Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Three Months Later
“Come on.” I stood, barely catching the bowl of popcorn before it fell from my lap and onto the floor. “Come on!” I called again, louder this time, pushing all my encouragement through the screen and onto the ice.
Bacon and Biscuit sniffed around, eating the kernels I hadn’t been able to save. I didn’t even try to stop them, I was so engrossed in the game.
“Let’s go, boys!” Georgia cheered, and Kylie clapped, the three of us riveted to the screen while we watched the second period of the game.
The Hawks were playing one heck of a game against Dallas, especially Frasier. He might be a sweetheart off the ice, but he was intimidating as hell between the pipes. He had to be. He was one of the best goalies in the league. And he guarded that net like a mother bear protecting her cubs.
He’d kept out twenty shots on goal over the past two periods, and several of them had seemed like impossible saves. He was on fire tonight, and I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. The commentators had said as much, and so had Logan when she’d last texted.
Kovi stole the puck and headed for the net, passing it to Gabe, who passed it to Holden.
Holden made the shot, threading the needle with the puck, through the legs of one of the other players and right over the top of the shoulder of the opposing team’s goalie.
It was a beautiful play, and the crowd went wild.
Dallas won the next face-off. They were good, but our guys were dominating. When it was time for the second intermission, we were in the lead by one. Logan texted us in the group chat.
Georgia, Kylie, and I refilled our drinks and snacks, talking about some of the highlights until play resumed.
Allie texted me about the game. We’d texted or talked on the phone almost daily since I’d returned from Anguilla, and I felt closer to her than ever.
I was really looking forward to visiting her in Boston.
As soon as the teams skated onto the ice for the third period, you could feel a shift in the energy. Both teams wanted to win. Allie might have texted again, but she’d have to wait for a response because my focus was on the game.
The third period was intense. There were a few times that I’d thought Dallas would score, but the Hawks had a strong defensive line. And anytime Dallas was able to make it into the crease, Frasier kept them from scoring.
With two minutes left in the game, one of the Dallas players sent the puck toward the crease. I held my breath, releasing it with a smile when Frasier caught it in his glove. The buzzer rang, announcing the end of the game. The score was one-nothing; the Hawks had won.
Georgia, Kylie, and I jumped around, the dogs barking and joining into our celebrations.
“Jesus.” Georgia laughed. “That was a good game.”
“The team is on fire this season!” Kylie said.
“No joke.” Georgia grabbed the popcorn and started carrying things to the kitchen.
We weren’t that far into the regular season, but if the Hawks kept this up, they’d have a real shot at the play-offs this year.
Part of me wished Derek were here to see it.
He would’ve gotten a kick out of playing with Holden Hansley.
And I would’ve loved to have heard what he had to say about Carson.
Kovi was cocky and mouthy, but the fans loved him. And our rivals loved to hate him.
Frasier and I were still flying under the radar, though Kylie had convinced me to post a few images of us.
It wasn’t clear that it was Frasier in the pictures with me, just close-ups of our hands linked on my thigh.
Another with two breakfast dishes and a simple caption.
So far, most of the comments had been positive.
People speculated that Frasier and I were together. Our close friends and family knew the truth, including Derek’s parents, who had been sweet and supportive. But it was as if they’d all formed a protective bubble around us. I loved them all the more for it.
I followed Georgia to the kitchen, where she bustled around, wiping down the counters. “Thanks, but you don’t have to clean up.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “I’m happy to.”
My phone chimed with a new text from Logan—a picture of Frasier as he shook hands with one of the Dallas players.
Logan’s season wouldn’t start for another month or so, so she’d gone to Dallas to watch the game and visit her brother, Levi.
We’d missed her tonight, but we’d texted in our group chat the entire game.
She’d been rooting for Dallas—her brother’s team—of course.
And it had been an aggressive game from start to finish.
Kylie called out from the living room, “Bryn, your man is being interviewed.”
I raced into the living room, eager to see Frasier.
I had been missing him like crazy since the season had started.
We made every minute count, but between his training and my work schedule, we hadn’t gotten to spend nearly enough time together.
During the week, I had work. When I was off on the weekends, he often had games.
I had yet to attend any home games—I didn’t want to draw attention to myself or the fact that we were dating. And this was his first away game.
On-screen, the reporter asked him some questions, and Frasier slicked back his hair, sweaty from the game.
He was still dressed in his pads, and I knew he was probably more than ready to shower.
But he spoke eloquently, praising his teammates for their defensive and offensive maneuvers while also commending the Dallas team for their competitive level of play.
My chest swelled. I was so proud of him for the way he’d played this past season, the fire he’d brought to the ice. It was a testament to his mental strength, to his resilience. But then the interview ended, and I was left feeling his absence again.
“Oh boy,” Georgia said, shaking her head. “You’ve got it bad, huh?”
I’d been so convinced that it wouldn’t be possible to feel this way again. That I wouldn’t love again. And here I was, staring at an image of the man who’d changed my mind, feeling both excitement and trepidation.
Frasier supported me unconditionally, not that he’d ever said those words. Not that he needed to. It was in his actions, in everything he did.
Kylie smiled, and Georgia pulled me in for a hug. I didn’t have to say anything because they knew. They’d been there for all of it, and they saw how happy I was with Frasier.
“Don’t let anyone else see you looking at him like that, or there will be no more keeping this secret.” Georgia was grinning as she said it.
“Everyone already suspects that you’re dating,” Kylie said, though that was no surprise.
People had speculated on our relationship ever since Derek’s death because of all the time we spent together.
“And they’re excited for you. Most of the comments fielded by my team have been supportive.
People want to believe in finding love after loss, and you’re proving it’s possible. ”
That was a relief. And even if she hadn’t said the words aloud, I heard the subtle push: it’s time.
I knew Frasier was ready to go public; he’d been ready. He’d been nothing but patient—letting me dictate the timing. And yet…I continued to hesitate.
Biscuit scratched at the back door. I’d never been so eager to let the dogs out.
“Come on,” I said, opening the door for her and slipping into my garden shoes.
“I need to water the garden.” And then to my friends, I added, “Do either of you want to take home some tomatoes and basil? They’re growing like crazy. ”
I was talking a million miles a minute, but I couldn’t help it. I knew Kylie was right, but I was scared.
“I wish,” Kylie said, quickly masking the disappointment that had overtaken her expression. “And thanks for the offer, but I never have time to cook.”
Biscuit bounded through the door, and Bacon followed, with Georgia last. “I still can’t believe you grew all of this.”
I laughed, taking it all in. “Neither can I.”
But I loved having a garden, especially the fresh produce.
I’d gone down the rabbit hole of social media garden influencers, and I was obsessed.
And my garden was flourishing. I had almost more produce than I knew what to do with.
And there were flowers everywhere. I’d planted a ton of native varieties that attracted pollinators, and butterflies visited almost daily.
The space had transformed from something depressing that I wanted to avoid into my happy place.
It was magical out here, especially at night.
Frasier and I loved hauling out a bunch of blankets and pillows and watching a movie while we cuddled with the dogs.
We might not have much time together, but we certainly made every moment count.
Georgia and I harvested some produce for her to take home. “How do you know when the tomatoes are ready?” she asked.
I explained what to look for, pointing out some that were overripe or underripe.
“So, timing is important,” she said.
“Very.” I narrowed my eyes at her. I could read through the lines, and she wasn’t being all that subtle.
“You might be an expert at harvesting tomatoes—”
“An expert.” I laughed, tossing some of the ripe ones into my basket. “Hardly.”
“Kylie’s an expert too.”
“At harvesting tomatoes?” I asked, intentionally misinterpreting Georgia’s statement.
“Bryn,” Georgia chided.
I blew out a breath. Frasier and I had talked about our relationship and how we wanted to announce it, the potential public response. Despite what Kylie had said about the mostly positive comments, I was still nervous to take that next step. To go from speculation to confirmation.
“Do you have reservations about Frasier or your relationship?” she asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “None.” I took a deep breath. “I’m finally happy again, and I don’t want anything to ruin it.”