Page 34 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"Traitor."

Coach chuckles. "He also said the cabin's fine." Something inside me loosens. Not much. Just enough.

The cabin means home. Home means normal.

Coach continues. "The neighbors already grabbed the mail."

"I didn't ask anybody to…" "I know." He cuts me off gently. "Nobody waited to be asked." Silence settles for a moment. Then Coach squeezes my good shoulder. "I'll let you get cleaned up."

He heads toward the door. Halfway there he pauses. "Oh..."

I look up.

"Ethan finally answered my call."

Every muscle in my body stills. "And?"

"He won't stop apologizing."

I close my eyes briefly. "I figured."

Coach smiles. "I told him exactly what you asked me to."

"I think he needed to hear it."

Relief washes through me so suddenly I hadn't realized I'd been carrying the weight of it. Good. Maybe the kid will sleep tonight. Coach nods once toward Annette.

"Try listening to her today."

"No promises."

"I know. And Jamie. I’m going to be here until you’re ready to go home, so heal. Then both of us can get out of here."

He leaves smiling, and the room grows quiet again.

Annette closes the chart.

"So..."

She nudges the duffel bag lightly with the toe of her shoe.

"Ready to trade the hospital fashion show for something slightly more respectable?"

"I thought this gown was working for me."

"It has an undeniable breeze."

I laugh, immediately regret it.

She pretends not to notice.

I appreciate that. I unzip the duffel.

Colby packed jeans.

Sweatpants.

A sweatshirt.