Chapter Seven #2
“But, I will say, I’m excited to spend some time in our pool.”
“Fancy pants,” Georgie said with a whistle. “Got a pool in your backyard. Did you ever think you’d see the day?”
I chuffed a laugh. “Hardly. I still feel like I’m the same person I was when you and I were living off SpaghettiOs.”
“I still love those things,” Georgie said with a hum. “Don’t judge me, but I have a whole stash at my dorm. It’s the best late-night study snack.”
“Would you advise your patients to eat them?”
“Absolutely not,” he said. “But they don’t need to know my personal business.”
I chuckled. “I miss you.”
“Miss you, too. You still going to come visit for your birthday?”
My stomach soured then. “Nathan thinks we should have a big party here, since it’s the holiday and everything. Great way to get all the staff together before the playoff race really kicks in.”
There was a brief pause on the phone before Georgie cleared his throat. “Well, Nathan certainly knows what’s best for business.”
The phrasing struck me as odd, stiff in a way Georgie rarely was, but I let it go. “Would you want to come here? I know you have your own friends and life there, that school has you tied up… but we have a room here with your name on it.”
“Are you kidding, Ri? I wouldn’t miss it for anything. My big sister is turning forty. I gotta party with you before your back and knees give out.”
I balked, but was fighting off laughter of my own as my brother guffawed. “Oh, you think you’re so funny with the old jokes, huh? Hate to break it to you, kid, but this will be you one day, too.”
“Nah, I’m too beautiful to age.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” I said, still laughing.
“So… how was it seeing Shane again?”
That had my smile melting like snow under a blow dryer. I turned my focus back to unpacking. “What do you mean?”
“What do you mean what do I mean? Was it awkward? Exciting? Did your stomach fill with butterflies?”
I snorted. “Honestly, Georgie. I’m married.”
“Yeah, to such a great guy,” he deadpanned, and before the sting of that could sink in, he sucked his teeth and continued pressing me. “Seriously, have you guys had a chance to talk?”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about,” I said with finality, shelving a book a bit too hard.
“Shane is Shane. He looks pretty much the same. He’s the head coach and I am the wife of the general manager, it’s not like we’re hanging out all the time.
He was a bit surprised to see me, I think, but he’s been pleasant enough since.
Professional. It’s…. I don’t know. It’s nothing to talk about. ”
“Uh-huh,” Georgie said. “And did you tell him you stalked his hockey career for years, or that you still have his Boston College hoodie?”
“Shh,” I snapped. “I do not.”
“I’ve seen it.”
“I got rid of it years ago.”
“I packed it into one of those boxes you’re now going through.”
That had my eyes wide and scanning, wondering which one. I’d have to hide it away before Nathan saw it.
Georgie laughed. “You’re panicking now, aren’t you? It’s the one labeled keepsakes. I was fairly certain your darling husband wouldn’t care to touch that one.”
“You’re a brat.”
“You raised me.”
I softened at that, smiling. “Yeah, I sure did. And I’m damn proud of you.”
“Proud of you too, sis. All right, I gotta go, but I love you. I’ll book flights for your birthday. Take care until then, okay? You’re in a new place. Maybe it could be a new start. You know?”
That question was alluding to everything we’d never speak about out loud. Georgie didn’t know everything about my relationship with Nathan, but I was certain he saw the pattern — the same one he’d witnessed with our mother before she passed.
He worried about me, even if he didn’t have any proof or reason to.
He could tell just because he knew me better than anyone.
“I love you, too,” I answered.
“Go to the beach,” my little brother ordered, and then the call ended, and I was alone with the boxes once more.
When The Fray began to play, I swore I could smell that hoodie he’d teased me about.
The front door opened an hour later, the faint jingle of keys landing in the ceramic bowl by the entryway. I froze mid-movement, book in hand, pulse ticking in my throat.
Shit.
I’d meant to switch to unpacking the kitchen before he got home, but time had gotten away from me. I’d been lost in my thoughts, in the music, in the faint joy each book I unpacked brought me.
I was going to pay for it now.
“Smells like a hard day’s work,” Nathan called, his voice bright and booming.
I forced a smile before I turned. “Hey, you’re home early.”
He strode in still in his suit, jacket open, tie loosened. His grin was wide, almost boyish, as he crossed the room and caught my face in both hands, kissing me soundly before I could react.
“Big day,” he said against my lips, breath hot with adrenaline. “You’re looking at the man who just talked ownership into a full-staff restructure — mid-season. Can you believe that? They never do that. But I did it. I finally get to bring in my people. The ones I can trust.”
“That’s… amazing,” I managed, still caught between the press of his hands and the pounding in my chest. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? To switch everything up when you just got here?”
Nathan stilled. “I think I know how to run a team, and that you should focus on unpacking and leave business to me. Hmm?”
He pulled back with the passive-aggressive comment, eyes scanning the room. His smile slipped. “Speaking of which, not much done in here, huh?”
My stomach dropped. “I was— I’ve been unpacking the books. I thought I’d—”
“The books.” He looked past me toward the kitchen before walking over to the island. “You haven’t even started on the kitchen? Ariana…” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I’ll get it all done after dinner,” I offered quickly. “I was thinking we could order in, anyway. Try a local place in our new home?”
Nathan was silent for a long moment, his fingertips drumming on the island countertop. He eyed the one box I had unpacked — filled with glassware — and then suddenly, his hand struck the counter with a crack that made me flinch. A mug toppled from the stack beside him, shattering across the tile.
For a long moment, all I could hear was Nickelback humming softly in the background, and my own heart pounding in my ears.
Then, like a switch flipping, his shoulders slumped. “God, look at me,” he muttered. “Making a mess when you’re trying to get things sorted.”
He stepped forward, reaching out, and I instinctively stepped back.
His brow knit, wounded. “Sweetheart. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to— you know I just get worked up. We can order in. That’s fine. The unpacking will get done. I’m sorry.”
I nodded, though I was on high alert now.
Nathan sighed again, and then tried to smile and tease me. “Although, I don’t see why you had to go get groceries this morning, if this was the plan.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe you lost your key.”
“I found it,” I said, hoping that would cheer him up.
I ran over to my purse and dug out the key for proof.
“See? It had slipped between my seat and the console when I grabbed my purse to go into the store. I didn’t realize it.
But once I got home and unloaded the car, I did a deep search.
And here it is!” I dug back into my purse.
“And here is yours. I’ll put it in the dish for you so you have it for tomorrow. ”
His posture softened, and he shook his head on a smile. “You are adorable, you know that?”
My smile felt forced as he crossed the room and pulled me into him for a hug.
“I know this has all been unexpected and fast — the move to Tampa, taking over the team. And I know you were sad to leave Sketch In behind.”
Sketch In — the nonprofit organization Nathan had not so subtly suggested I get involved with because it would look good for him. I did love the kids there, and I loved any chance I had to work with the community, but it hadn’t been my baby. It hadn’t been my choice.
Nothing ever was, anymore.
“But this is a big step, Ariana — for both of us. For our family. I want us ready. I want you to feel like you’re part of it.”
He pulled back and traced his fingers down my arms until our hands were clasped.
“You just need a little purpose again,” he murmured. “That’s all. I can help with that. I know what you need.”
My stomach dropped, twisting sourly as a tight knot spread low in my gut. Part of me recoiled. I wanted to pull away, to tell him he was wrong, that he didn’t get to decide that for me. But another part of me already knew it was useless. There was no winning here.
Shame curled through me like smoke, hot and suffocating, and I shoved it down, forcing my face into an expression of agreeable neutrality.
My throat tightened. “Nathan—”
“Leave it with me, my love. I’ll take care of you.” He hit me with the same smile that had swept me off my feet years ago, the one that promised safety. “For now, come to bed.”
I hesitated, but the air between us had already shifted. I knew we were dancing on that delicate line between calm and mayhem.
So I nodded.
He brushed a kiss against my forehead and led me down the hall.
My nostalgic playlist crooned on, muffled by the closing door.
And as his hands found me, I floated somewhere far away — thinking only of the shattered mug on the floor and the way I’d sweep it up when we were done, pretending it was the only thing that had broken tonight.