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"Kris, we can't just shack up together," she protests. "The media will flip if they find out!"
"We aren't shacking up together. What we do is no one's fucking business. And frankly, I don't care who knows about us, Kelsey. I've never hidden the way I feel about you. I won't startnow. You're staying in my room, in my bed where you belong," I growl. "Don't make me carry your little ass down the hall and put you in my bed, princess. I'll make a fucking scene and won't be sorry about it."
"You wouldn't."
"I wouldn't even hesitate." I hold her gaze, letting her read the truth for herself. When it comes to her, there is no such thing as too far. I haven't gone far enough. I've let her get away with too much for too long, let her run away for too long. I'm not doing that shit anymore. We're doing this my way now. And I'll be as bossy and overprotective as I need to be to ensure that the woman I breathe for is safe. She's all that matters to me. I don't give a fuck what anyone has to say about it. If it was the other half of their souls at risk, they wouldn't hesitate either.
Her expression softens as she reads the truth in my eyes. "You're going to be impossible, aren't you?"
"Probably."
Her lips curve into a smile that tells me she doesn't hate the idea. "Fine, but don't expect me to approve, Kristján Jónsson."
"Are you coming backto work?" Theo demands, blocking the aisle with his body as he leans over Kelsey's seat, looming. The lines around his mouth are carved with worry. His dark scowl shouts the same. Anyone who didn't know him would think he's pissed. Everyone elseknows better. He and Kelsey are close. I think it's fucking him up a little that he doesn't know what the fuck is going on with her right now.
Everyone in our section of the plane falls quiet, waiting for Kelsey's answer.
She eyes Theo silently for a long moment. Long enough to have me worried she's going to tell him no. I know she thinks quitting is the right thing for them, but she's wrong. She needs them just as much as they need her. They'll help me teach her to let herself be loved. I think they already are in some ways.
"I have to take some time away to deal with some things," she says quietly. "But if there's a spot for me when I'm able to come back, then yes. I'll be back."
Relief runs through me in a current. I see the same go through our entire section of the plane. The shift in the air is palpable as the guys all exhale at once. Even Coach relaxes slightly.
"What kind of things?" Theo narrows his eyes at her, not willing to let her off that easy.
Kelsey glances from him to me.
I open my mouth to give her an out, knowing she isn't ready to have this conversation yet. But she squeezes my hand, silencing me.
"I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was eleven," she says, her voice soft. "It's a chronic condition I'll deal with for the rest of my life."
"Jesus, Kels," Theo says, rocking back on his heels. "You have leukemia?"
"What the fuck?" Jonas turns around in his seat, his face shell-shocked.
Gray and Kellan look devastated. Logan is pale. Coach MacAthie doesn't seem surprised. He knew? Fuck. Of course he knew.
"It's not terminal," she says, trying to soothe them. "People live full lives with the type I have. It just takes a little managing."
"You relapsed, didn't you?"
"It's not called a relapse, you jackass," Wes mutters. "She's not an addict. She's falling out of remission."
"You can call it either," Kelsey says quietly.
"Answer the question, Kels," Theo growls. He looks like I felt when she told me.
She bites her lip and then sighs reluctantly. "Maybe. I don't know yet, but if I am, we'll get me sorted back out," she says firmly, looking at each of our closest friends. "The important thing to remember is that I will be fine. I've been here before, and it will be okay. You guys need to focus on the Playoffs and the Cup because I'm going to be so mad if I talked you guys up all year as the greatest team in the NHL, and then you don't bring home the Cup." Her chin wobbles. "That's what I need from you, okay? Fromallof you."
"Jesus." Theo drags her out of her seat into his arms, hugging the shit out of her. "You should have told us."
"I know," she whispers to him. "I'm sorry."
"We'll bring you the Cup," Wes promises somberly, stealing her from Theo to hug her hard. "But you have to come back to work. Because honestly, Kelsey, I don't fucking know how this team is supposed to function without you threatening to murder us every day. It's basically the only incentive we have to act civilized."
Kelsey laughs through tears, making half the guys smile.
"I don't know what the fuck he's talking about," Jonas complains, scooping her up off her feet in a hug. "I always behave."
