Page 114 of Hockey Boy
Gavin: On it.
Me: Thanks.
Beckett: Is this what I think it is?
Brooks: Holy shit, Sara’s gonna lose her mind.
Gavin: It’s about damn time.
I sigh as I read my brothers’ messages. They couldn’t be more right. It is about damn time.
THE HOCKEY REPORT
“Good Morning, Boston. I’m Colton, and this is my co-host Eliza. We’re here to bring you the Hockey Report.”
“After two away games, our boys will finally play on home ice for the first time this season,” Eliza says.
“Despite the rough way game one started,” Colton chimes in, “with the fight between Vincent Lukov and Aiden Langfield, the guys have had a great start.”
“Yes,” Eliza agrees. “Lukov is still out due to his injuries. We’re fortunate that he was the one to take the first swing. Otherwise, our star center would have likely been suspended for a few games.”
“The new D-line is incredible. Parker and Jorgenson play together like they’ve been doing it for years. I was worried there’d be hiccups after McGreevey’s retirement, but so far, the two have great chemistry. Let’s see if they can keep it up tonight against Denver.”
“Yes, tonight’s game will include a ceremony to celebrate last year’s Stanley Cup win, so I imagine McGreevey will be in attendance. I’m sure the guys will appreciate seeing him there.”
“Yes, the puck drops at seven thirty, so make sure you tune in. We’ll be back tomorrow to recap what will likely be another exciting night on the ice.”
Go into this with an open heart. I promise I’m doing this with only the best of intentions. You’re floundering and missing out on life because you’re too scared to go after what you want. I hope you take this as the push you need rather than as another excuse to hide. Pick someone you could love. Maybe someone you already do. A person you can laugh with. Who enjoys the same things you do. A man you care about. One whose loss would be palpable if you didn’t take the leap with him. Stop surviving and start living.
I foldthe letter up again. I’m still not ready to finish it. I’ve been savoring her every word. Sometimes the brutal honesty is painful. And there are times I despise the control she’s wielding—something she never did while alive. But I savor every sweep of the pen because it’s the only thing I have left of her. I’ve spent months reading it slowly. Knowing there are only two more paragraphs makes my stomach roil with unease. I’m not ready to let her go.
I slide the paper back into my jewelry box, grab my purse, and head for the door. It’s odd how the words feel like they were written for the game Aiden and I are playing.
Nervous anticipation skitters through me as I head to the arena, and it stays with me as I wave and smile at each person I recognize in the concourse. I’m wearing Aiden’s jersey as requested—the question is, what does my Hockey Boy have planned for me?
Sara jogs up to me as I head toward the suite. Threading her arm with mine, she gives me a tug. “The boys are about to start warm-ups. Wanna ogle them with me?” She waggles her brows and breaks into a bright smile.
I point at her, giddy, because it hits me now that my senses are back. “Oh, you just got naughty in the supply closet.”
Sara’s jaw falls slack. “Bitch.”
“A BJ too. Way to go, Brookie.”
She snorts. “Unreal.” She narrows her eyes, scrutinizing me. This time I’m the one making my brows dance. “Dammit,” she huffs. “I’m not getting a read on you.”
“Because I’m not a slooty sloot who gets sloppy in the closet.”
With a shake of her head, she turns toward the ice. “Whatever.”
Music blasts through the speakers, then the guys are skating out one by one. Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” is playing, which is…odd.This was our song in high school, and it’s about the last song I would expect hockey players to warm up to before a game.
Also, their warm-up routine looks completely different. Like they’re moving in a synchronized way. Like it’s choreographed. Like its…planned.
“What is happening?” I whisper as Aiden skates closer. He doesn’t have his helmet on, and he’s wearing a big smile.
Gavin opens the gate to the box and waves us in. “Need your help with something, Lennox.”
When I don’t move, Sara pushes me forward.