Page 77 of Comeback
Sure, we’re an odd group, but we feel like family. It doesn’t hurt that Jack’s house is a lake paradise, and there’s always something to do—whether it’s relaxing on the beach, fishing off the dock, going for a swim, or taking the yacht out for a cruise around the lake. At night, everyone has a couple drinks, and Jack and his teammates regale everyone with stories from their hockey days together.
Truth is, Jack seems so much happier and open with so many people around. And finally making amends with his teammates obviously helped, too. It’s so refreshing to see Jack come out of his shell.
Even better? Dane and Reavo don’t mind serving as emergency babysitting duty when Jack and I need some alone time.
Andwith two more strong men around the house, I feel alotsafer at night.
But I won’t lie. Trevor’s attack messed me up. I’m still feeling a little skittish and uneasy. A trauma like that isn’t something you can just switch off and forget. I had my first therapy session yesterday—something Jack has been insisting I get ever since, because he wants me to be able to talk to somebody. After weeks of relenting, I finally agreed.
I’m ashamed to say this, but Jack and I haven’t even been intimate yet. Of course, he’s been great about it. He understands. He says it’ll take time until I’m comfortable again, and he’s fine with that. He says we have all the time in the world.
I’m so lucky I met him … in so many ways. But I really don’t want to make him wait any longer.
***
The kitchen was a scene of organized chaos as dinner came together. Nicole, Jeff, and I worked together to prep a giant salad that we tossed in an enormous wooden bowl. Reavo got Mackenzie to help him set the picnic table in Jack’s backyard, where we liked to eat on perfect evenings like this one. Out on his balcony, Jack lifted the lid of his smoker and a plume of hickory smoke rose to reveal a mouthwatering brisket.
Dane, elbow deep in a soapy sink full of dirty dishes, sniffed at the air that wafted through the open window. “Man,that brisket smells good. I tell ya, Emma, Hath’s always made some killer barbecue. He used to invite the whole team over to his house and just feed everyone—the boys, their girls, everyone. I’ve missed those days, man.”
“We’ll start a new tradition, then,” I said, eager and excited to be part of the Dallas Devils life.
Soon, the seven of us gathered at the picnic table and ate dinner like a family. The air was perfect, the breeze gentle, the lush grass springy between my bare toes.Thiswas what a Bayfield summer was supposed to be like—clear skies and blue water as far as the eye could see, and nothing to do but kick back and relax under the sun, with the silky lake breeze in your hair.
As usual, Mack was the first to finish eating and immediately began lobbying for her reward for clearing her plate. Jack had promised that he’d take everyone out on his boat for a little evening fishing before the sun went down.
“Alright, sweetheart,” Jack said with a laugh. “We’ll go after everyone else is finished eating, too, okay?”
He was so good with her. Every day we spent with Jack helped to erase my doubts and fears about moving to Dallas to be with him. He was so patient, so understanding and kind. No, he didn’t always know the right thing to say or the right way to handle Mack—sometimes he made mistakes! But he paid attention to what worked and what didn’t. He had a mind for parenting. I could tell that hewantedto learn and improve. I was sure those attributes were what made him a good hockey player—the desire to learn from mistakes and get better.
Soon, everyone else finished their plates and Mack got her wish. Jack took us to his yacht and we spent the evening cruising around the lake. Jack and the boys fished off the stern of the boat with Mack. Nicole and I drank wine spritzers and soaked up the last of the sun. We wore our bikinis and laid across the bow of Jack’s yacht … like truly fancy rich people. Or something. (What can I say? It still feels a little weird living in all this luxury.)
We laid out in the sun until it began its descent down the horizon, bathing our bodies in those lovely golden evening beams.
“Hey, Nicky?” I asked.
“What’s up, Ems?”
“Would you mind watching Mack for me tonight?”
“Sure.” She flipped her sunglasses up so I wouldn’t miss the wily sparkle in her eyes. “As long as you tell me what you’re planning.”
“Oh, nothing,” I lied. “Just a little alone time with Jack.”
Ever since Jack rescued the three of us? She was no longer one of RollerBlade Guy’s detractors—she was an unapologetic Jack Hathaway super-fan. And while Jack urged me to be patient, Nicole always urged me to do whatever I had to do to makesureI never let this one get away.
“Get it,girl,” Nicole said, giving me a playful shove. “Remember, he’s an athlete, so he’s probably slept with tons of girls. So you gotta be the best he’s ever had. Pull out every trick in the book, okay? Rock his fuckingworld.”
“Great.” I laughed nervously. “No pressure or anything …”
“Nah.” She waved her hand at me. “You’ll do fine, Ems. You’re a total babe,and he loves you.”
With a smile, I climbed to my feet and made my way to the back of the boat. Jack was still fishing with everyone else. I snuck behind him and wrapped my arms around his torso.
“The sun’s going to set soon,” I whispered in his ear. “We should take everyone back to the house.”
He turned to peek at me, a smile in his eye. “But then we’ll miss the sunset.”
“They can watch it from the dock,” I said quietly. “I wanna watch it alone. With you.”
