Page 84 of Open Net

“But you have to promise to come back to me.”

“Always.”

She held my gaze for several beats before leaning up and kissing my lips briefly.

I was too shocked to move. It was the most affection she’d shown since Jackson was born. She pulled back before I could respond. One short kiss and I knew.

We were going to be okay.

21

Emma

Coach Romney called me the day I got back home and asked me to come to practice the next day. I wasn’t sure why. He’d never done that before, but he wouldn’t give me any other information.

I’d texted the girls from the Pride, but they were just as clueless. Maybe there was an event coming up Coach wanted help with. It was the only thing I could think of.

I didn’t tell Olli I was coming. He and I had talked every day that I was gone, and I knew he was doing well. Coach wouldn’t be calling me in about that.

While I was gone, I’d also got Addison to dish on what was happening with her and Grant. Apparently, they really hit it off at the gala. They’d exchanged numbers and met up a few times. She enjoyed spending time with him, and he didn’t run away when he found out about Eli, so she was willing to be friends. She said that’s all they were, but I had a feeling she was lying to herself.

I called her and asked if she wanted to go to practice with me, and unsurprisingly she said yes.

We walked in together, carrying our boys and were greeted like royalty by the Pride.

Chloe was the first to see us coming down the stairs and ran to meet us. “I can’t believe you’re here.” She hugged me then Addison. “It’s so good to see you.”

I was glad she was accepting of Addison. Sometimes she could be a bit territorial.

“Thanks Chloe. It’s good to be back.” I didn’t just mean back in Salt Lake. I hadn’t been to a practice since Olli’s injury. It didn’t feel right being there when Olli couldn't. I went from missing only a handful of practices to months. It felt glorious to be back.

Colby and Sasha, Porter’s wife, came up and relieved us of the babies. Addison didn’t seem to mind a near stranger taking Eli which made me laugh. She was becoming a part of the Pride without knowing it. Hopefully, Grant knew what was going on.

“Come on down.” Chloe led the way to the section we always sat in. “We’ve been coming up with theories why Coach asked you here. So far, we’re split. Some think there’s going to be a new spirit group or something he wants you to help with or maybe Madi has an announcement and asked him to get you here so it would be more of a surprise.”

Those both shocked me. “You think she’s pregnant?”

She shook her head. “There’s no way Erik could have kept that a secret from me.”

That had been my thought too.

“So, a spirit group? Like cheerleaders?” There was one team in the league that had cheerleaders, but I didn’t see the Fury joining in on that. And what did I have to do with that?

Colby shrugged. “We’re stumped, okay?”

I turned my attention to the ice. The guys had just stepped out and were starting to warm up. A few minutes later, Coach walked through the tunnel. I sat up, expecting him to wave me down but he didn’t even look up. He was talking to Coach Rust, then called out for the guys to start drills.

“What the heck?” I murmured.

Sasha laughed behind me. “Maybe he just missed you.”

At this point that was the option that made the most sense.

Since there didn’t seem to be anything urgent going on, I relaxed in my seat and studied the players. It had been a while since I’d seen them in person, and they were looking as good as ever.

“Reese has improved his backhand.” I was impressed by the shot he got past Derek at the goal. I hadn’t seen him try that angle before.

“Yeah he’s been working on that one.”