Page 113 of Your Second Chance
I smiled and grabbed his shoulder. “That sounds like a good idea.”
We walked together in silence out of the office. I’d miss this place, but if I thought about it too much, I’d dwell on it.
“I couldn’t do it,” Will stated as we walked down the steps together.
“Do what?”
“Move to America. Leave everything—my home, my job, my friends.” I stopped and stared at him. “You’re a better man than me.”
I furrowed my brows and shook my head. “No. There was never a question for me. I’d do anything for her. If Nova asked me to lay down an entire street, I’d do it. She’s it for me.” I glanced around us, then back at Will, my voice softening. “There’s no one else in the world who even comes close. She’s everything—kind, thoughtful, breathtakingly brilliant, and fiercely loyal. She’s not just the one for me—she’s my every reason, my every choice.”
A long pause passed between us. “You’re lucky you found that person.”
I nodded. “I am.”
“Guess this is it,” he said, his voice quiet.
“Yeah . . . I guess so.”
The silence stretched out, heavy and full of memories. Finally, I stepped forward and pulled him into a hug, the kind that said all the things I couldn’t find the words for. Will had been my first friend here, the person who’d taken me under his wing when I was a wide-eyed rookie trying to find my footing.He wasn’t a mentor—he was the kind of man I’d quietly hoped to emulate.
“Thank you,” I murmured as I stepped back, my hands still resting on his shoulders. “For being the best example of what a coach should be... and for being there when I needed it most. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
Will gave me a tight smile. “Don’t be a stranger, mate. Call me if you need anything, yeah? I’ve already got my alerts on for your team in Chicago. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow, the weight of the moment too much to push aside. “I’ll hold you to that.”
We stood there for a moment longer, neither of us wanting to move, both knowing we had to. With one last pat on the back, we turned away from each other, heading in opposite directions—me toward my car, him toward the life he was piecing back together.
My chest felt heavier with each step, knowing this chapter of my life was truly closing and a new one was beginning... in four to twelve weeks.
“We’ll stay here.” Nova was standing in the middle of Scarlette’s room as Scarlette decided which dolls she was going to move with her.
I shook my head. “The movers are coming tomorrow. It’s okay. It’ll only be temporary.”
“Where will you stay?” Nova asked as she walked toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her jumper pulled a little, letting the soft brush of her warm golden skin press against me.
“I’ll stay in the countryside with Mum. She has everything ready. We’ll still let the short-term renters move in, and the house will be taken care of.” I looked down at Scarlette, her wild curls bouncing as she fussed with the dolls on the floor. “Plus, you’ve got to get Ms. Scarlette back before her school’s winter performance.”
Nova nodded. “We timed it just right. Starting in the new term after break feels better anyway. Gives her time to settle in.” She glanced toward the window. “Moving in November was the right call, even if it was mostly for Luna and Dirks.”
“Are we going to move to our new home, Mum?” Scarlette asked, glancing up from the floor.
“Yes, baby. We will.”
Nova bent down to press a kiss to her hair, then straightened. “You go ahead and keep looking at which doll you want the most. Let me talk to Ollie outside, okay?”
“Okay, Mum.”
Once she closed the door behind us, she turned to me with wide eyes. “Are you sure? This is a huge commitment.”
I smirked. “Don’t miss me too much, love.”
“What?” she whisper-yelled. “I’ll miss you every day.”
“You’ll be busy with work.”
She shook her head with a soft smile. “I don’t technically start until next season in my full-time role. This year, I’m closing things out with Iris, being her second-in-command until she officially retires.”
