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“I don’t pity you, Gunnar. I admire you. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Everleigh.” Gunnar rested his hand on my hip. “Have you ever thought about living the life your mom imagined for you?”
“I couldn’t do that.” The conversation was starting to make me feel uncomfortable.
“Why?” Gunnar’s eyes were soft and he held my gaze until I looked away. The reason I worked in hockey was stupid – that was why. I wasn’t ready to tell him the only way to get my father’s attention was to be involved in hockey; that the three of us – Colton, mom, and me, had all wanted William King’s attention, and the only way to get it had been through hockey. Without the game, my dad wouldn’t have seen me. I’m sure a therapist would have a heyday with all of it, but I’d competed with my brother for my father’s attention.
“There’s a lot of reasons, Gunnar.” The idea of walking away from the industry was tempting, but it was a crazy dream. “I would love to live in the country and work with horses, and have a quiet life out of the spotlight. But this is my life now.”
“It doesn’t have to be. Everleigh, you’re young. Make sure you’re living your life for you, and not to please someone else.” It was as though he’d read my thoughts.
“What about you? Are you happy playing hockey?”
Even though I couldn’t see his face, I knew that he was smiling. I could feel it in his body. “I love hockey. This is my dream.”
I knew that would be his answer, but a part of me had hoped for a different response. Of course he loved the game.
“But, I…” He stopped.
“What?”
“I shouldn’t say anything. You’re technically my boss.”
I shifted, pulling the sheet from underneath my body so I could roll to face him. “Right now I’m not your boss. Anything you say here—”
“Can and will be used against me in a court of law?” He smirked and kissed me. “It’s nothing, Everleigh. I love the game; I love the team. I’m just not a fan of the city. I’m a small-town guy. But you can’t play in the National League and live in the middle of nowhere, so I guess we all have to sacrifice something, right?”
“Right,” I agreed, although I didn’t fully believe that statement.
“Living in the city is cool, I guess.” It sounded like he was backtracking. “But I’d love to live somewhere I could open the door and throw a tennis ball into a yard for Norman.” His voice dropped. “If he makes it.”
I rested my hand on his cheek. “Dr. Wise is the best. Norman is going to be running after tennis balls for years to come.”
Norman was in the barn, resting. After our afternoon swimming in the river, we had spent the evening comforting him. Gunnar had wanted to bring him to the cabin, but Dr. Wise wouldn’t allow it. He’d wanted the dog to stay as calm as possible. I’m pretty sure Gunnar would’ve slept in the kennel with Norman if I’d let him. The ACL surgery was scheduled for later today, and then Norman was going to have his recovery under the care of Dr. Wise’s team.
“I’m just – I mean, that dog has gotten me through a couple of tough years. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“You don’t have to worry about that right now. The only thing you have to worry about is getting back to the city in time for practice today. I couldn’t cancel two days in a row.”
“And it’s okay if I come back and visit Norman until he’s ready to come home with me?”
“Of course.” I smiled.
“That won’t raise any suspicion?”
It might, but I didn’t care. “I don’t think so,” I lied. “But you and I will have to be extra careful after you leave here today.”
The birds stopped chirping and silence fell heavily between us. As the horizon started to lighten, reality set in. Our time together was ending.
“Thank you, Everleigh.” Gunnar pulled the sheet over my shoulder and rested his hand on top. It was warm and heavy and felt like a weighted blanket, keeping me calm. “For everything you did for Norman, and for last night.”
“I’m not kidding, we have to be careful. I might even have to be bitchy to you in front of other people, just so we don’t raise any suspicion.” It didn’t seem like he was taking the nature of our illicit romance seriously.
“You mean you’re going to treat me like everyone else.” His grin was crooked.
I shook my hand free from the sheet and smacked him on the arm.
“Yes. You’re not getting any special treatment.”
