Chapter Twenty-Seven
Denis
I’d never pictured myself as a person someone would want to lean on, but ever since Sterling had received the news of his mother’s death and his inheritance, I’d taken charge, changing plane and hotel reservations while also making sure he was mentally okay.
“Have something to eat.” I pushed toward him the salad I’d picked up from his favorite health restaurant. I’d left him for forty-five minutes, telling him I had to get some last-minute things for our trip. In reality, I’d first stopped for a burger and fries at our local diner.
He picked at the lettuce. “I can’t fathom so much money. What the hell am I going to do with it all? And the properties…I’m not leaving the news to run her businesses.”
“Again, that’s why we’re going. You own it, which means you can sell it too.
But I doubt you’re going to want to get rid of everything.
When you spoke with the attorney, didn’t he tell you not to worry?
Let’s wait and see what happens when we get to California.
We have the first flight out Monday morning.
We get there nice and early so we can catch a nap and be ready for our meeting at two p.m.”
Devastated eyes met mine. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what, mon cher?” I stroked his hand. “You’re a human being, and this isn’t something anyone can ever be prepared for.”
“I ruined your vacation, and I know you needed the time to relax and regroup. Instead, you’re babysitting me and—”
I laid my fingers across Sterling’s lips. “Shhh. Being with you is what matters. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we are. Barbados, California, here, my place. I don’t care. Now eat your rabbit food.”
His wan smile hurt my heart.
Sterling chewed the leaves with little appetite. A few minutes later, he shoved the bowl across the island, leaving half the salad. “I’m done. I can’t eat.” His eyes narrowed. “Where’s yours?”
“My what?” I feigned ignorance. “Oh, you mean salad? I wasn’t hungry.”
“You are the world’s worst liar.” For a moment, a twinkle lit his eyes. “I know you had burgers. You tasted like ketchup and meat.”
“Come to bed, and I’ll take care of your meat.” I slung my arm around his neck. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise. We’ll figure it out. After all, it’s only money.”
Sterling’s brows rose high as he sputtered. “Only money? It’s hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“I know. I got myself a sugar daddy.” Cackling, I gave him a big kiss on his cheek. “Can I borrow a few million dollars?”
With a laugh, Sterling smacked my ass. “You are such an idiot.”
I pulled him close. “But I made you laugh, mon cher, so you can call me any name you want.”
He laid his head on my chest. “Mine. I’ll call you mine.”
**
Sunday morning, I woke up early to an empty bed.
Sterling had been awake all night, and I got out of bed to find him.
It was a gray day, and I looked forward to the sun and warmth of California.
A smile rose to my face when I saw him curled up on the sofa, and I was careful not to wake him as I covered him with a throw.
His laptop was open, and I touched the mousepad to see he was reading up on Dahlia Dumont’s businesses.
“Mon pauvre chéri…” I murmured and left him to take a shower. I had an idea to take his mind off his problems, and I hoped he’d be okay with it. I’d been meaning to suggest it for weeks, but something always came up.
I was dressed and entered the living room again, and this time Sterling was awake. Tired and pale, he forced a smile. “Sorry if I kept you up all night. I couldn’t sleep.”
“I know. Let’s have some breakfast, and then I have a favor to ask of you.”
I turned on the kettle and poured myself a cup of coffee. I steeped his tea, brought it to him, and settled beside him on the couch.
“What is it?” He blew on it and took a sip. “Of course, anything you need.”
“I’d like it if you would come with me and meet Gil. I don’t often get the chance during the season to visit in person, and usually I do so on the bye week. I was planning on running up today anyway, and…I’d like you to come with me and meet him.”
Sterling set the cup aside and reached for my hand. “I’d love to. Thank you for including me.”
I kissed his fingers. “I want the two most important men in my life to know each other. After we eat, I’ll call for a car.”
Even more importantly, I hoped that at least for a few hours, it would give Sterling something else to think about.
**
We arrived before lunch and found Gil in the garden room, surrounded by his friends, talking hockey. I stayed by the door and grinned at Sterling, who had barely spoken all morning and during the car ride up.
“Watch. He holds court, telling them all about the stars he’s coached and his predictions for the Cup.”
It settled my fears of his decline to see him so animated and smiling. His voice rose strong.
“And I told Denis, never take your eye off that puck. It doesn’t matter how many sticks are in your face. It’s the puck that counts.”
“And I’ve tried to listen, have I not, Papa?” I teased and strode into the room, Sterling several paces behind me. “Although it’s been a bit harder lately.”
The group of men—and, I noticed, several ladies—met my entrance with oohs, ahhs, and smiles. Several new faces gaped at me.
“Is that him? Denis Bouvier?”
“Mais oui,” Gil answered them, then turned to me. “I’m so happy to see you. I was hoping you’d come.”
My heart squeezed. I was the last of his students still actively playing, and I had no idea if anyone besides me came to visit him.
“And here I am. With a friend. Sterling Forest, this is the man who made me who I am. Gil Girard.”
“Very nice to meet you, sir. Denis never stops talking about you.”
He cocked his head and studied Sterling. “You’re on the news.”
“Yes. Channel 8.”
“I watched the profile they did on you.” He wagged a finger at me. “You, keeping secrets.”
Laughing, I wheeled him over to a quiet corner where we could all sit together. Gil continued to question Sterling. He’d been waiting for me to bring someone to meet him for a while.
“And you and Denis. You’re more than friends?” Sterling looked to me, and I winked.
“Oui. Very much so.”
“Good, good. Denis needs a steady person who’s not in the game. To be on the ice and at home again with the game?” He sliced his hand through the air. “No. This is much better.” His sharp eyes met mine. “How long?”
I glanced at Sterling, who smiled for the first time that morning.
“You know…” he said, “I’m not sure. To be honest, we didn’t even like each other in the beginning. Somehow, we just slipped into a relationship.”
“And now he can’t live without me,” I added, to which Sterling returned an answering shot.
“Methinks it’s the other way around. He chased me until I let him catch me.”
Gil watched our back-and-forth with amusement. “C’est comme ca. This is what I love to see. The fun between a couple.” His smile was filled with satisfaction. “Don’t let that end. Mary, my wife, may God rest her soul, didn’t like me much at first either.”
“Je ne te crois pas,” I insisted. “Mary adored you.”
“Not at first. She thought I was…how you say it…a jock. Too interested in sports and not her.” His eyes twinkled.
“I had to prove I was worthy. Because I knew”—he paused and searched my face, then Sterling’s—“I knew she was the one. And nothing and nobody would get in my way of making her mine. When you meet that special someone, it changes you.”
“In what way?” Sterling asked. “You didn’t give up hockey.”
“Never,” Gil declared. “Your true love would never deny you something of such great importance. But this is where you must decide. What is your priority? In my opinion, you must always make your love number one. The ones who remain alone? They chose the game and glory.”
The way Gil put it seemed so simple, yet it was something I’d struggled with my whole life.
“You’re right. I know people like that. I was that person,” I admitted.
“Since I came out and have been playing in the league, my main goal was winning games and having fun. I thought I wanted a relationship, but even once I had someone, it wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wasn’t satisfied.”
I felt like I needed to explain to Gil directly.
“Several days ago, I called my parents.” Gil’s brows rose high, but he nodded and let me speak. “I honestly don’t know why, but I thought the fact that they called you meant they had some feeling left for me.”
“And because deep down, you still care, you called them. I understand,” Gil said. “You have so much love in your heart, Denis.”
Sterling’s hand crept into mine and held on tight.
My lips twisted in an ugly semblance of a grin.
“Maybe I do, but my father doesn’t. He hasn’t changed—nothing’s different from then to now.
And it finally hit me that it didn’t matter anymore.
Whatever hope I had that one day things might be different, vanished.
And I thought it would be terrifying knowing I was truly alone, but it was freeing instead. ”
“How so?” Gil asked, though I believed he already knew. But having me say it out loud made it more real. More honest.
“Because it forced me to realize I have to make my own happiness. I’m responsible for my life, no one else.
I’ve made many mistakes and hurt people.
People I’ve learned to care for. And I’m grateful they forgave me.
But those mistakes made me stronger and able to recognize the real thing.
I’m not alone. Not anymore. In the end, my biggest mistake is what saved me. ”
Joy shone from Gil’s eyes. “And Sterling is the real thing.”