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“Okay.” I sigh like she’s worn me down. “I’ll get another car.” I pull onto the bridge to North Vancouver, and my gut tightens with nerves. “What kind of car do you want?’
She shakes with laughter. “You’re relentless.”
My thoughts wander to my mom, and another round of nerves pitch through me. My fingers drum on the steering wheel in anticipation. Do her friends even know about me? Does she have a partner? Does she still go hiking in the trails? It’s like she’s a stranger. But the way she looked at me yesterday, it felt like—
My exhale is heavy. It felt like she didn’t want it to be that way.
She left, though, so now I don’t fucking know what to think. I don’t know what I’m doing, going to visit her today.
Hazel’s hand lands on my thigh. She can see right through me, and she knows I’m nervous about today.
I wonder what else Hartley knows. I wonder if she realizes I’m in love with her.
“I’m glad you’re coming with me today,” I admit, glancing between her and the road.
Without Hazel, I’d make some excuse and then lift weights until I was too tired to think. With Hazel, though, I haven’t felt the urgent, clawing feeling that I’m not doing enough for hockey. If I asked her about it, she’d say I can take three days off without ruining my career, and I’d agree.
“I need you,” I add, inching closer to the secret I’m keeping from her.
Hazel’s changed my life in ways I couldn’t predict, and being with her is so much more than I expected.
She watches me, and I worry I’ve pushed it too far, but she just gives me that soft, sweet Hazel smile I’ve unearthed in the past few months.
“I’m happy I’m here, too,” she says, giving my leg another squeeze.
CHAPTER64
RORY
While my mombustles around the party, topping up drinks and chatting with people, I sit beside Hazel in the living room. My mom bought this house a few months after she left, and I’ve been here twice. No, three times. I spent most of my visits practicing slapshots in the driveway, ignoring her.
“Hazel,” my mom says, taking the seat beside her. “What do you do?”
Her hand slips into mine, anchoring me. “I’m a physio for the team.”
They talk about Hazel’s work and her yoga practice, and my mom gives me a warm look when Hazel shows her the earrings I bought.
“How are you liking the Vancouver team, Rory?” my mom asks, and the room seems to quiet down.
“Good.” I send her a quick glance. “Streicher’s on the team, so it’s nice to play with someone I know.” I shift, aware that everyone in the room is listening to our conversation. “And I like playing for Ward.”
My mom nods, humming. “Didn’t you have his poster on your wall?”
Hazel smiles up at me, and I try to smile back, but my face feels rigid. “Yeah.”
She hums again, and we fall quiet. She looks at her hands in her lap before glancing over at me. “Jamie and his mom are doing well?”
I nod. “Yep.”
“He and my sister are engaged,” Hazel adds, and my mom lights up.
“I saw he was engaged but I didn’t know she’s your sister.” My mom’s gaze flicks between us, hesitating like she wants to say more. “Congratulations to them.”
Hazel runs her thumb over the back of my hand, and a few knots inside me untie. I don’t know how I’d do this without her.
“Jamie’s a surly grump,” Hazel tells my mom, “but I couldn’t ask for a better brother-in-law.”
My mom chuckles. “He was always quiet and serious. Nothing like Rory. I guess that’s why they were good for each other.”
