yet, watching him, he made what he did on the ice look easy.
