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But—no. He loves playing for Ward, and he’s worked so hard to earn his spot on the team. Rory’s finally playing in a way that makes him happy. His teammates are like his brothers, and he’s developed into an incredible captain. He’s talking to his mom again.
I love him. He can’t leave Vancouver.
A weird noise comes out of my throat, but no words form.
“Rumors started online this afternoon,” Pippa adds.
I’ve been teaching all afternoon, and my phone has been in my bag on silent.
“His dad confirmed the Storm have offers from other teams.”
I’ve seen this happen before. The trade rumors start and teams throw in their offers for a player in case there’s any legitimacy to them.
We love each other. I finally gathered the courage to say it to him, and now this? Our relationship is so new and fragile, and now that I’ve signed a studio lease, my dream is happeninghere. I can’t move. I can’t go with him unless I back out of the lease.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
We say a tense goodbye, and I open Google. The top search result is a video, and I open it right there on the sidewalk.
It’s Rory being interviewed in pregame press, wearing the same stricken look he wore during yoga that time, like he’s been blindsided. My eyes sting. He doesn’t want to leave the Storm, and my heart’s breaking for him.
“And your father and agent, Rick Miller,” the reporter says, “confirmed the presence of these offers.”
His jaw ticks. “I’m not leaving.”
My eyes go wide. What is he doing?
“I love this team,” he continues, staring daggers at the reporter like it’s her fault he might get traded. “I love playing for Tate Ward, and I love my girlfriend. Her job and life are here and I’m not moving away from her.”
“Oh my god,” I murmur, heart pounding. “What did he just do?”
My eyes go to the time—the second period just ended. If I hurry, I can get to the arena and talk to Rory before the third period starts.
My unhinged, impulsive, heart-on-his-sleeve hockey player needs me.
CHAPTER79
HAZEL
“I’m sorry,”the security guard says when I try to get into the hall that leads to the dressing room. “If you don’t have your employee pass, I can’t let you in.”
I’m breathing hard. The third period’s going to start any second. I need to get back there before Rory gets on the ice. He must be freaking out.
I growl with frustration. “My photo is on the team website. I can show ID.”
The security guard shakes his head. “Employee pass only. Those are the rules.”
He’s new and he’s just doing his job, so I clamp my mouth shut, even as every cell in my body vibrates with impatience.
Five minutes later, ticket in hand, I’m hurrying down the steps in the stands toward the tunnel where the players will come out of. I take a spot along the railing, shaking with anticipation. People stare at me, but I don’t care. They probably think I’m an obsessed fan, or maybe they recognize me as Rory’s girlfriend and wonder what the hell I’m doing, but all I can think about is how devastated Rory must be.
Finally, the team files out. Hayden gives me a questioning look, but my attention’s on the player with a C on his jersey right behind him.
“Rory.”
He does a double take at me, shock all over his face, and I lean over the railing, grab the front of his jersey, and pull him to me.
Security guards rush at us from all sides.
