Page 39 of Interference
While her intentions were admirable, they are unnecessary.
“Baby, hockey was never the dream,” I admit.
Her head whips toward me. “Wait, what? But you love hockey and you’re so good. I just assumed…”
I nod. “Don’t get me wrong, I planned on entering the draft, but more as a sure-fire way to hang out with the guys. Or at least try to hang out with at least one of them. Hockey has given me a family, and it was a way to keep that. Now though, it doesn’t hold the same appeal.”
“It doesn’t?” She frowns.
I shake my head and pull her into my arms again. “No.”
“Is it because Clay and Beckett are gone?”
I tip my head from side to side as I contemplate her question. “They play a part for sure, but they aren’t the entire reason.”
She bites her lip, and I can tell she wants to say something.
“Spit it out,” I tell her.
She takes a deep breath. “I know you had all these plans with Beckett and Clay, and none of them panned out, but that doesn’t mean you should just walk away from it all. The team depends on you, hell, they need you. I do too. If you just quit now on the team, what’s to say you won’t quit on me later down the line when things get hard?”
“Em—”
She cuts me off. “And okay, I hear you. You don’t want to go to the draft, that’s cool. I accept that, but then why not finish out this season? Enjoy your last few weeks on the ice with the friends that are here while you still can? You’ll never get this time back,Brett, and the last thing I want you to do is regret this choice. I never want you to regret choices you made in the name of our family.”
“I wouldn’t,” I say fiercely.
“You say that now, but who knows how you will feel in five years or maybe ten? I just, I really need you to think about this. For us.”
It’s a low blow that hits me in the gut. Does she really think I would ever regret choosing a life with her and our child? Does she know me at all?
“That’s fucking low, Em,” I growl.
“I know it is, but it’s the truth, and that’s why it hurts,” she whispers.
I stare at her and see the concern all over her face.
She really needs me to do this.
“If I do this, you won’t question my choice to enter the draft?”
“Not if you finish out the season like you’re meant to. On the ice and not on the bench.”
Sighing, I shake my head. “Fine, I’ll talk to Coach and the guys.”
She smiles and leans in, kissing me softly, surprising me. “Thank you. You won’t regret it.”
I want to pull her back in. Kiss her again, but I don’t. I accept the scrap of affection and don’t push for more.
I know I won’t regret my decisions. She doesn’t have to worry. I don’t regret anything where she’s concerned.
I take a deep breath.
Well, it looks like I’m getting back on the ice after all.
ten
Today is the day, and I am not ready for it.
