Page 85 of Your Sharpest Edge
A slow smirk spread across her face. “Very.”
Then I kissed her, and everything felt whole and complete.
31
stassi
I could do this. I would walk into the stadium, take a deep breath, and manage to walk out with Damien. It was just a place, a place that didn’t hold the memories of what happened in my past because it was a building.
“Deep breaths,” I told myself as I looked at the oversized dark brown brick building in front of me.
I was standing in front of the Chicago Ravens practice rink, and all I wanted to do was run in the other direction.
Evidently, according to the twenty-two texts and fifteen photos that Alex had sent me, Damien was feeling tremendously better, and the two of them had quite an adventure in the apartment, playing with toys, watching movies, and baking cookies.
I pulled up my phone and looked at the last photo, a picture of Damien sitting on top of the boards at the ice rink with a caption that said “Thanks for the best day ever—a direct quote from Damien.”
I closed my eyes, fending off the threatening tears.
I could do this.
My knees ached right at the joints, and I grabbed onto the wall for support and to make sure I didn’t fall. I closed my eyes yet again.
He didn’t get to take my happiness.
I thought of all the experiences I missed in my life because of Dimitri. He took away my choice, he took away my sexual freedom, he took away the voice I wanted to have—not that I deserved to have.
He didn’t take away my family.
The building cried for me, begging me to come in, but everything inside it reminded me of Alex, of my past life, of what could have been if I had stayed with Dimitri.
I took two deep breaths before pushing open the glass door, and cool air greeted me, accompanied by that familiar scent of stinky feet that seemed to linger in most ice rinks.
I didn’t care because it smelled like home.
I walked past the waiting area, which led to the rink, and spotted Damien playing in the stands with Dirks and the tall captain I recognized.
“Hi, Mommy,” he shouted when he saw me.
“How are you feeling, baby?” I lifted him up into a hug and felt his cool forehead.
Even though I’d forgotten to tell him, Alex had put him in a hat, scarf, and jacket while inside the rink.
“I had the best day ever. I never want to go to camp. I want to spend all day with Alex.”
I kissed his cheek. “He is pretty awesome, huh?”
Damien nodded.
Dirks walked over and gave me a hug.
“Thanks for watching him,” I told him.
“My pleasure.” Dirks looked over at Alex, and I followed his gaze. “He asked if you would stay for a bit. He’s trying to wrap up.”
“Oh, yeah. sure.” He probably wanted to return my house keys I’d left for him.
“Can I take the little man out to the equipment room to see some of the cool hockey sticks?”
