AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can’t quit, though. That’s not who I am. My blood pounds with the need to figure this out.
“Is it okay if we stick around for a bit?” I ask her, watching the guys warm up.
Her smile lifts higher, eyes full of encouragement. “Play as long as you want.”
I step onto the ice and skate over to Ed.
“Room for one more tonight?”
I’m fully prepared for him to let me down easy after how last week went, but he gives me a quick nod and a welcoming smile.
“You bet.” He points over to the bench. “Extra sticks on the bench.”
Ten minutes later, we’ve warmed up and split into teams, and the whistle blows. I keep my distance from the puck, playing less aggressively, fighting every instinct my dad has drilled into my head, but the feeling of wrongness persists, like I’m not doing what I should. The guy I’m covering goes for the puck, and I knock it back to one of my teammates.
This feels wrong. I’m not the star, but this isn’t even fun. It feels like I’m hiding. There’s no point to being here if I’m going to sit on the sidelines.
A memory from the team dinner filters into my head—watching Hazel step into the hall and shoot McKinnon with the foam pellet, winning the game, and the victory in her eyes. The intense, expansive feeling of pride in my chest.
Watchingherwin felt incredible.
The other team has the puck, but I swing past, snagging it before passing to Ed, who’s open. I skate to the net.
“Open,” I call, and he passes back to me.
The players scramble between me and the net, blocking my shot.
Here’s where I would normally score. That’s what I’m paid for, that’s what I’m trained to do. Ward isn’t here, though, and my dad’s not watching on TV. There’s no media. It’s just Hazel, and she doesn’t give one shit if I score goals.
I pass back to Ed. Surprise flares in his expression before he sends the puck toward the net. The goalie lunges, but it sails past.
Our team cheers, and Ed gives me a triumphant smile. Something opens in my chest—pride and reward and delight. Happiness. It’s the same feeling as sprinting up the stairs with Hazel. It’s the tight coil of joy in my chest when she shrieked, and when she slapped a palm over her mouth during our FaceTime call, muffling her laughter.
She watches from the stands with a proud, pleased smile, and I think I just figured it out.
CHAPTER26
HAZEL
A package is proppedagainst my front door when I get home from skating with Rory.
I step inside, drop my bag, and kick off my shoes, then I cut the box open. Another box sits within the shipping box—pale pink with a white bow around it. I frown. My birthday isn’t for months, and Pippa usually warns me if she’s sending something to me.
The ribbon is soft under my fingers, and when I slide the lid off the box and move the thick tissue paper aside, my jaw drops.
Three bras and three pairs of lace panties are neatly folded inside the box. The sets—in cream, sky blue, and a pale, delicate lavender—are beautiful, high-quality and constructed with care. Sheer fabric lines the bra cups, and the straps are satin, soft, and so smooth.
My heart lurches with excitement. I never,everbuy myself the nice stuff out of guilt, but these pieces are so pretty and feminine that I’m desperate to wear them.
I frown. Who sent me lingerie? In the box, a card sits tucked to the side.
I gasp.Love, Rory, the card says.
Without a thought, I’m already phoning him.
“Miss me already? Fine,” he sighs, pretending to sound put out. “I’ll come over.”
“Rory. What the hell? You sent me lingerie?”
