Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
HARLAN
APRIL
“Royce! Nick sends his congratulations, by the way. Said you outplayed him the other night.”
My agent, Annie Markham, was on the other end of the phone. This felt like the day that wouldn’t end. First, the exposure from Greer, dealing with the team’s reaction, and now my agent was calling out of the blue.
“Oh, I mean, it could have been either of us. He hung on until the end too. And we might play each other again soon if we both keep winning.”
It was true. There was a high chance that the Princes and the Rusties could be finalists for the Cup, but truly anything could happen during the playoffs.
“Well, the trade deadline has passed, but I wanted to plant the seed with you that L.A. is interested in bringing you on for next season.”
A stone sank inside me, along with a giddy rush. Someone wanted me. Someone who wasn’t the Rusties wanted me. And Los Angeles at that. I’d never lived outside of Ohio for long, and the thought of Southern California was exhilarating.
“Wow. L.A. I don’t know what to say. That’s a huge opportunity.”
“Yeah. I know Nick would love to have you with him. I might be a little biased pushing that one, though. L.A.’s coaching staff was just really impressed with you and your progress this season, and as you know, your contract is coming up this summer.”
“Yeah. Definitely. Okay. Wow.”
But what would happen to Emma? Where would that leave her? Would Greer stay away from her if I left?
Would Emma come with me?
It didn’t seem possible. If Liam did another year of juniors, Chef would almost certainly want to be around for him. He’d probably even keep living at home. Emma’s whole life had been in Columbus, and so had mine. But she had way less reason to want to leave if Liam stuck around.
“Is there no chance I could stay with Ohio?” I asked.
“Oh, definitely. If that’s what you want, I can keep pushing that. I just wanted to let you know that you’re noticed, and a lot of doors could be opening soon if that’s something you want to explore.”
“Yeah. Let’s keep the door open for sure. For all of it.”
“This is a personal question, but I know Nick will be curious. Why do you want to stay in Ohio?”
I cleared my throat and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I met someone.”
It was the simplest explanation, and the truth. I met someone, she saved my life, I got to know her, and everything changed. A flashy life somewhere else didn’t sound as appealing as coming home from every road trip to find her in my space. In her space. Maybe in a new space together someday.
“Well, love’s not something to ignore,” Annie said. “I know if Nick got traded, I’d be packing up right along with him.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. I don’t know if she could. Her son is here.”
Annie hummed. “Kids are complicated.”
I didn’t feel like explaining that Emma’s kid was an adult and it was a little more complicated than being in the right school district. “They are.”
“Give it some thought, and call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Fuck!” I jumped back, narrowly missing covering my hand in piping-hot sauteed vegetables. Instead, they, and the pan that carried them, clattered to the floor.
Emma startled, bent to turn off the burner, then let out a quick breath. “Are you hurt?”
“No, my head’s just not here.”
And it wasn’t. Everything was a haze of round one of the playoffs, and continual thoughts about Annie’s phone call.
Round one was pretty much in the bag, but losing focus and assuming victory could lead to our downfall.
Plus, we had to think ahead to which team we’d potentially face in round two, preparing for either roster’s tricks and schemes.
Annie’s call loomed larger. I hadn’t told Emma about the call, feeling like it would put unfair stress on her while Liam was finishing school. The focus should be on him. And for me, the focus had to be hockey.
But my entire professional life could be in for a major change if I couldn’t get Ohio to make me an offer at the end of the season. I had every intention to tell Emma, but I wanted to wait until after Liam graduated.
She nodded, looking me over. “You’ve been distracted. You have a lot on your plate, though.”
I laughed sardonically. Did she know about the potential trade? Why would she think I had a lot on my plate? “This was supposed to take my mind off things.”
I headed for my broom closet, and when I returned, Emma was going through my fridge. “What are you looking for?”
“Chicken, chicken broth, and we’ve already got celery and carrots.” She gestured to the counter.
I tipped my head while I grazed my hand over her lower back in passing. “For what?”
She straightened and turned her face to mine. “Chicken and rice soup.”
I pouted. “We can’t finish what we were making?”
Emma pointed to the vegetables covering the floor. “How clean are your floors?”
“Fair.”
I stooped to clean up the mess, and by the time I stood, Emma had the counter cleared of our last dinner and had my soup pot on the stove. I hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Sorry I’m falling apart.”
She patted my cheek over her shoulder. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself. We need those hands.”
“Oh, we do?” I worked my hands up her shirt and squeezed her boobs. Emma sank back into me. “You don’t need them?”
“I am included in we,” she hummed. “I’m not sure the Rusties need you to honk their boobs, but what do I know? Could be a locker room ritual I’ve missed.”
My voice came out more defensive than I meant it to. “Your boobs are the only ones I’m honking.”
Emma faced me and looped her arms behind my neck, her deep brown eyes moving over my face. “I know. I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I don’t think you’re cheating on me with the guys.”
I chewed my lip and nodded. My stomach tightened at how thoughtful she was. The way Emma saw me and didn’t let me marinate in stupid misunderstandings was unlike anything I’d ever known. “Thanks. Didn’t even realize that was something I was thinking.”
Emma gripped my chin and raised on her toes to kiss me. “Why don’t you sit and tell me what to do? I want the soup to taste like yours. Get a drink. Make me some origami.”
I smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. “‘Kay. Dice the celery and carrots and sauté them in butter to start.”
“Heard, Chef.”
I dipped to kiss Emma again before moving to the fridge for a drink.
I got out a couple of those healthy fake sodas, an orange one for Em and a raspberry one for me.
I cracked the can and slid it down the counter to her, then got some origami paper out of my junk drawer.
Fine, it was my immaculately organized miscellaneous drawer, not my junk drawer.
I sat at the counter and got to work on an origami crown.
“So, did you get the message about the team attorneys wanting to meet with us?”
Emma whipped around. “No. About what?”
“I think they just want us to sign off that we won’t hold the team liable if something goes wrong between us. And I think they’re going to bring the paperwork we need to file a restraining order against Greer.”
She was quiet, chopping without looking up at me. “That’s a relief.”
She didn’t look all that relieved, so I questioned it. “Which part?”
“The restraining order. It’ll be good to get that done.” She still wouldn’t look at me.
“What about the other part?”
Emma’s lips twisted and her brows knit. “Just really official, I guess. Most couples don’t have to sign a love contract at work.”
I snorted a laugh. “You a commitment-phobe, princess?”
She had a look on her face dangerously close to a pout. “I’m not, but are you?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. I’d been way more forthcoming with my feelings than she had. That didn’t bother me, but if we were measuring dicks on this one, I was bigger.
“You’ve been kinda weird since I said the big thing.” She quickly turned to the stove, putting her back to me.
Guilt surged inside me. She wasn’t wrong.
It was tough knowing that she said I love you seconds before Annie called with the news that could tear us apart.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and I didn’t want to rock the boat over nothing.
I’d been trying to play it cool, but that clearly wasn’t working.
I came to a stopping point with my origami and stood, walking over to her and tapping her shoulder. Her eyes were wet. “Hey.” I opened my arms and she stepped into me, resting her head against my chest. I kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Emma.”
She looked up at me with a bashful smile. “I love you too.”
I dipped to kiss her. “It’s pretty cool, huh?”
She nodded. “I think it’s pretty cool, yeah.”
I bit my bottom lip, taking a moment to drink in her features. “I’m lucky.”
She beamed. “I like to think I am.”
“Cutie.” I chuckled. “Hey, so, if things keep going well for the team after he’s out of school, would you maybe want to travel with the team? You could both stay in my room on the road. Or we can get Liam his own room. I’ll buy your flights. Make sure you have good seats.”
Emma broke out of our embrace and sprinkled salt over the pot, grinning at me over her shoulder. “You want me to be your roadie?”
“Well, you and Liam. It’s just nice to have somebody there who’s just for you, you know?”
She chuckled. “You’re sure you want Liam to come? Won’t be a lot of hanky panky if my son is in the same room.”
“I can’t believe you just said ‘hanky panky.’”
“Chalk it up to the age gap.”
I sat up and cracked my neck. “I dunno. Just thought he’d enjoy it. Didn’t want him to feel left out, and I didn’t want you to feel like you’re losing valuable time with him.”
“He’ll probably have something cooler going on, but I’ll ask.” She sloshed some chicken broth into the pot and stirred, scraping off any veggies stuck to the bottom. “Thanks for thinking of us, though.”
“It’s not just thinking of you. I want you there. I need all the love and attention I can get.”