Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 56134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Being with Allie again only highlighted how much I’ve been missing in my life. I went through the motions of sex with other women—enjoyed it, even—but none of them were like her. Allie’s the only woman I’ve ever loved through and through, despite our horrendous breakup all those years ago.
I don’t think we ever fell out of love. We’ve just spent the last ten years apart, simply surviving without one another. Knowing Allie feels the same way I do, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to leave here without her in a couple weeks.
If she’d come back to Chicago with me, I could give Allie and the kids everything. Amazing schools, a nice home, another youth hockey program for Hazel—all I’ve thought about are the possibilities since Allie and I said our goodbyes early this morning.
I can imagine the four of them sitting in the family VIP box at my games, or even in the stands if they wanted to experience that energy.
Before coming back to Greentree Falls, I would’ve said I wasn’t ready for a family yet. I would’ve had reasons that made sense to back it up, too—I travel a lot and focus all my energy on hockey. But if it’s Allie, Max, Hazel and Vi, that would change everything.
I want to take care of them. All of them. I want Allie to be able to quit her job at Fox Foods and pursue a career she loves. I want the kids to know what a family feels like. I may not know them well, but they’re a part of Allie—the biggest part—and I want to be there for them.
“Yo, E,” Cade calls out to me.
I look over at him and he laughs before skating over to the wall I’m leaning against.
“Did you not see that puck that just flew past your head?” he asks.
I look from side to side, shaking my head.
“Distracted thinking about last night?” he prods.
“Nah. It was fun and all, but you didn’t miss much. Your daughter’s dance recital was more fun than drinking with me would’ve been.”
Cade laughs again. “You’re shit at playing coy.”
“Huh?”
“Allie. I’m talking about the part of the night where you left The Dugout with Allie. Did you guys walk around the block holding hands? Is that why you look so tired?”
My smile gives me away. “Who told you?”
“This is Greentree Falls, man. Word travels fast.”
“Huh.” I call out to the players, “Okay, let’s round up the pucks, guys!”
“Hey.” Cade pokes me in the ribs with his index finger. “Are you and Allie getting back together or something?”
“I don’t know. We didn’t really talk much.”
Cade grins. “Good for her.”
I furrow my brow. “Why just her?”
“You probably have nights like that all the time. Allie doesn’t.”
“I never spend the entire night with women. Other than her, I mean.”
“Really?”
“Nope. I’ve seen teammates be robbed by puck bunnies, especially during away games at the hotels. One guy even got blackmailed; the chick went through his home office after he went to sleep.”
“Wow.”
“This life isn’t usually as glamorous as it sounds. Really, I’d say you’re the lucky one,” I tell him, grabbing my clipboard and skating over to the kids.
“Nice work today, guys,” Cade says, skating up behind me. “I’m seeing a lot more shots go in the net now that we’ve got Coach Zimmerman working with us.”
“Nah, it’s all you guys.” I look at each of the eager young faces circled around us. “Next time we’re gonna play a full game, okay?”
The kids cheer and dance on their skates, two of them sliding onto the ice from their excitement. I laugh at their enthusiasm.
“Hey, did you guys see that sign-up sheet for park cleanup day in the locker room?” I ask the group. “I’m volunteering and I hope to see a bunch of you there. And if you sign up, go stop by the concession stand and tell Marta. I bought slushies for everyone who signs up.”
There’s more cheering, and the kids take off for the locker room.
“Hey, whoa, whoa!” Cade calls out. “Everyone get back here!”
I hear a few groans as the players turn around and skate back to where me and Cade are standing. Cade looks around at the kids and asks, “What do we say to Coach Zimmerman, guys?”
“Thank you!” they call out, nearly in unison.
They skate away again, and Cade and I start putting the pucks into buckets.
“That was nice of you,” he says.
“I’m like that uncle who rolls into town and gets the kids all hyped up on sugar and then leaves.”
Cade pauses and looks over at me. “Are you ready to be more than just a quasi-uncle?”
“What do you mean?”
“Allie.”
“The problem with me and Allie has never been what I’m ready for,” I remind him. “She dumped me, remember?”
“Yeah, but what about now? Did you tell her last night was a one-time thing?”