Chapter 21
CONNOR
Skating across the ice, I hate that I left Hadley at home.
Well, she might be celebrating. She’s been itching to have some space for a few days now.
I could tell that she is growing tired of my constant check-ins and chivalrous gestures, like bringing her favorite coffee from Jolly Joe’s or cooking for her even if she isn’t that hungry.
The only thing she doesn’t seem to mind is when I’m inside of her.
I just didn’t want to leave her alone, considering how the past week has gone.
But she insisted that I stay committed to my duties of volunteering at my dad’s summer hockey camp for developing skills, plus I need to ensure that I stay in shape by keeping up with my workouts, as the new season is fast approaching, and I don’t want my mind out of the game.
Briggs skates around me like a shark until he brakes. We both helped earlier with the kids, but now it’s our time to run a few drills. Nothing too strenuous.
“Do you think Vaughn will retire or trade next season?” my friend asks as he bounces the puck on his stick.
I swivel my skates back and forth as we talk in place. “Does it matter? He isn’t that bad of a guy, and we might need him if we want a chance at the cup. We won’t know until end of next season. He’s still signed with Tampa.”
“Easy for you to say. You get along with the guy, and it isn’t your position that they would trade.”
“I can be off the team. It might be for the best,” I admit.
He glances up, taken aback that I said that. “What’s up with you?”
I hold my stick out to circle my wrists. “I’m just saying maybe getting away from Lake Spark would be good for me, for Hadley too.” A bit of fresh perspective, change of scene, no parents around us.
Briggs laughs. “Nah, you two are complete family people, plus your uncle would be pissed if his team loses their star defender.”
I give him an unimpressed look. “It’s not always up to him.” I’m kind of offended he said that. He’s always had my back while I proved my abilities.
“Sorry, man, just being honest with you. Ready for the bachelor party?” He grins.
He wasn’t joking, it’s happening. In two weeks.
I have no clue what the hell is up, and I’m kind of scared.
Never underestimate Briggs, or my dad. My entire life my dad has attempted to be relatable and cool due to having me young.
I can only imagine that he’ll put in the extra effort to hang with the boys.
My head falls and my nose squinches as I debate if I can figure out any hints. “I’m fucking terrified.”
“Also cool if the father of the bride comes? Spencer sent me a text that he wasn’t sure he should be there.”
That doesn’t really surprise me considering what’s gone down. “It’s totally fine.” I mean it too. Hadley loves him, and although they haven’t spoken much lately, I believe they will be okay. His intentions have always been pure. “All is good,” I confirm again.
He touches my shoulder as we skate to the rink exit. “I fucking love ya, man, which is why I can tease you that your mom is here with your juice box.”
I laugh to myself and smile at my mom who is, in fact, standing by the rink holding up a bottle of water, indicating that she has brought me a drink so we can talk.
“Playdate’s over, buddy,” I reply in good jest.
“Good. I’m going to hit the spa at the Dizzy Duck Inn for a massage. That new masseuse they have is magical with her hands and her mouth.”
“I didn’t just hear that, Briggs Chase.” My mom smiles sweetly, and I have to chuckle.
Briggs gives her his signature grin. “Sorry, Brielle, you know I’m just trying to find a woman of your caliber, but the pickings are slim here.” He’s just purposely annoying me now, because yeah, I’ve heard the guys mention how they think my mom is hot, which causes me to cringe.
“Such a charmer as always, Briggsy,” she replies with her arms crossed.
He brings a hand to his heart. “I save it all for you in another life where Ford doesn’t exist.”
“Fuck off,” I tell him.
He and my mom both laugh because annoying me is a pastime they enjoy.
Shaking my head, I get busy on my skates, taking them off, then head toward my mother to sit with her.
“I was visiting your dad in his office and saw my firstborn, so had to stop to say hello.” Her voice is breezy.
I lean in and pretend to scan the room. “It’s okay, you can say I’m your favorite son.”
She feigns an unimpressed scowl. “Funny. Seriously, I feel like we haven’t touched base much lately, and I know when you get married that your wife becomes number one, just don’t forget about me.”
“Couldn’t if I tried,” I assure her. “And sorry, I’ve just been tied up in a few things.”
My mom touches my shoulder with affection. “Everything okay? I thought everything is going fine. I mean, I’ve never seen you so happy. Marriage suits you.”
“Really?”
“You have a glow.”
I roll my eyes. “You and Dad need to work on these sappy speeches.”
“Fair enough. But all good? Hadley had a substitute for her ballet class this week, and April seems out of sorts too, but I get the feeling that I shouldn’t press.” Concern is apparent in her voice.
I blow out a breath and briefly look down at my hands where my wedding ring sticks out.
Marriage does suit me. “All good. She’s just under the weather,” I lie.
It’s not my place to inform anyone about Hadley and Spencer, and I don’t think Hadley wants anyone to know. She mentioned not even telling Isla.
“Flu or…” It trails out of her mouth.
An exhausted breath now escapes me. “Relax, we meant it when we said that we’re not with child, nor plan on being in the near future.”
She gives me a sympathetic look. “Sorry, my mind tends to go there.” I get it, I do. Being pregnant at eighteen must impact you in many ways. “If there is anything I can do, then just tell me,” she offers.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it covered.” My mom chortles, and it causes me to look at her peculiarly. “What?” I wonder.
She wraps an arm around my shoulders and keeps me locked in a side hug as we look out over the empty ice. “Of course you do. Love is when you put someone else first, and that’s all you ever do when it concerns Hadley Crews, now Spears.”
A proud partial smile attempts to break out on my lips. Reflecting on all my choices, although not always ideal, my mom is right, because I’d make the same choice again. Ultimately, putting Hadley first is my only goal.
“If only she saw it that way,” I softly say to myself.
Not quiet enough, as my mom looks at me with alarm before she eases into advice that I know she is about to dish out.
“Marriage isn’t easy. What does help is ensuring you remind the other how much you love and care, say it over and over, louder if you can.
Don’t ever assume it’s clear. We need to be showered in proclamations of love. ”
I bring a hand to my forehead and shake my head slightly side to side. These heart-to-hearts with my parents are killing me. Way too saccharine for my liking yet ridiculously informative.
Because if I look back at it, I’ve done many actions to show how much I feel for Hadley, yet I haven’t stated the obvious. Maybe I took it for granted and never told her how I really feel, assuming she got the hint.
I can’t afford to get it wrong now. Not when she’s uncertain of how to move forward.
“Duly noted, Mom,” I comment. “Great talk as always.” I give her a little fist bump.
“Go. You have a wife waiting for you.”
“Yeah… yeah, I do.” My words linger in the air.
When I arrive home, I’m relieved to see that Hadley ate something, as there is a half-eaten sandwich on a plate in the kitchen. That’s what I call progress. Especially since she told me that she was going to check in at her studio and go for a walk. She’s attempting to find some normalcy again.
Heading to our room, I know she’s there since her car is here, and her phone was downstairs by the charger. The moment that I’m standing at our bedroom door, I see her resting on her side with an e-reader on the mattress.
“Hey,” I say as I walk into the room and remove my watch at the same time. My intention is to get comfy with her and have a relaxing evening.
“Hi.” She sounds deflated. I guess maybe we haven’t made progress.
I slide onto the bed to spoon her from behind. She’s wearing a light summer tank top dress which means I have ample opportunity to brush my lips along the curve of her shoulder. “I was thinking… maybe we should get out of Lake Spark for a few days.”
Hadley glances over her shoulder at me, and I take the moment to capture her chin with my crooked finger. “What do you mean?” she asks, curious.
“One of my teammates is back in Sweden for the summer and invited me to his family lake house there. Maybe it would be a good escape. The summer is ticking, and I’ll have to start preparing for the season soon.”
“Sweden?”
“Why not?” I shrug then tip my mouth down to trace her lips with mine.
“I’m not sure. Kind of feels like I’m running away.”
“Sulking around here isn’t the answer either,” I point out.
Her eyes turn into saucers. “Really?” She’s unimpressed. “I think I have valid reasons.”
I do something that I know will calm her down.
My hand journeys along her oblique around to her belly, stopping just below her navel, causing her dress to creep up slightly.
Meanwhile, I drag my teeth on her skin as I travel down her neck with the occasional playful nip.
I feel the goosebumps spread against her warm skin.
“Think of me holding a puppy, think happy thoughts,” I tease her. I circle my fingers around the sweet spot below her belly button that drives up her anticipation for me to go lower and makes her hum in response. I turn serious again. “Did you talk to your father today?”
She growls but stays put against my body. “Why do you care so much?”
“Because you and I have a good thing going. It will be even better if you are at peace with him.”
She throws a scowl in my direction. “Don’t be noble,” she demands.