Easy: A Chicago Blaze Hockey Romance by Rothert Brenda

Author:Rothert, Brenda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silver Sky Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Easy

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” I high five Richie, a rec league player who just scored his first goal. I’ve been working with him on his stick-handling skills and seeing that, I feel like a proud coach.

I can see his wide grin through the face mask protecting his head, and hear his parents cheering in the stands. This is only an instructional session, so the games are only scrimmages where players on our team play against each other, but I’m having the time of my life coaching.

Usually, I’m the one playing against or watching some of the best hockey players in the world, one hundred percent at the top of their games. But coaching these kids at the rec center takes me back to a time when hockey was more than about performing or winning championships. It was simply fun. Watching the kids enjoy themselves as they play and learn new skills reminds me how much I love the game myself.

My eyes are on the kids, but my mind lingers on last night, my night with Allie. Even though I barely slept, I’m not tired. I’d spend tonight the exact same way if I could. I thanked Anton and Mia profusely this morning before they went to crash for a couple hours before leaving town. They gave me more of a gift for my birthday than they realize.

Being with Allie again only highlighted how much I’ve been missing in my life. I went through the motions of sex with other women—enjoyed it, even—but none of them were like her. Allie’s the only woman I’ve ever loved through and through, despite our horrendous breakup all those years ago.

I don’t think we ever fell out of love. We’ve just spent the last ten years apart, simply surviving without one another. Knowing Allie feels the same way I do, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to leave here without her in a couple weeks.

If she’d come back to Chicago with me, I could give Allie and the kids everything. Amazing schools, a nice home, another youth hockey program for Hazel—all I’ve thought about are the possibilities since Allie and I said our goodbyes early this morning.

I can imagine the four of them sitting in the family VIP box at my games, or even in the stands if they wanted to experience that energy.

Before coming back to Greentree Falls, I would’ve said I wasn’t ready for a family yet. I would’ve had reasons that made sense to back it up, too—I travel a lot and focus all my energy on hockey. But if it’s Allie, Max, Hazel and Vi, that would change everything.

I want to take care of them. All of them. I want Allie to be able to quit her job at Fox Foods and pursue a career she loves. I want the kids to know what a family feels like. I may not know them well, but they’re a part of Allie—the biggest part—and I want to be there for them.

“Yo, E,” Cade calls out to me.

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