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I chuckled for a moment. He probably had a sixth sense that I would be up, too.
My thumb hovered over the screen. I could take the first step in that daring path Kathy nudged me toward.
"Sure, see you in 15."
And there it was, my choice shaping into reality one text message at a time.
I pulled up to the 24-hour diner under the neon sign. From inside my car, I saw Hoss sitting in a booth by the window, hunched over his phone. I took a deep breath.
As I pushed through the door, Hoss looked up. His handsome grin relaxed the knot in my stomach just a bit.
"Hey, you made it," he said as I slid into the booth across from him.
"Sleepless nights seem to be contagious."
"Tell me about it," he chuckled. "I was scrolling through game stats over and over. No end to that madness.”
We both laughed, and I was struck by how easily our conversation flowed, even in the dead of night. Our server, a young woman with dark circles under her eyes, approached our table.
"What can I get you, fellas?" she mumbled, notepad ready.
"Coffee, black," I said. I paused for a moment before adding more. "And let's go with the breakfast platter. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns."
"Starving, are we?" Hoss smirked.
"It's been a long day."
"Make that two breakfast platters," Hoss added. "And an extra side of bacon."
"Coming right up," she said, scribbling down our order.
She shuffled away, and for a second, the only sound was the hum of the diner's ancient jukebox playing some old 80s song.
"So," Hoss began, breaking the silence, "you had something on your mind earlier. I interrupted, and you never brought it up. Wanna share now?"
I looked at him, knowing I couldn’t hold the news back any longer.
"Yeah, I've got a job offer. NHL level," I said, watching his expression change, his eyes opening wider for a moment before settling back into an unreadable calm.
"Wow, Pete, that's...that's huge. You going for it?"
"Still figuring it out," I admitted. "The offer is everything I thought I wanted. Back in the spotlight and back where everyone says I should be. But—" I hesitated, words forming and then disappearing as they danced on the tip of my tongue.
"But?" he prompted.
“I think there's more to life than just what we're supposed to want, right? Sometimes, what you find along the way...it matters."
A long silence passed between us.
"I get that," he said softly. "Cold Pines was a last resort for me. You know, after rehab, I didn't think anyone would take a chance on a screw-up like me, but they did. And then you showed up, and suddenly, this place feels like where I'm supposed to be. I guess what I'm saying is, if you're looking for a reason to stay, you've got one. At least one."
I was about to respond when the server interrupted with our food, plates laden with breakfast delights.
"Enjoy," she said as she refilled our coffee.
"Hoss, that's one hell of a thing to say," I managed, my voice barely more than a whisper.
"Well, it's one hell of a decision you've got to make," he countered. "And whatever you choose, just make sure it's something you're willing to go to the mat for."
