Page 123 of Hot Puck
“Once I figured out the girls were safe, we were safe, I jumped out of bed because they have to be planning something if they’re all here.”
“Like what? Buying another franchise?” I laugh. But the sound fades when Gem doesn’t join in.
“You shouldn’t joke about that kind of thing.”
“Oh.”
“Yep. The plan was always, build a successful NHL team then look to start or purchase a PWHL team.”
“The women’s national league?”
“Yes.”
“You want to own a team in both leagues?”
“Sure.” Gem shrugs as she grabs a band and slips it over her hand to stretch it. “Why not?”
“I...” I snap my mouth shut.
“Don’t worry, I don’t think that’s why they’re here. Besides.” her gaze connects with mine in the mirror. “I plan to resign as GM in a few months.”
“You what? You can’t. What would you?—”
“I’m handing it over to Mason Watts.”
I shake my head. I couldn’t have heard her right. “Mason?”
“Yes. We talked, well joked about it really, just after we won the Cup.” She twists her hair up into a tail and feeds it through the band on her hand. “I think he’s the perfect choice to carry the torch from here.”
“What will you do?”
“Have a baby. Spend time with my husband.” Turning to face me, she leans back on the counter. “I realized something today.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. I’ve never told you I love you.”
My heart bangs against my ribcage. “You’ve shown me.”
“I hope so.” She pushes off the counter and comes toward me. “But I need to say it. I’m not used to saying it. Not sure I’ve said those three words to anyone more than a handful of times in my life.”
“I don’t need them.” And I don’t. I feel her love every day; even when we’re in panic mode over possible danger, Gem shows me she loves me. “Feeling your love, seeing it in the things you do for me and the girls is more than enough.”
“Maybe. But you deserve to hear the words from my lips, and I want to say them. To you.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I keep my gaze on hers. “I always think there’s no way I can love you more and then you do something, and I fall a little deeper. I’m so deep I don’t see myself ever finding my way out.”
“Are you mad about that?” She smiles up at me.
“No. The question is, are you mad about it? Because there’s not enough money in the world to buy my signature on divorce papers.”
“Good. Because I don’t ever want your signature on divorce papers.”
“Only Rogues’ contract papers.” I grin.
“Oh, I definitely want it on those.”
“I love you, Natalie Hawkins.”
