He frowned, and stared, and then shrugged. “Y, Z, P, whatever, is too hard.”
“Okay, rhyming herb, what rhymes with herb?”
He winced. “Umm… Brerb, Flerb, Glerb.”
“Those are not words, sweetheart.”
He muttered something in Russian. “Stupid,” he added on the end.
I pressed a kiss to his hair. “What about an herb that rhymes with rhyme.”
He stared at me, so close, he was almost cross-eyed. “Why not say that?” he demanded, and I kissed him on the end of his nose this time, and he was waylaid, buried his hands in my hair and tugged me in for a proper kiss. Then he released me just as fast. “Thyme!” He scribbled in the word and tossed his pencil to the counter. “Done.”
“You’ve only filled in four clues.”
His eyes darkened and he turned on the stool to widen his legs and tug me between them. “No stupid words crossing, more kissing.”
I could have gone with that. I could have melted into his hold and lost myself in kisses and avoided the elephant in the room, but that wasn’t the right thing for either of us. I pulled back a little. His eyes were closed as he chased for more kisses. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful in my life, and what I was doing might just break his heart.
“We need to talk.”
“No talking, kissing.”
I pressed a hand to his chest, and waited, as he stared up at me, his brow furrowed, sensing the seriousness of the conversation. “What?”
I took a deep breath, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. “I’m going to call a meeting with team management today. It’s time for me to retire from playing hockey with the Railers.”
“We haven’t talked,” he said.
“Every time I try to talk to you, I just can’t get the words out,” I whispered. “I just need to do this, and I want you to still love me even if I—”
He pressed a finger to my lips. “I love you forever.”
“Then you’ll do this with me? Come with me?” This was a moment I’d rehearsed a thousand times in my head, but now that it was here, it felt surreal.
He closed his eyes for a moment, but his jaw tensed, and I knew he was fighting that demon that told him we’d be playing hockey forever, that it was in our DNA, that we’d be sixty and still playing.
“My beloved…” His gray eyes were stormy with emotions, but I couldn’t let him waylay this any longer. The Railers deserved to know, the kids too, and I was doing this one way or another.
“I know you hate it,” I continued, reaching for the press release I had prepared—the tangible proof of what I wanted to do. “But I’ve poured everything into this decision. It’s not just made because I’m tired. I’m not disillusioned, I love the game, I love the Railers, but I want to go, before there’s even a hint of being traded.”
He snarled. “You go, I go.”
“That isn’t the point Stan. Look, read this.” I handed the press release to him, and as he read it to himself, I watched the emotions play across his face—surprise, understanding, and then a soft pride that made my heart swell. Then he read it again, this time out loud, in halting words, and with so much emotion I wanted to cry.
“To my Railers family and the incredible fans,
Today, with a heart full of mixed emotions, I am announcing my retirement from professional hockey. This game has been my lifeblood, my passion, and my teacher. It has shaped me into the man I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
I have been blessed to spend my days playing with an extraordinary group of men, my band of brothers, who not only stood beside me on the ice but also helped me raise my son and supported me in finding the greatest love with my husband, Stan.
Every single day with the Railers was a day lived to the fullest, a dream I had the privilege to experience. As I hang up my skates, I look forward to the future with excitement. My plans are many, but they all start with family. With Stan. With the one man who has shown me what shape my forever will be.
To the younger players, the ice is yours now. Step up, play hard, and carry on the Railers legacy we’ve all worked so hard to build.
To the fans, your cheers, your faith, and your unwavering support have been the soundtrack of my career. I might be stepping away from the game, but I will never lose my love for this sport, nor will I forget the memories and the joy you have brought into my life.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
