Chapter 34
As disappointed as I am that Mila couldn’t stay last night, nothing could bring me down from my high right now.
Even though she ended up leaving, we still had an outstanding evening, filled with laughter and orgasms. The best way to spend any day, in my opinion.
And after our heart-to-heart, things felt even more intense than usual.
Maybe it’s the fact that I know deep down she cares about me, or maybe it’s just that I’ve finally realized my own feelings.
Love. I’ve never felt romantic love. I always imagined it would feel like a shackle, locking you to someone, but it’s the opposite.
Being tethered to Mila is a freedom I’ve never felt before.
I’m in love with Mila Taranova.
I smile at the thought of her as I walk into our practice facility. Just like everything else since my grand realization, the building is somehow…better. The air feels fresher, the paint looks brighter, and I’m more excited than ever to put on my skates and play my beloved sport.
“Ayo, look who finally decided to show up today,” Bubba yells from the other end of the locker room as I walk in.
“It’s the ole loverboy himself.”
“Did your lady keep you up late last night?”
“She’s way out of your league, man.”
The guys mess with me as I make my way to my locker, but I don’t mind. I’ll take all their taunts. At least I finally have someone for them to talk about now.
Milton walks in as I’m changing my clothes, his grin growing the closer he gets. “Hey, Sunshine! Did you have a gooood night last night?”
“Nah, Mila left yesterday evening. But I had a good afternoon,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.
“Hell yeah! I really like her, and Jennifer is about ready to plan your wedding. What are you guys anyway? Are you officially dating? Exclusive? Just casual? There are so many different terms these days. I can’t keep up.”
There’s nothing casual about the way I feel for Mila. After our conversation yesterday, I would assume we’re at least exclusive, but dating might be a stretch. “Hmm…I’m not sure. We are at least very good friends.”
“Well, you’d better make it official before someone else does.”
Gus skates over from his seat and sits in Bubba’s seat beside me. “Yeah, that woman is way out of your league, Sunny boy.”
“Move, asshole.” Before I can respond, Bubba slaps Gus in the head with his stick to scoot him over. “He’s right, though. How did you say you met her?”
I hella told you last week exactly how I met her, and you didn’t believe me. “Oh, that’s Teddy’s sister.”
“The fuck? Teddy has a sister?” Gus shouts from the other side of Bubba.
“He, um…didn’t know about it until he moved to Thunder Bay.” I really should protect the Taranov family secrets. “They share a father, but neither of them knew about each other until he passed away.”
“I can kinda see it now,” Milton chimes in. “Damn, their dad must’ve been massive. Those are two large humans.”
“Hey, don’t say that about Mila, asshole!”
“Whoa, I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’m just saying it’s in the genes. If anything, it’s a compliment. You two would for sure have some athletic babies.”
“You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. It hasn’t even been two months since we’ve been seeing each other or…whatever.” Not that the short time matters at all to me. I would marry her right now if she would have me.
“Look, all we’re saying is that if you’re holding out on a relationship because you’re afraid of commitment or something, stop,” Bubba says, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I know it’s a new concept to you, but she’s the one. We all saw it, so just trust us and make the woman yours already.”
I smile and nod, but it will never be my decision. I only wish it were me we were waiting on to be official. Nobody could ensnare Mila Taranova unless she came willingly, so I’ll just keep groveling at her feet until she does.
The practice bell rings, and everyone files out, immediately forgetting about my love life. Thank God. As always, I’m the last man out. I turn off the lights and make my way to the rink, but I don’t get far before Coach stops me.
“Prescott, my office. Now!”
Backtracking to his office, I pop my head in the open doorframe. “Yes, sir?”
“Have a seat, son.”
I go through any and every possible thing he could want, but I’m coming up short. He must have heard about Mila and wants to give me flak.
I plop myself down as well as I can with my pads on in his small seat and wait for him to say something, but he never does. And the sadness in his expression all but confirms this meeting isn’t just to mess with me. “Um…what’s going on?”
Coach hangs his head with a sigh. “You’re being transferred.”
A moment of silence passes as all I can do is blink. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You’re being transferred—”
“No, I heard you, but…why? Have I done something wrong? I’ve really been feeling good about my performance lately, but if you’re not happy about it, I can work harder or—”
“It’s not, Thatcher. I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Trust me…”
“Okay, well…where am I going?”
“Thunder Bay.”
Well, at least I’ll be with Teddy. That will be nice. And Mila will surely be planning to visit often anyway, so it shouldn’t be too inconvenient for her. We can talk about it this weekend and…wait…“When do I need to be there? I’m sure I can get my things packed in a week or so—”
“You leave today. You have a jet waiting for you right now. Housing is already set up with everything you’ll need, and your things will be sent to you ASAP.”
“Today? I can’t leave today. I have…and I’ll need...” I guess I could leave tonight. If I leave practice now and drive to Mila’s, I can see her in time to make it back for a flight. “Okay, I can make it tonight, I’ll just—”
“I didn’t say tonight, I said right now. You have fifteen minutes to pack up your locker. I’ll tell the guys. It’ll be easier that way.”
Fifteen fucking minutes? There’s no fucking way.
This has to be a joke…right? I wait for a moment, hoping this is some stupid prank, but the look in Coach’s eyes tells the truth.
The truth is I’m getting on a plane in fifteen minutes to fly over a thousand miles away from the only city I’ve ever known. From Mila…From my home.
“I’ll…I’ll go get my things…” I say, barely making eye contact with Coach as I get up and go to leave his office.
Silence fills the air until I open the door. “Thatcher?”
Turning back, I think a tear falls from his eye. “I’ll miss you. And good luck in Thunder Bay. Tell Teddy I said hello.”
With a last salute-wave, I say my final goodbye and damn near run to the locker room to grab my phone.
Mila still hasn’t responded to my good morning text.
She had an important meeting, but that should have ended hours ago.
I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown when I remember that I can always just fly back to see her this weekend.
Still, I want to let her know what’s going on. I would want her to do the same for me.
I start to text her, but decide to call instead. She said only to call for emergencies, but I think this warrants it. The phone rings once, then twice, before forwarding to voicemail. Maybe she’s dealing with super important Bratva stuff. I guess a text will have to do.
ME: Sorry to call…got some big hockey news. Call back when you can!