Page 68 of The Love Penalty
“I was actually talking to Alex earlier and we could use someone with a marketing background to help us get started. I know it’s not something you love, but you do have a degree in it. We might be able to hire you full time as we start out, then find someone else to take over when the new season starts and you return to officiating. You plan to return, right?”
“Of course. But what if I’m not good at sports marketing? I mean, I’d have to start brushing up on things right now.”
“I’m sure you’d be amazing at it. And we might not be able to pay you as much as other people in the field, but it would be a bit more than you’d make at a restaurant.”
“That would keep me here, until at least September,” I say, heart pounding.
Robbie looks at me and gives me a lopsided smile as he says, “Or maybe even longer.”
“This could work well with my master plan of stealing your cats away,” I mumble and see the bright smile on Robbie’s face take shape. “So, do I need to find my own place if I move here?”
“Don’t you dare,” he says, and captures my lips with his, making my head spin. I love him so much I can’t even think straight sometimes. I can’t believe he chose me. I can’t believe he wants me.I can’t believe he loves me.
THIRTY-SIX
Olivia
Six months later
I grabthe last box from the living room and look around the empty house. I have so many good memories here from when my dad was alive. Happy memories of us watching hockey together and him helping me with homework as best as he could. I have sad memories too, of holidays spent alone and lonely nights when all I would do is sit quietly at home and avoid people.
I’ve been renting out the house for the last five months, but when the tenants decided to leave early and I found out Grams fell and broke her hip, I decided it was time to sell. I’m using the money from the sale to get Grams set up in a nice assisted living community in Grand Marquee which is only a 10 minute drive from Robbie’s house. No,our house.
I’ve been living with him since March and I’ve never been happier. The nonprofit youth hockey foundation is taking off wonderfully. Robbie and Alex not only manage the day to daytasks, but they also coach the little kids. When I’m not helping on the marketing side, I’m down on the ice as well helping out.
The NHL offered me a five year contract to referee at the AHL level and I accepted. This is exactly what I hoped out of my career and I am well on the path of making it to the NHL, despite all the setbacks life tried to throw at me. I’m lucky to have a partner who understands my dream and encourages me to pursue it every day. And if it doesn’t work out, I always have the foundation to return to.
While this is Robbie’s project, I couldn’t help but feel included as well from day one. When I’m not traveling for my job, I plan to continue working part time at the foundation. There’s something really magical about seeing the smiles on those kids' faces when they come in for practice.
It reminds me of my early days in the little leagues and how hard my dad tried to make ends meet. I’ve talked to several parents and guardians and most of them are in similar situations, which is why we are planning to host a variety of donation events to help pay for kids’ gear. Thankfully, Robbie’s connections with the team are still strong and they are more than happy to partner up with the foundation and give back to the community.
Robbie comes up behind me and puts an arm around my collarbone, pulling me back into his chest. “Are you ready, love?”
I nod and take one last look at the house. “I’m ready. Let’s go home.”
EPILOGUE
Olivia
Six years later
I’ve only beenon the ice for ten minutes and my legs are already killing me. This is what I get for getting older, I guess. I told Robbie I needed to get on the ice more during the offseason, but he insisted we needed a long vacation somewhere warm. So we spent the last two weeks in the Bahamas, in pure family bliss.
One of the Toronto players takes control of the puck and moves toward the Detroit net. As he gets closer, he passes the puck to another player and takes up a position to screen the goalie. He keeps moving closer to the goalie until he is inside the crease and his stick is blocking the goalie’s glove. When his teammate shoots, the goalie can’t move in time to make the stop. The player screening him falls back and knocks him down into the net.
I blow the whistle and motion that there is no goal. Then I skate up to the box and make sure my microphone is on when I call the penalty. “Toronto, number #22, two minutes for goalie interference. There is no goal.”
A chorus of cheers rings out in the large arena, and I skate back to the goalie. “Eli, are you okay?”
He pulls off his helmet and sprays water on his blond hair. “All good, Olive.” Elias smiles and winks at me.
I turn around and almost collide into Ash as he skates up to check on him as well. “He’s fine, get back in the face-off before I give you a penalty,” I say with a small smile on my face.
“Yes, mom,” Ash replies but does as he’s told. These two are something else.
Detroit won 3-0 this afternoon,and while I have to be impartial on the ice, I have to say that I am damn proud of this team. Elias got called up to the NHL about four years ago when one of the goalies got injured and was out long term. He proved himself by being a hell of an asset to the team so they kept him on. He is now the primary goalie for Detroit. Ash got called up as well a few months after Elias and fluctuated between the NHL and AHL for that entire season. During training camp the following year, he showed more promise and eventually got a contract in the NHL.
As happy as we are for them, we do miss seeing them on a regular basis. Which is why I can’t wait to go out to dinner with them both while in town.
