Presley #2
“Same as you, it seems.” Stephen reaches around him and pops a pepper slice into his mouth. “I came to talk to my girl.”
Chance grunts. “Your girl?”
I snap my fingers in front of their faces. “Listen to me, and listen good. You can’t just show up at my house. I have a life. I have kids to take care of. If I’m not calling or texting you, it doesn’t give you an open invitation to stalk me.”
Chance keeps his eyes on the meat as he seasons it, and gives me a curt nod.
Stephen plants his hands on his hips and lets out a long breath through his lips.
“Look, I’m sorry for barging in like this.
But I’ve been going crazy since I saw you at the game the other night.
I’ve wondered what happened to you for years, and now you’re standing in front of me. I can’t believe it.”
Without warning, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in for a hug.
This man has always worn his heart on his sleeve. It’s the thing I love most about him. He says what he feels, and he means what he says. He’s never ashamed of who he is—and he shouldn’t be. He’s one of the greatest people I’ve ever known.
I sink into his embrace, and inhale the familiar scent of his cologne. Tears sting my eyes as reality sets in.
My boys are back.
They’re here.
And I know they’re not really my boys, but to me, it feels like they always will be.
I pull back and drop my gaze, trying to hide the evidence of my emotions.
But Chance’s fingers tip my chin until I’m looking into his eyes. “Do I get one of those too?”
I slip my arms around his midsection, squeezing him as his arms come up around my shoulders. His tight muscles relax against me, and he lets out a long sigh.
Where would we have ended up had I not left them junior year? What would’ve happened to us when they got drafted to the NHL and we inevitably parted ways? It’s a question I’ve wondered for years, if I made the right choice.
I never expected to see them again, let alone to have them standing in my kitchen.
And I can’t help the excitement bubbling under the surface.
Where will we go from here?
By the time dinner is over, Stephen has us all doubled over with laughter—even Avery.
The kid doesn’t smile much, but when he does, it’s a brilliant one that could rival the sun.
“Can you come to my field hockey game on Friday?” Alyssa asks.
I hold my hand up to interject. “Oh, I don’t think they—”
“I have a game this Friday,” Stephen says. “But I’ll have your Aunt Presley send me your schedule, and I’ll see when I can come watch you.”
Alyssa beams, but my stomach twists with unease. These kids have been through a lot, and I’m hesitant to introduce new people into their lives, especially if they aren’t going to be permanent.
“Okay, guys. Upstairs and get ready for bed.” I point my index finger at Alyssa. “You have to do your twenty-minutes of reading tonight, plus the twenty you owe me from last night.”
She grumbles. The kid hates reading, and it’s literally like a knife to my chest every time she says it.
Who hates reading?! It’s blasphemy.
Avery hops up from the table. “Rock, paper, scissors to see who has to shower first?”
The duo scampers into the hallway, yelling about best out of three.
I blow out a long breath through my lips, and lift my eyes between Stephen and Chance. “Well, now you see what I’ve been busy doing for the last four years.”
Stephen shakes his head. “You’re incredible for doing this on your own.”
Chance nods. “I just wish you would’ve told us.”
I roll my eyes. “Come on. You two were getting drafted into the NHL. I was here helping two kids grieve the loss of their mother, while trying to grieve the loss of my sister at the same time.”
“And...?” Chance’s dark brows pinch together. “You think I wouldn’t have come running to help you?”
“That’s the point. I didn’t want to ruin your chances at the life you have now.” I pause, emotion lodging itself in my throat again. “I’m so proud of you both. You’ve made your dreams come true.”
“Regardless, the universe pushed us back together again.” Stephen’s hopeful blue eyes stare into mine before he turns to Chance. “The three of us.”
I gesture between them. “Have you two been—”
“No.” Chance’s reply is instant and final.
They haven’t been together...since the three of us were?
“He’s still hockey’s mysterious bachelor.” Stephen’s voice drips with disdain. Even after all this time, he’s still bitter about the fact that Chance keeps his sexuality hidden from the world.
Chance rolls his eyes and rises from his seat. “It’s getting late. I should get going.”
“And still running from the truth,” Stephen sing-songs.
Chance’s jaw clenches as he flips him off. “Always a fucking pleasure.”
I stand and walk him toward the front door. “Thanks for taking over dinner tonight.”
Chance turns to face me when he gets to the door, his dark eyes roaming over my face. “Thanks for letting me in.”
I reach up and brush his dark strands out of his eyes. “I know I hurt you when I left, and I’m sorry, Chance. I just thought it would hurt less that way.”
He catches my wrist and presses my palm to his cheek, closing his eyes as he leans into my touch. “It hurt all the same.”
I realize that now.
I pull back my hand and let it drop at my side. “I hope you can get closure now.”
“Closure?” Something flashes in his eyes as they narrow. “You think that’s what this is?”
I hike a shoulder. “What else would it be?”
We can’t have what we once shared. Not again. Not after all this time. Not when I’m raising two children who need me. Our lives are so different now.
Stephen steps up beside us, and leans down to press a kiss to my temple. “Pretty girl, this is just the beginning.”
They’re out the door before I can say anything, before I can ask...
What does that mean?