Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
TYLER
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it,” I say to the driver as he hands over my suitcase.
“No problem. Have a great day,” he replies.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, I raise my hand in a small wave as he gets back into his car. Before he can pull away, I rate him five stars on the app, making sure to add a generous tip.
I’m pretty sure he broke some speeding laws to get me here, so it’s the least I can do.
As I turn to face the hotel, my heart hammers against my ribs. Between flight delays and waiting for a taxi, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it in time, but now I’m here, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
The conversation with my dad went as expected. There was a lot of shouting and cursing, and he demanded I hand my credit card back, but it doesn’t matter anymore.
I’m in Vancouver now, and I’m close to being with Colby again.
Dragging my suitcase behind me, I walk into the hotel lobby and stand off to the side as I open Instagram. Tapping on the message thread with Callie, I let her know I’m here, then notice the red bubble on my phone app.
One new voicemail, and it’s from Colby.
I quickly hit the Play button to listen and bring my phone to my ear. The second I hear his voice, my throat turns thick.
Fuck, I’ve missed him so much.
He talks about Beau Rousseau, and I let out a quiet snort of laughter, imagining him trying to play it cool. But then I hear those three words leave his lips, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
I didn’t mean for this to go on as long as it did. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I can’t dwell on it anymore. I can’t change what’s happened, but I can make a difference going forward.
I can be the guy Colby needs and make sure he never doubts how important he is to me again.
The sound of heels clicking against the shiny floors has my eyes shooting open, and they land on a blond woman in a dazzling navy blue dress heading toward me.
She’s grinning with a wild expression in her eyes, and it takes my brain a second to piece together the similarities.
“Callie?” I ask, making sure it’s really her, as I’ve only seen her in photos.
“Tyler!” She beams, then wraps her arms around me in a bone-crushing hug. “I can’t believe you’re here! Colby is going to be over the moon.”
My laugh comes out as a cough, and I hug her back.
“Really? You don’t think he’s going to be mad at me for turning up unannounced?”
She shakes her head firmly. “No, absolutely not. He’s going to be so happy you’re here.”
As soon as I booked my flight, I messaged Callie and asked for her help. I wanted to surprise Colby but not take away from this special moment in his career. She managed to snag an extra ticket, then let me know what hotel they were staying at and when he would be leaving.
“How fast can you get changed?” she asks as we walk to the elevator banks.
“Five minutes?” I reply, pointing to my suit bag draped over the top of my suitcase. “Ten, max.”
“Great. There’s a car picking us up in fifteen.”
“Didn’t they ask why you couldn’t go with them?”
“No, I just said I was running late and I’d meet them over there,” she says with a shrug.
I follow her into the elevator, my heart pounding with adrenaline.
“They left ten minutes ago because Colby is expected for the red carpet walk, but the doors open at six.”
My eyes widen in surprise. I forgot he’ll be expected to do that as a top prospect.
“Red carpet walk? I bet he’s hating that.”
Callie snickers. “Yep. It didn’t help that my mom has been pleading for him to get a haircut for weeks, but he’s been in his sad boy summer mood. She’s lucky he was even taking a shower.”
My face falls as pain laces through me at her words, stealing my breath from my throat.
“Hey,” she says softly and takes a step forward. “He’s okay. I’m sure you’ve been in your sad boy summer too.”
Her smile is crooked, and I give a small nod.
“Yeah, you could say that.”
The doors open to the sixteenth floor, and she leads me down the hall to her room.
“Colby’s in that one,” she says, pointing to the door next to hers. “My parents are in a suite further up. I’ll wait for you out here. Leave your bag in there, and we’ll sort it later.”
Once inside the room, I quickly change into my navy blue dress pants and white button-up shirt and douse myself in cologne.
I would’ve preferred to have a shower to get rid of the airplane stink, but I don’t want to be late.
Slipping my feet into my shoes, I check myself in the mirror and run a hand through my hair. My shirt is a little creased, and I forgot to pack my belt, but I’m sure Colby won’t mind.
Nerves run riot in my stomach when the car joins the drop-off line outside of the arena hosting this year’s draft. People line up on either side of the carpet, holding jerseys and photographs, eager to get a signature from the NHL’s next generation of superstars.
A flash of red catches my eye, and my spine stiffens against the leather seat. I’d recognize that jersey anywhere because I wore it so many times over the last four years.
“I don’t want to sound like a selfish prick, but what if they recognize me?” I ask, turning to Callie. There’s a partition between us and the driver, but I still lower my voice. “I don’t want people to start asking questions. He’s not ready for that.”
Callie purses her lips and hums in thought as the car inches closer.
“You don’t need to speak to anyone, but I’ll hold your arm until we walk in. That way, if anyone recognizes you, they’ll think we’re together.”
I let out a choked noise, which causes her to laugh.
“Calm down. It’s only for show, but it’ll stop people wondering why one of his teammates is here but no one else.”
The car rolls to a stop before I get a chance to think about it. The driver opens the door for Callie, and I get out on the other side. My palms are clammy as she takes my arm, and I keep my gaze locked on the doors up ahead.
When we reach security, she shows our tickets, and the second we turn the corner inside, she lets me go.
“I couldn’t get you a seat with us without Colby finding out, but you won’t be far,” Callie says once we enter the main arena.
There are long tables set on the floor, each one displaying a team name plaque.
I read them as we walk by and smile to myself when I spot Vancouver Steelheads.
Colby won’t play for them because he’ll be snapped up way before it’s their turn to pick, though I know he’d love to play alongside Beau Rousseau.
As we reach the bottom of the stairs leading up to the lower bowl, where Callie is sitting, I glance up to find Colby sitting between his parents.
He looks so gorgeous, dressed in a navy blue suit and vest. His knee is bouncing a mile a minute as he chews on the side of his thumb.
There’s a pang in my chest at seeing him so nervous and not being able to calm him down, but I don’t want to be a distraction.
Later, I silently promise.
Eventually, I tear my eyes away from him and make my way to my seat. I have a clear view of the back of Colby’s head, and I bite back a smile at how unruly his hair is. Curls flick out above the collar of his shirt, pointing in every direction like they can’t be tamed.
I can’t wait to sink my fingers into it again. To breathe in the scent of his shampoo and feel the softness of it against my skin.
The moment the presentation begins, sweat trickles down my spine. Wiping my palms over the front of my pants, I remind myself to breathe as the commissioner takes to the stage. I try to pay attention to what he’s saying, but my gaze keeps straying back to Colby and the frantic bounce of his leg.
It’s all going to work out. There’s no need to panic.
The Boston Gargoyles management is invited up onto the stage as the first team to pick.
They start by thanking their fans for their support, and I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until they say,
“With the first overall selection in this year’s NHL draft, Boston Gargoyles are proud to select, from Whilton University, Colby McKay.”
Fuck, he did it.
He fucking did it.
A wave of euphoria rushes through my veins, sending tingles surging through my body. My eyes burn as they fill with tears, and I jump to my feet, clapping my hands hard.
There’s a roar of applause, and loud whistles echo around the room when Colby’s face appears on the screen beside the stage as he stands, a look of bewilderment on his face as he hugs his mom, then his dad and sister. All three of them have tears in their eyes, bursting with pride.
I don’t sit down when Colby makes his way down the stairs and onto the stage. He shakes hands with the commissioner, then the management of the Boston Gargoyles. The GM hands over his jersey, and my eyes widen when they land on the number on the back.
37.
He wore number 12 at Whilton U, and I’ve always worn 73, but I know both of those numbers are already taken at the Gargoyles, and I never thought to ask him what number he’d wear if his wasn’t available.
Did he…
Did he take my number and reverse it?
No, it couldn’t be that… Could it?
I wipe my eyes with the heel of my palm as he poses for photos, then disappears off the side of the stage.
Dropping into my chair, I take my phone out of my pocket with shaky hands and message Callie.
Think I might be hyperventilating
Is the plan still on?
A few minutes pass before she responds.
Callie
Yep! Meet me on the concourse in five minutes!
There’s no hiding the smile on my face as I make my way down the stairs, heart so fucking full for the guy who deserves the world.
The sky has turned dark outside the window as I pace a hole in the carpet of Colby’s room. Callie managed to get hold of Colby’s room key, giving me the perfect opportunity to surprise him.
It’s been hours since he was announced as the first overall draft pick, and I’m still in a state of shock.
Not that I ever doubted him. Not for one second.
Colby is a rare talent. A player who will no doubt break records and rewrite history.
I freeze at the sharp buzz of a mechanical lock engaging, and I watch the door with wide eyes as it opens with a soft whoosh.