Page 37 of Much Ado About Hockey

She thought back to the way he had gently suggested she stay home, the way he had made it sound like a choice—not a command, not an expectation. Maybe he hadn’t been trying to clip her wings. Maybe he’d been trying to open a door she didn’t even know she needed. A door that led into his world. His chaotic, loud, passionate world of locker room banter and icy arenas and the strange, fiercely loyal brotherhood that came with it.

It wasn’t about “the man holding down his little woman.” She scoffed at the idea now, the thought of it almost laughable in the face of what she was beginning to see. He didn’t want her to prove anything. Not to him. Not to anyone. He just wanted her to feel like she belonged—like she was wanted there, just as she was. He was giving her space to breathe, to choose, to become, and to be. And with that gift came the freedom to step closer, to share in his passions, to join in the laughter, to find herplace among the nicknames and the inside jokes of his team. His family.

She had been dragging her feet, scared of being overlooked. Scared of being irrelevant. But no more. Not anymore.

Resolve settled deep in her bones, steady and sure. She was done waiting on the sidelines of her own life. Tonight, she would sit down and watch the game—not just out of obligation, but with genuine effort. She’d let herself get swept up in it, even if just a little. Hours later, as she watched the game, she texted him almost as a running commentary.

I can’t even see the puck on the ice!

Why did you have to go to the penalty box?

What’s a hat trick?

OH MY GOSH – THAT DUDE HIT YOU!

OH MY GOSH – YOU HIT HIM BACK?!

Holy-canape-on-a-cracker… y’all are fighting, like full-on fist-fighting?

They just showed your face, and you’re bleeding! XOXO

You look angry.

Hahahaha – I just saw you making faces and skating backward, dancing. Oh gosh, that is great! You actually shook your butt on the screen? LOL

WE WON!

Oh my gosh, this is addictive!

Karen was sitting on the old, worn-out couch, cuddled in a blanket because she could smell his cologne, and it made her feel closer to him as she watched the game. While they weren’t together, it felt like she was almost there, almost a part of his life, and that they were taking strides forward, giving this a chance.

Instead of getting up and going into that empty bedroom, she simply turned and lay down on the couch, pulling the blanket over her, and turned off the television. Snuggling down, she let out a sigh of contentment. This all felt like a brand-new start, and she couldn’t wait to see what came next… only to hear her phone beep.

Nutella, I’m speechless.

I love that you watched the game and your texts. You’ve blown my mind this evening in the best way possible. Can I call you later? I know it’s late, but I’ve still gotta get a shower and find my hotel room.

Call me when you get settled.

I will. XOXO

LOL - XOXO

Closing her eyes, Karen relaxed, letting her mind wander to what it would be like to be a part of his world. What would it be like to have him trying to be playful and romantic, and having it directed at her? Getting to know him a little bit more over the last few weeks, she saw so many expressions and facets to his personality, giving her an inkling of what a real relationship could be like between them… or at least those memories of what he’d been like before it dried up. She really had done a numberon them, pushing him away, and knew how lucky she was to have this chance. She had almost drifted off to sleep when her cell phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Is it too late to call?” Jett’s voice began. “I’m sorry, I just got to my room, and one of the guys was making a scene down the hallway that really got under my skin. Sheesh…”

“Oh?” she asked, perking up.

“Yeah, they were all over each other – and well, it wasshameful.”

The idea of Jett, who had little filter when it came to expressing himself, deeming something was ‘shameful’ seemed so funny to her. She began to laugh, and he joined in – and before long, the two of them were laughing together like they’d shared some epic joke.

“Shameful, huh?”

“The heat was coming off of Larsson and his wife in waves…”

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