“Okay, guys. Upstairs and get ready for bed.” I point my index finger at Alyssa. “You have to do your twenty-minutes of reading tonight, plus the twenty you owe me from last night.”
She grumbles. The kid hates reading, and it’s literally like a knife to my chest every time she says it.
Who hates reading?! It’s blasphemy.
Avery hops up from the table. “Rock, paper, scissors to see who has to shower first?”
The duo scampers into the hallway, yelling aboutbest out of three.
I blow out a long breath through my lips, and lift my eyes between Stephen and Chance. “Well, now you see what I’ve been busy doing for the last four years.”
Stephen shakes his head. “You’re incredible for doing this on your own.”
Chance nods. “I just wish you would’ve told us.”
I roll my eyes. “Come on. You two were getting drafted into the NHL. I was here helping two kids grieve the loss of their mother, while trying to grieve the loss of my sister at the same time.”
“And...?” Chance’s dark brows pinch together. “You think I wouldn’t have come running to help you?”
“That’s the point. I didn’t want to ruin your chances at the life you have now.” I pause, emotion lodging itself in my throat again. “I’m so proud of you both. You’ve made your dreams come true.”
“Regardless, the universe pushed us back together again.” Stephen’s hopeful blue eyes stare into mine before he turns to Chance. “The three of us.”
I gesture between them. “Have you two been?—”
“No.” Chance’s reply is instant and final.
They haven’t been together...since the three of us were?
“He’s still hockey’s mysterious bachelor.” Stephen’s voice drips with disdain. Even after all this time, he’s still bitter about the fact that Chance keeps his sexuality hidden from the world.
Chance rolls his eyes and rises from his seat. “It’s getting late. I should get going.”
“And still running from the truth,” Stephen sing-songs.
Chance’s jaw clenches as he flips him off. “Always a fucking pleasure.”
I stand and walk him toward the front door. “Thanks for taking over dinner tonight.”
Chance turns to face me when he gets to the door, his dark eyes roaming over my face. “Thanks for letting me in.”
I reach up and brush his dark strands out of his eyes. “I know I hurt you when I left, and I’m sorry, Chance. I just thought it would hurt less that way.”
He catches my wrist and presses my palm to his cheek, closing his eyes as he leans into my touch. “It hurt all the same.”
I realize that now.
I pull back my hand and let it drop at my side. “I hope you can get closure now.”
“Closure?” Something flashes in his eyes as they narrow. “You think that’s what this is?”
I hike a shoulder. “What else would it be?”
We can’t have what we once shared. Not again. Not after all this time. Not when I’m raising two children who need me. Our lives are so different now.
Stephen steps up beside us, and leans down to press a kiss to my temple. “Pretty girl, this is just the beginning.”
They’re out the door before I can say anything, before I can ask...
