Backcheck Heart: An L.A. Crush Hockey Novella (Nashvellas & Novels)

Chapter 22

“Areyou sure you’re ready for this? We can wait until Christmas,” I say when Ralphie pulls up to my family home, knowing full well that if Mom has off Thanksgiving, she won’t get Christmas.

“I face off against two-hundred-pound men every day, Zlatí?ko. I think I can handle dinner with your parents.”

“You underestimate how protective my dad and brother can be.”

“Anyone who loves and cares for you is an ally in my book.”

Heaving out a sigh, I wait for Ralphie to let me out of the car. It’s only been one week since he passed the concussion protocol, but he insisted we join my family for Thanksgiving. He even got tickets for my dad and brother to go with me to tomorrow’s game against Houston.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. After the hospital released him, the team doctors ran several tests on him before allowing him to set foot back in the stadium, let alone on the ice. On top of that, he had to meet with his attorney to finalize severing ties with Andre.

More negative stories came out about us before we sent a cease and desist letter to all parties involved. That shut everyone up for the time being, including those mystery articles claiming to be lovers from our pasts.

I did read one interesting article about a washed-up sports agent begging his final client to stick with him at a swanky downtown restaurant. I made sure to forward it to Andre and remind him people don’t like ‘attention-seeking’ behavior. Was it petty? Yes. Satisfying? Incredibly.

While Ralphie recovered, I took vacation days I had banked with the airlines and worked as few shifts at the clubs as I could get away with. Ralphie insisted he needed me there to take care of him, but he did more caring for me than the other way around. I would have called him out on using his injury as an excuse to get me to stay with him, but I loved it as much as he did.

After my showdown with Madison, things were icy at first. The distance has helped. I haven’t been home more than a few hours at a time in the last week. I woke up to a text from her on Tuesday apologizing for her behavior. She and her boyfriend were on the outs, and she took her emotions out on me, jealous that I was happy. Things have calmed down between them, and she and I are mostly back to normal.

I would have loved more time holed up with my man, but I cherish holidays with my family, especially now that my brother lives fifteen hundred miles away. Rob is back in California for Thanksgiving, but when Carina’s Christmas break hits, he’ll spend the time with her in Memphis. The season may have recently ended, but spring training will be here before we know it.

Carrying the casserole and pie I made for the meal, Ralphie trails behind me with his contribution of wine and beer. I explained that he didn’t need to bring anything, but he brushed me off.

“Are you sure you aren’t nervous?” I ask before opening the door to my parents’ house.

“Not at all. The way I see it, meeting your parents is the last obstacle in finally convincing you to move in with me.”

“I am not moving in with you,” I reiterate for the one-hundredth time.

“We’ll see.”