Chapter 32
Jayden Allen
C olin Crown Arena is alive–the home team’s fans have come out in full force, filling every seat, while their voices bounce off the walls.
An energy rush flowed through me when we hit the ice for warmups, everything that I have worked for, that the team has worked for, comes down to the results over the next month.
Hockey has been my sole focus for the past two weeks because otherwise the only thought on my mind would be Willow Rogers and how the fuck I can win her back.
I want to show her that I’m not like the boys in her past; my love for her isn’t based on conditions that she must meet.
I give Willow my love because she is all I’ve ever wanted, even when I was being a fucking idiot. I love that she is unapologetically loud, and she doesn’t try to dim her fire because others can’t handle it.
Jaz said I need to give Willow space, so she can acknowledge her past, and I tend to agree. But that doesn’t mean I fucking like it.
All I want to do is touch her, talk to her about anything–honestly, I would take a conversation about the weather at this point.
“Allen,”
Coach West calls me to our bench, where two middle-aged women are standing beside him. Their brown hair is slicked back into a bun, and both are wearing hot pink suits, not caring about the stares they are receiving.
“Jayden,” Coach says, patting me on the shoulder. “These are the scouts I told you about in January.”
My eyes widen in recognition. I stick out my hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Jayden Allen.”
The women offer a tight-lipped smile but accepts my handshake.
“Lions recruit for next season. We know who you are. I’m Sarah, and this is Logan.”
“Really?” I’m taken aback, but recover quickly. “So, who are you affiliated with?”
A smirk curves on Sarah’s lips. “The LA Lions, but we aren’t just scouts. We will play for the PWHL team as well.”
I suck in a breath, my chest constricting. There is a chance Willow is moving to Los Angeles next year. Fuck me.
Now, I really want to talk to her. Show her that our future is right in front of us; we could be in it together if only she took a leap of faith and trusted me with her heart.
I’d protect it with my fucking life, if I had to.
I clear my throat. “Would you like me to introduce you to Willow?”
The women share a look. “That would be great,” Logan says.
“Rogers,” I yell, remaining in the entryway onto the ice.
Willow spins on the ice, facing me. I wave her over to join our conversation. She skates toward us, head tilted with clear confusion.
I wipe my hands against my jersey, sweat building on them. I'm pathetic. Am I really nervous to talk to a girl?
“What’s up?” Willow keeps her tone neutral and eyes off me.
I hate it.
“This is Sarah and Logan from the Los Angeles Lions.”
Willow’s eyes spark to life, and her focus turns to them. Then, her jaw drops. “Wait, you’re Sarah Marsh and Logan McCoy.” The women smile, a small chuckle leaving their lips.
Should I know who they are? Fuck, now I feel like an asshole.
“Yes, that’s correct. We wanted to discuss your plans after graduation.”
Willow fidgets with her fingers, no doubt on the verge of picking her nails. I watch her swallow, and it takes every ounce of control not to reach for her, to reassure her everything will be okay.
“Um…Well, I’m in the process of finding nutrition internships with NHL teams–”
“–What about hockey?” Logan interrupts. “Would you like to play professionally?”
“What? I mean, yes, in an ideal world I would love to.”
Sarah and Logan share another smirk. “And if we could offer you a chance to play? Would you take?”
Willow gasps, and her answer is immediate. “Yes.”
The women smile, handing Willow a business card. “We are staying for the game, but here is our card. I’d expect to be getting a lot of phone calls in the coming weeks, especially if you win the Frozen Four.”
Willow accepts the card with shaking hands. “I…I don’t even know what to say,”
“Say that you’ll think about the Lions as your first choice, would be great. I’m sure Jayden here could convince you to move to LA with him.”
My eyes haven’t left Willow the entire time, and finally, after a fucking eternity, she looks at me.
“Willow is stubborn,” I begin. “But I can be persuasive when I need to be.”
A pink hue forming on her cheeks. Another thing I love: making Willow blush.
“We’ll leave you guys to it. Good luck tonight.”
The three of us wave them off, and Coach ditches Willow and I straight away.
Something about rounding up the boys but I can tell he is full of shit. He has been giving me looks at training so I’m sure he knows something went down.
A sigh escapes my throat. The silence between us is eating me up, and I don’t know how much more I can handle.
I turn to leave but Willow stops me, grabbing my wrist. She doesn’t say anything, just leans closer and wraps her arms around my neck. Willow is hugging me. My heart is racing as I feel her body in my arms for the first time in weeks.
This is progress, right?
Willow doesn’t break the hug, clinging to me tighter. She whispers two words against my skin over and over. “Thank you.”
Eventually, the rest of the team heads toward us with the coaches, forcing us to break apart. I move into the locker rooms lighter than before. There is a chance that Willow is finally understanding the lengths I’ll go to when she is involved.
All I need is that chance.