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Good, quality time with my brother, not just snatches of evenings where I watch him slumber. I can talk with him, laugh with him, take him on walks, hug him as much as I want.
“You need to leave,” I blurt out, and Boone’s eyebrows knit in confusion. I point at the door. “Go, get out of here. I have checklists to make. I’ve got to talk to Georgie and Charles.”
A massive smile splits Boone’s face as he rises from his chair. He places his palms on the edge of my desk and bends forward, putting his face closer to mine.
Gosh, his eyes are magnetic. I could get lost in them.
“I’m proud of you,” he rumbles, and it heats my face. “Aiden will be too.”
I reach out my hand and rest it on top of his. He twists his wrist so that his fingers can wrap around mine. I squeeze. “Thank you, Boone. I don’t know why you do the things you do, but you’ve been such a positive influence on our family. If I could ever repay you, I would, but I’m not sure how.”
“I don’t need repaid or even thanked. Your smile is enough.”
My cheeks heat again and I hope he can’t tell I’m blushing over that compliment. I hope he just thinks I’m flushed with excitement about potentially rearranging my schedule.
I tug my hand away and nod toward the door. “Okay… now you have to go. I have so much to do.”
“I’m out of here,” he replies breezily, backing away from my desk.
“Oh, and good luck tomorrow,” I call out. “First game of the playoffs. Aiden and I will be watching.”
“Look at you,” he teases before stepping out the door. “A true hockey fan now.”
“Go.” I point at him. “Leave.”
“See you day after tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I murmur, and then he’s gone.
Day after tomorrow. I’ve learned about the playoffs and I know there’s a day in between the first two games, which are played at home since the Titans are at the top of their division. He’s clearly saying he intends to spend some of that day with me.
Well, probably with Aiden, but if all goes well today, I should be there too.
That thought shouldn’t make me as happy as it does.
CHAPTER 10
Boone
Iwalk intoMario’s and I’m nearly blown away by the roar from the crowd of fans who have been waiting for my entrance.
“Boone, Boone, Boone,” they chant.
Van claps me on the shoulder and yells out, “The hero has arrived.”
Van’s easygoing personality startles me as just a few weeks ago, he was mostly a curmudgeon and standoffish to everyone. Now that he and his wife, Simone, have reconciled, he’s a completely different person.
The fans scream and swarm us. Some random woman throws her arms around my neck and kisses me on the mouth. I can’t even get a good look at her before she’s gone and some dude locks his arm around my shoulders and takes a selfie of us—with the fucking flash on. I’m temporarily blinded but luckily Van insinuates himself between me and the crowd, ushering me back to our private area.
Playoff hockey is nuts. The fervor and adrenaline are amped, fans get whacko and I love every fucking minute of it. Given that I was pulled up from the minors after the plane crashed, this is a dream come true. The only thing better would be winning the championship.
I’m not surprised by the security guards that surround our section of tables and I’d bet money they were arranged by the organization and not by the owners of Mario’s. While we’re here to enjoy a celebratory beer following our game one win against the Buffalo Wolves, none of us will be staying out late tonight. We don’t fuck around during the playoffs. Rest is important, even if we have a one-day break before game two.
Van and I step over the velvet ropes to join those teammates already here. We both got held up by reporters at the arena for interviews since Van scored the first goal and I scored the game-winner in our 2–1 victory.
Van is immediately occupied as Simone walks up to him and pulls him down for a scorching kiss. I smile as I move around them, weirdly thinking of Lilly at that moment and kind of wishing she were here. She had so much fun the other night after the game and I’d love her to feel the very different vibe of the playoffs. But I doubt I’ll be able to drag her back to a game anytime soon as she is solely focused on Aiden now.
She texted me this morning from Aiden’s hospital room, having managed to put all the deli’s affairs in order and taking the very big and courageous step to let Charles and Georgie run the restaurant for her during the day. She texted me screenshots of her checklists and granted, I imagine it’s so long it unfurls, but Lilly is feeling safe enough to walk away from it. Honestly, I’ve been riding a high all day knowing she was at the hospital and I’m hoping right now, she’s in her bed getting a good night’s sleep.
