Page 10 of Stick With Me
I imagine her eyes rolling as silence fills the line. “So, you’re moving there because it’s where we went to college?” she asks skeptically.
“Kinda. It’s the last place things felt… right. The last place I had any semblance of independence. It holds good memories. What better place to start over?”
“What’re you planning to do there? With all your independence?” she teases.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m still trying to work out my plans.”
Admitting that I don’t have it all figured out is hard, but I’m trying to give myself grace. I’m sure once I get some distance and time, I’ll work out a way to move past this and hopefully onto something better.
FOUR
When the planefinally touches down in Florida, I should feel pumped for All-Star Weekend—me and the greats of hockey for a weekend of friendly competition. Ha, who am I kidding? We’re all too competitive forfriendlycompetition. We want the win and the bragging rights that go with it. But instead, my stomach is clenched with nerves at the thought of seeing Hannah.
I try to remember the last time I saw her without Jace hovering like a fly. It’s been over a year, maybe two? Probably since that guys’ trip Jace took over break, when Hannah visited me in Chicago. Every time I’ve seen her since, she’s been on his arm.
Even at her birthday party in September, which I crashed thanks to a tip-off from Natalie—because, of course, Jace didn’t invite me to the surprise party he “planned”—I barely got to say two words to her. Turns out, the whole thing was more about the cameras capturing his life for some docuseries than actually celebrating Hannah.
My heart rate kicks up, like it does every time I think about the way he treated her and how I overlooked it all, thinking I was being a supportive friend.
The humid air slams into me as I exit the airport through automatic sliding doors. Sweat drips down my neck as I head to the car rental line. I already miss the air conditioning, but I won’t go so far as to say I miss the winter chill of Chicago. I shuffle up in the line, trying my best not to get run over by all the people in a mad dash to catch their flights. Wanting to confirm tonight’s plans, I dig out my phone from my pocket and open my messages.
I have two texts waiting for me. One from Beck, my college buddy and fellow NHL player. He’s out in the Metro Division, so we don’t play or see each other often, but I know he’s part of this weekend’s festivities.
Dylan Beck:
Heard you’re here this weekend. A couple of us are getting together tonight, hitting up a bar. You in?
Me:
Sorry, bud. Can’t. See ya tomorrow.
The other message is from my agent. We’ve been playing phone tag for weeks, trying to connect about my upcoming contract extension. He’s been negotiating since the season started, but free agency is looming. The Saints’ general manager keeps promising an offer is on its way, but he says they’re still working on balancing the salary cap.
Mike Greenburg:
Call me. We have to discuss your options.
I know he wants me to consider offers from other teams, but I’m not ready to walk away from the Saints yet.
Me:
Let’s talk when I’m back in town.
Finally pulling up Hannah’s contact, I shoot off a text. Her response, a minute later, has me smiling down at my phone.
Me:
Just landed. I’ll pick you up at 6. Your parents’ place, right?
Hannah:
Yep! Can’t wait.
I get to my rental, a yellow Jeep Wrangler, tossing my duffel into the back seat before settling behind the wheel. Taking advantage of the nice weather, I put the roof down. I connect my phone and press play on my Spotify playlist. The opening riff of “Scar Tissue” by the Chili Peppers reverberates through the truck speakers.
It’s a little over an hour to Hannah’s parents. While I don’t mind the drive, the hockey commitments I have this weekend won’t allow me to go back and forth. My goal is to convince her to come back with me to Sunrise, where the events are taking place. I have a limited amount of time here, so I want to spend as much of it with her as I can.
Did I book a suite hoping to convince her to spend the weekend with me? Yep, I did.
