Page 143 of For the Boys
“Sure, B. Whatever you need. Now can we get some work done? I love you, but I didn’t come over here to talk about your feelings and failed relationship.”
“Excuse me, young lady. It’s not failed.”Yet.
“Work, B,” she said, gesturing to the island, littered with cloth samples, design sketches, and sales numbers spread out before them.
“By all means,” he said, and she immediately launched into a monologue, detailing her plans for their social media reach and the fall line.
Even though it was May, it was never too early to start planning their next release.
As his sister chattered on, his mind went elsewhere.
Four days, he thought.Four days until I get my girl back.
When he and Mackenzie wrapped up shop talk, Brent texted Lexie.
Brent: What’s Berkley’s favorite flower?
Lexie: About time. I was afraid you were giving up on her for real.
Brent: Never. How is she?
Brent had been giving her space and hadn’t contacted her since the drunk voicemail. He was hopeful that, despite his poor delivery, she would realize how badly she missed him, how much she loved him, and call him. The last thing he wanted to do was risk pushing her further away.
Lexie: She’s Berkley. Busy getting ready for graduation. Refuses to admit how miserable she is without you.
Brent smiled sadly.That makes two of us, baby, he thought.
Brent: I have a plan.
Lexie: Peonies. Her favorite flowers are peonies.
Brent: Got it.
Lexie: I don’t know what you’re planning, but keep it lowkey. We all know you love to go big, but that’s not going to work here. Berk is the best of us, Brent. She’s the most loyal friend I’ve ever had, incredibly kind, and will go to bat for those she loves in a heartbeat.
Lexie: She’s been through a lot of bullshit where guys are concerned, and it left her pretty jaded for a while. She’s come up with so many excuses for why she shouldn’t be with you. As her friend, I’m so glad she gave you a chance, because for the most part you’ve made her so happy. But I worry her independence, which I know was a big motivator in her breaking up with you, has become a crutch for her, something to fall back on when she’s afraid she’s getting too close to someone. I’m afraid she’s sabotaging your relationship to save herself.
Lexie: You’ve broken down some of her walls, but not all of them. Show her why she’s safe with you. Let her know you aren’t going to force her to be dependent on you. Make sure you know she’s her own person, who can take care of herself, and that you’re there to complement her and cheer her on. Otherwise, she’ll run. Let her come to you. Be willing to compromise. I’m rooting for you.
Compromise.
It was one thing he had never done well, one thing he’d never really had to do at all. Having always been with women who did the compromising for him, it wasn’t a concept Brent was overly familiar with. In theory, sure. But in practice? Hardly. Even when it came to his playing career, Brent had been lucky enough to end up with top-tier programs. Lured by the history behind Michigan State’s hockey program, and the university as a whole, it had been his first choice of college. Plus, it was where his father had attended law school. Brent hadn’t had a first-choice professional team. He genuinely would have been happy anywhere as long as he was playing, but landing in Detroit had been the greatest blessing of his life. He loved the city, the fan base, the franchise.
Most importantly, playing for the Warriors had brought him to Berkley.
For her, he would do a lot of things and give up even more.
If it meant getting her back and keeping her by his side, as his partner, forever, he would do anything.
For Berkley Daniels, he would learn to compromise.
Those four days came and went in a flash, Brent forcing his focus to remain entirely on hockey.
It was strange for him. For the first time in his life, hockey no longer felt like a top priority, but until things with Berkley were sorted, until he had her wrapped in his arms again, he gave it all he had. His teammates and their fans deserved it.
So when they played their first game in the second round of the playoffs against the Winnipeg Mariners, Brent was all in. He gave every shift his undivided attention, calling on years of experience to force his focus single-mindedly on the task at hand.
He scored two goals and notched another assist, helping the Warriors win.
