Chapter 27 JAKE
JAKE
Something’s Off
Ican’t remember ever smiling this much.
And it happens in moments when I’m not even aware of it.
In the hallway at the training facility. In the locker room while I’m taping my stick. In the elevator when I catch my reflection and realize someone replaced my face with a less pissed-off version.
It’s always the same reason.
Talia.
The way she looks when she’s focused on a painting, her tongue caught between her teeth like she’s in a world I’m not allowed into. The way she says my name. The way she laughs at my deadpan sarcasm like I’m actually funny and not just an ass.
I know with absolute certainty that I’m in love with her.
Within just a few weeks she’s become the most important person in my life. If someone had told me a month ago that there would be a woman who brings me more happiness than I ever imagined… a woman I want to spend every day with… a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with…
I wouldn’t have believed them.
But now I can picture everything with Talia.
I pull my phone out while I’m still walking and check the time.
I have a small surprise planned for tonight, and I can’t wait to tell her.
The last few days I’ve been carrying my secret around like a puck in my pocket.
She’s started working on a new painting, and it’s just as incredible as the last one.
She’s not pretty good.
She’s talented.
The kind of talented that makes you stop breathing for a second because you didn’t expect something that honest to exist in real life.
So I started asking around.
A former teammate’s wife runs events. A sponsor knows a gallery owner. Connections I’ve built over the years by showing up, being reliable, being the kind of guy people don’t have to worry about.
Sometimes being a famous hockey player comes with perks.
I don’t ask for favors lightly.
But this time I did.
And gladly.
In the end, a well-known gallery director sounded interested, so I sent her a few photos of Talia’s work.
And today, I get the answer.
I’m walking out of the video room when my phone buzzes.
A name I don’t recognize at first.
Then I remember.
Gallery director.
My thumb hovers before I answer. “Morrison.”
A warm voice comes through the line. Professional. Polished. Interested.
“We reviewed the images you sent,” she says. “Your… friend has a really strong voice. There’s something in the work that feels very intimate. We’d love to meet her.”
My chest tightens in a way that has nothing to do with adrenaline.
“Okay,” I say, keeping my tone calm even though I want to punch the air. “When?”
She gives me the details for a meeting next week.
I confirm and thank her.
When the call ends, I stare at the screen for a second.
Then I grin like an idiot. Me. Grinning.
I shove the phone in my pocket before anyone sees. Because this is not something I’m letting the guys chirp me about.
In the locker room, Connor is already talking too loud about someone’s golf swing being an embarrassment to the entire sport. Rhys is leaning back at his stall with that smug expression like he knows everyone’s secrets.
Declan catches my eye and lifts a brow.
“What?” I mutter.
“You’re in a good mood,” he says.
“I’m not.”
He smirks. “Sure.”
I change faster than usual and get out of there before they can start asking questions. I don’t need them in my head today.
I need her.
I drive home with the windows cracked, letting the cool air keep me steady. The sun is low by the time I pull into the driveway.
I unlock the door and step inside.
Bear comes barreling into the hallway, nails skittering on the floor as he launches himself at my legs like I’ve been gone for a week.
“Hey,” I say automatically, rubbing his ears. “You’re going to trip me one day.”
His tail thumps hard against the wall.
Then I hear soft footsteps.
Talia appears at the end of the hallway.
And for a second, my chest loosens just from seeing her.
She’s wearing one of my hoodies, sleeves pushed up, hair pulled into a messy knot.
She smiles, but it doesn’t fully reach her eyes. “Hi,” she says.
“Hey,” I reply, walking over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Her arms wrap around me loosely, but her usual enthusiasm is missing.
I pull back and study her. “You okay?”
“Of course,” she says quickly, smiling too tightly.
Maybe something with Katia?
“You sure?” I ask quietly.
She nods. “Just tired.”
I watch her for another moment, then let it go.
Dinner is simple. Pasta. Salad. But delicious as always.
Only our interactions feel a little… off.
We sit across from each other at the table. Bear lies under my chair, occasionally lifting his nose into the air like he’s evaluating the smell.
She laughs at the right moments, but her smiles fade faster than usual. Like her mind is somewhere else.
I wait.
I let her settle.
Because I’ve got something that’s going to light her up, and I want to see it.
When we’re halfway through dinner, I set my fork down.
“Okay,” I say, trying to sound casual. “I did something.”
Her brows lift slightly. “Like… illegal?”
I huff a short laugh. “No.”
“That’s disappointing.”
I shake my head and reach for my phone. I pull up the email confirmation and slide it across the table.
“I talked to someone,” I say. “A gallery.”
She blinks.
Then she picks up the phone and scans the screen.
Her eyes widen.
For a moment, the real Talia is there. The one that lights up like someone turned her on from the inside.
“What,” she breathes. “Jake—”
“They’re interested in carrying your work,” I say, keeping my voice steady even though my chest feels tight with anticipation. “They want to meet you next week.”
Her mouth opens slightly. Her gaze flicks up to mine.
“You did this?” she whispers.
“Of course,” I say like it’s nothing. “You’re talented. They should see it.”
Her eyes shine. She sets the phone down carefully like it might shatter.
“Jake,” she says again, softer. “Thank you.”
I wait for the squeal.
The jump out of her chair.
The frantic excitement.
The rapid-fire questions.
Instead, her smile wavers.
It fades just a little too quickly.
And my stomach drops.
She looks… overwhelmed.
But not in the good way.
She pushes a strand of hair behind her ear and swallows like she’s trying to keep herself together.
“That’s amazing,” she says, voice tight. “Really. Thank you.”
“You’re not excited?” I say before I can stop myself.
Her head jerks up.
“I am,” she insists, but the word doesn’t match her face.
I lean back slightly, studying her. “Tal.”
She exhales.
“I’m excited,” she repeats, like she’s trying to convince herself. “I just… I’m in a weird mood.”
I don’t like it.
I don’t like the way she won’t meet my eyes for more than a second. I don’t like the way her shoulders are drawn up, like she’s bracing for something.
Okay. That’s something I can deal with. I know what it’s like to be in a bad mood. And she’s allowed a bad day or two. She can’t be my sunshine all the time, and I know that. I love her no matter what.
But maybe I can help.
I keep my voice calm. “Talk to me.”
Her jaw tightens. “I don’t want to,” she says, and there’s a crack in her tone. “Not tonight.”
My chest tightens, instinct screaming at me to push. To fix. To demand the truth.
But I can see she needs space right now. I nod once. “Okay.”
Relief flickers across her face so fast it hurts.
“I just… need some time,” she says quietly. “Alone.”
I swallow.
Every part of me wants to follow her. To ask again.
But I remember what I told her.
Don’t decide what I feel without asking me.
And I realize that goes both ways.
I can’t decide what she needs without listening.
So I nod again. “Okay.”
I stand and start clearing the plates.
She rises slowly and walks toward the hallway.
Halfway there, she pauses and glances back.
“I’m sorry,” she says.
I shake my head. “Don’t be. It’s okay.”
Her throat moves like she’s swallowing something down. Then she disappears upstairs.
Bear follows me into the kitchen as I rinse dishes, tail wagging like he doesn’t understand tension. He drops a slobbery toy at my feet and looks up at me expectantly.
I stare down at it.
Then I crouch and scratch his head.
“Not now,” I mutter.
He whines.
I stand back up, drying my hands slowly, staring at the staircase.
Something’s wrong.
I don’t know what. But I can feel it.
And as I turn off the kitchen light and head toward the living room, I make myself a promise.
I’ll give her tonight. I’ll give her space.
But tomorrow?
I’m not letting her hide from me.
Not anymore.