Page 94 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“There’s a room down here for family to wait. Ask a staff member and they’ll show you.”

Some of the guys have already headed back down the tunnel so Luke guides me over and off the ice before he deposits Rory back in my arms. He gives me one last, lingering kiss and then he’s gone joining his teammates.

CHAPTER 33

LUKE

Things might’ve happened quicker than I planned, but I’m certain nothing beats leaving the stadium with the love of my life in the car beside me, our sweet boy in the back, and my mom watching my son with a smile on her face like he’s the greatest thing she’s ever seen.

It seems impossible that somehow, I’ve gotten everything I’ve ever dreamed of so young. I’ve always been a hard worker and put in a lot of hours on the ice, and while my goal was reaching the NHL I also knew it was something that might never happen. So many guys who play hockey dream of reaching the NHL and don’t. There are only so many spots.

And when it comes to my family, I figured it was something that would come later in my life. Maybe in my 30s. Perhaps even after I had retired from hockey.

But the universe deemed me lucky enough to reach my biggest goals now.

At home, I park beside my mom’s vehicle and say my goodbyes to her since she has to drive home tonight. I wanted her to stay the night, but she said the only way she could come is if she drove back tonight. I decided not to complain, because selfishly I wanted her here for my first ever home game.

Bertie stands beside me as we watch my mom back out of the driveway. I wrap my arm around her and she leans into me, giving a tired yawn. “Ready for bed?” I ask.

“You have no idea. I’m so glad I was there tonight, but I’m exhausted.”

“I’ll tend to Rory. I can get him ready to go down for the night.”

She yawns again. “And I’ll keep an eye on him while you shower again.”

I like that she’s already used to this quirk of mine and doesn’t complain about it.

“He can shower with me. Isn’t he due for a bath?”

“Yes, but what if he doesn’t like the shower?”

“Let’s just try it.” I slide the door open to the back and pluck the carrier out. Bertie stubbornly tries to take the carrier from me. “Babe, I’ve got him.”

“Sorry.” She gives an embarrassed laugh. “Habit.”

A feeling of regret hits me square in the chest. We’re only at the beginning of the season and she’s already gotten used to doing this on her own.

Inside, Bertie heads straight for the dresser to grab her pajamas. “Let me get my makeup wipes from the bathroom.”

“Take your time.” I set the car seat down and unclip Rory, lifting him into my arms. He’s still scrunching up like a little ball and it’s the cutest fucking thing. I cradle him to my chest with a hand on his head while I grab a pair of his pajamas and a fresh diaper to set out on the changing table.

Bertie emerges from the bathroom, already wiping the makeup off her face.

“I’m so happy we got to see you tonight. That was the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“Really?” I ask surprised.

“Really.”

“It meant the world to me knowing you guys were there.” I brush the backs of my fingers over her cheek, and because I can’t help myself, I duck my head down to her level and kiss her.

When I pull away, she surprises me when she says, “I missed you.”

Sometimes Bertie is hard to read, and I know it makes me sound fucking whipped, but I don’t care if I’m the one in this relationship that cares more about her than she does me. I’m down bad and I own that. But it’s still good to hear her say that.

“Are you sure it wasn’t just Rory that missed me?”

She shakes her head. “No. I missed you the most.”