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“I’ll see you guys at the wedding, I guess,” I say, readjusting my bag on my shoulder.
My mom’s eyebrows rise. “We’ll be at your graduation, Aidan,” she tells me. “I already made a dinner reservation at that Italian restaurant we ate at before. It wasn’t too terrible, and I couldn’t find any better options.”
“Oh,” I reply, genuinely taken aback. My parents haven’t visited Holt since freshman year. Neither of them mentioned attending my graduation, so I just assumed…they wouldn’t. “Okay, then. I’ll, uh, see you then.”
My mom nods, then steps back.
My dad holds out a hand next. We shake, his expression somber as he claps a second hand around mine. “Most exciting hockey game I’ve ever been to.”
Considering he hasn’t been to many, it’s not the highest of praise. But he’s trying, so I do too.
“Probably never would have started playing if you hadn’t taken me to one. So…thanks, I guess.”
There’s a glimmer of a smile on his face. “You’re welcome, son. Safe travels back to Washington.”
I glance at Jameson, but neither of us says anything. Parker hasn’t spoken a word, and I don’t even look at her. She’s not partof my family, yet. And it’s the best congratulations she could give me, staying silent. Letting me have this moment with my mom and my dad and the guy who’s technically my brother, even if he stopped acting like it a while ago. I’m startled—and relieved—by the emptiness I feel toward Parker. No regret or resentment or anger. She’s just a girl, standing next to Jameson.
My eyes return to my mom. “Can you add one more to the dinner reservation?” I ask her. “I’d like you guys to meet my girlfriend.”
Her eyebrows arch, showing her surprise. That I’m dating someone or that I care about them meeting her, I’m not sure.
She recovers quickly. “Of course.”
I nod. “Great. I really gotta go.”
The rest of the team is long gone. At least that means they didn’t witness this whole awkward reunion with my family, but I’ve caused enough problems today. I don’t need the guys all annoyed I delayed departure. If we miss our flight, or something, I’ll never hear the end of it.
I say goodbye, kinda sorta including Jameson and Parker in it, and then hurry down the hallway and through the double doors that lead into the rear parking lot where the bus parked. I spot it ahead, the profiles of my teammates visible through the tinted windows. Everyone else is already seated. My steps quicken.
I’m halfway across the lot when I hear her voice.
“Aidan!”
I look to the left.
Rylan is running toward me. Sprinting, really, from the direction of one of the few cars parked in the special access lot. A dark-haired woman is standing by the sedan, talking on her phone. Rylan’s mom, I’m guessing.
As soon as she reaches me, Rylan kisses me for the wholeteam to see. Arms around my neck, legs around my waist kind of enthusiasm.
My world narrows down to her. Her smell. The heat of her body as she clings to me. The pride visible on her face as she pulls back to beam at me.
I’m pretty sure I can hear the hollers on the bus from here. Hopefully that means Coach isn’t on board yet, witnessing me make out with his daughter.
“That was an amazing goal,” she says, giving me one more peck before she lets go of me.
I grin. “Thanks. It was thegood luckblowjob you gave me last night.”
She shoves me for that comment. “It wouldn’t have done shit if you got benched today.”
Coach K wouldn’t have done that. And that’s the reason the disappointment he voiced earlier stung so badly. Because he’s a good man—a fair man—and I let him down.
I wince. “How mad is your dad?”
Rylan’s lips press together in a subtle grimace. “Mad. Mostly at me, for not telling him. I talked to him after the game, and I’m sure we’ll have more conversations about my ‘irresponsible behavior’ on this trip. But he’ll get over it. He wants me to be happy. And you—” She smiles. “You make meveryhappy, Aidan Phillips.”
The three words are right there, waiting, on the tip of my tongue.
But I don’t want to tell Rylan I love her for the first time in a parking lot, breathing exhaust fumes.
