Chapter 22
CALEB
Training won’t begin until the team roster for the Mavericks is filled. It doesn’t mean I can’t keep my conditioning up. I meet up with Theo in the morning to hit the gym, then we go for an afternoon skate at our new practice rink.
“Three weeks off from the ice and you’re going soft on me,” Theo jokes when he finishes a skating drill before me.
I grab my water bottle off the boards and squirt it into my mouth, huffing. “Okay, maybe I went a little hard on the baked goods during my time keeping my head down from the shitty PR storm.”
“That’s on you for dating a bakery owner.”
“And I wouldn’t change a damn thing about it,” I shoot back with a grin. “Except the dating part. That’s my future wife you’re talking about.”
It feels fucking good to say it. My wife. I can’t wait to call Holly that.
The minute I think she’s ready, I’m putting my ring on her finger. I already started shopping around for the perfect one worthy of my sparkling girl.
Theo smirks, shaking his head. “You and Alex are the same. All obsessed and shit. That’s not my style. I’ll stick to hook ups only.”
I match his expression. “You say that now. Then the right one comes along and boom—” I thump the front of his jersey with my fist over his heart. “—you’re a goner.”
“Nah. Not for me.”
“I look forward to the day you meet someone who makes you eat those words,” I taunt with a chuckle.
We move away from the boards. Theo collects a puck with his stick from the pile we dumped by the net and starts a one on one scrimmage against me.
The last time we faced off with each other was years ago during a showcase game. Most of the times our old teams played each other during the regular season, we were on different lines and never saw time on the ice as opponents in an official game.
He skates in circles around me with clean edge work that stokes a competitive fire in my chest. The drive that made me strive for this career with everything I had to give reawakens.
I get serious and push myself, stealing the puck and flying down the ice. Theo whoops and hauls ass after me.
With him breathing down my neck, I take the shot on the net, crowing with my fist in the air when it sails into the crease.
I feel fucking alive again. Exhilaration and determination pump through my veins. My love for the game is unshakable.
Sitting out of the rest of this season will be worth it when opening night rolls around in October.
We go a few more rounds, each of us bagging a win. I haven’t had this much fun in ages. Probably as far back as my college days.
I’m drenched in sweat by the time we finish. My damp hair curls against my forehead. I shake it out and slick it back as we skate to the boards.
Theo downs half his water bottle and nudges my phone. “Your brother texted. How is he? I miss that kid.”
“He’s good. Did you see his game last night?”
“Hell yeah. I taught him how to make that beauty of a shot when he was a rookie,” he boasts.
“No, I taught him how when he was learning how to skate on my grandparents’ pond.” My brows jump up as I grab my phone and read Elijah’s message and a shocked scoff escapes me. “Oh shit.”
“What is it?”
“You know how Sonia set me up with a meeting to talk to the team’s PR manager? I got the go ahead to make a statement on what happened with Chet at that bar.”
It felt good to speak out about Chet’s character and my belief that he—and anyone like him who disregards a woman’s consent or is a danger to women in any way—has no place in hockey or any other sport. Organizations shouldn’t be protecting or making any kind of concessions for them, either.
The post I made yesterday has thousands of likes and too many comments agreeing with me to keep up with.
“This article Elijah sent me says he’s being put on the inactive list pending investigation by the league after charges were brought against him from another incident he was involved in last year.”
Theo gives a low whistle. “I hope he’s kicked out of the league.”
“It’s what he deserves. Guys like him don’t belong in hockey.”
“Damn right. Ready to call it and hit the showers?”
“Sounds good.”
He smirks, skating backwards towards the exit to the locker room once we’ve cleaned up the equipment. “Are we getting a bite to eat after this?”
I chuckle, jostling him when I skate by. “I’m going home to my girl.”
“No teammate bonding? No love for your buddy?” He messes around with me by gripping my jersey and making me tow him.
“Not as much as I love her.”
I stroll through the crowd of post-holiday shoppers, eager to get home to Holly at the bakery. As I sidestep to move out of the way for an elderly couple, something in the antique store’s display window catches my eye.
A snow globe. The base has ceramic pink bows circling it and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a cabin scene inside. Immediately, I think of Holly.
The bell rings when I enter the store to buy it for her. My nose tickles with the urge to sneeze at the aged scent clinging to the air.
I find the snow globe, pleased to find it is a cabin along with a small figurine of a couple waving in front of it. With a shake, white flurries swirl inside along with flakes of pink and gold glitter. It’s perfect.
“Do you know any recommendations where I can get this engraved?” I ask while purchasing it.
“The jewelry store two doors down offers a personalization service,” the clerk answers.
“Thank you.”
Gift in hand, I find the jewelry store and drop it off for engraving before I head to the bakery.
It’s as packed as the busy sidewalk outside. There’s a line at the counter six people deep and a few tables have empty plates.
I collect them and wipe the tables down, helping a mother slide two of the tables together for her children to eat at.
Holly doesn’t spot me right away, too occupied taking care of her customers. When she does, she spares me a quick smile and a wave before getting back to it.
“Are you out of these maple cookies?” The man placing his order taps the empty spot in the display case.
Holly presses on her tiptoes to see. “It looks like I am. Sorry about that, I didn’t realize the last one sold. If you’ll wait just a moment, I’ve got a fresh batch about to come out of the oven. How many would you like?”
“Three,” he decides.
She plasters on a smile and rings him up. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
It’s not her real, effortless smile. I rub at the hot sensation irritating my chest.
It drives a wedge through me seeing her pushing herself to the brink like this. Tired. Overwhelmed. Fighting on her own to keep it all in check.
She’s not alone. She has me at her side.
I’m filled with the need to take the weight she carries from her before she needs to ask. I want to do this for her every day for the rest of our lives.
I’ll become the support she can trust will always be there for her to lean on from here on out.
Without a word, I step behind the counter as she ducks into the back and sanitize my hands at the sink. I greet the next customer in line with a friendly smile.
“How’s it going today? What can I get started for you?”
“Two chocolate muffins,” the woman replies.
“Coming right up.” I grab the tongs in the case and bag the muffins before ringing up the total with the touchscreen display.
Holly falters in the doorway when she returns, giving me a glassy-eyed look that makes me want to wrap her in my arms and protect her from the entire world.
We work in tandem through the rest of the line. Once it’s calmed down, I sweep the shop again to bus the tables and take the dirty dishes to the kitchen to wash. Before starting them, I message Layla.
Caleb
You don’t start your new job until after New Year’s once you’re at your new place in Mayfield, right?
Layla
Yup. Mom’s made an excuse to go shopping every day. She’s sad I’m leaving her. It’s not like I’m going far [laughing emoji]
Caleb
Then you’re free this week?
Layla
Why, what’s up?
Caleb
We could use a hand at Holly’s. She won’t admit it yet, but I want to call in reinforcements for her.
Layla
Done!!! My girl needs me? I’m there.
Caleb
See if Mom is free too. Do you have her family’s numbers?
Layla
I’m on it. Leave operation bestie support squad to me.
Caleb
Thank you.
Layla
I’m really glad she has you. She needs someone who can love her right.
Caleb
That’s all I want to do.
Layla
What happened in that cabin?
Caleb
I’m not telling you that.
Layla
I’m just curious. You seem serious.
Caleb
I am. She’s it for me.
Layla
Sooooo… should I expect certain shiny news in the future? [Ring emoji]
Caleb:
[smirk emoji]
Layla
Caleb!!!!!!
She sends a short video of herself shrieking and running around in excitement. Tucking my phone away with a satisfied huff of amusement, I roll my sleeves up and wash the dishes.
Not long after, Holly comes in and plops on a stool. “Today was nonstop. But I made it to closing time without a breakdown. Score.”
I finish drying the plates with a frown. “As an athlete I understand mental stress, but I don’t think that’s a win if you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
She waves me off. “I’m fine. Just being dramatic.”
Stacking the dishes, I start wiping down the work tables and listen while she talks.
“This is the bakery’s first full year being open through the holidays, so I’m learning a lot. Next year I think I should bring in extra part-timers to manage the front.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
She slides off her seat and attempts to help me clean up. I encourage her back to it to relax, but she spins to face me.
“The holiday rush is great for business, but I barely had time to do anything today. The cookie order I started this morning never got decorated. Can you believe I almost burnt my cinnamon rolls twice trying to multitask, and—”
I lock my arms around her mid sentence. She stills, then softens, melding against me.
“Thank you,” she murmurs into my chest.
“For what?”
“Helping.”
My arms tighten. “You know if you need help, it’s okay to ask? You don’t have to do it all on your own.”
She nods, then wriggles closer. “I want to just stay like this.”
My chin rests on her head. “I’m not letting go.”
“I still have two more designs to finish for the big party order.” She sighs, pulling back. “Maybe I should tell Layla we could have our New Year’s here instead.”
I catch her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss. “Planning to work all night?”
Her expression is caught out. “Um…”
“It’s time for a break.”
She appears like she’s going to fight me. Is that how it is? I can deal with this.
The corner of my mouth lifts and I throw her over my shoulder. She clings to the back of my shirt, laughing. The lighthearted sound eases my concern for her.
“Caleb!”
“No arguing, sugar. You’re done with work for the day.”
Holly gives in, instructing me how to close the bakery for the night when I refuse to let her down because I know she’ll find something to do.
After locking up, I carry her upstairs to her apartment and spend the rest of the night pampering the shit out of my future wife. First, by making her dinner and washing her hair when we shower, then by worshipping her with my tongue until she’s thoroughly ravished.