Chapter 36
Jordan
Madison Square Garden is always loud. I have a love-hate relationship with playing here.
The fans are rabid so being the visiting team can be challenging.
At the same time, it’s one of the most famous arenas in the world, and every little boy dreams of growing up and getting to play hockey at MSG.
I’m lucky in that sense, and I try to keep that in mind as we skate out for the warm-up, but it’s a struggle to focus.
All I’ve been thinking about is Victoria.
What I’m going to say when I see her.
Whether or not I should bite the bullet and buy her a ring.
What I’ll do if she refuses to stand up to her parents.
If she doesn’t love me enough to try…
It’s making my head spin.
“Jordan.” Jude’s voice is low next to mine as we wait for our turn to shoot a few pucks at the net.
“Yeah?” I glance up at his strange tone.
“You should skate a lap.”
I frown. “What?”
“Go skate over to the glass by center ice.”
“How come?”
“Would you just listen to me for once?”
“Geez, chill. I’m going.” I turn and start toward the glass.
That’s when I see her.
Big green eyes watching me intently.
Soft wavy hair curling around her shoulders.
Sweet lips slightly parted.
Victoria.
Standing up against the glass with a sign that reads: “I choose you.”
That’s all. No name, no number, just three simple words. But that’s really all I need or care about.
I skate over to her, wishing there wasn’t a barrier between us. I press a hand to the glass, splaying my fingers and she puts hers against it from the other side. Then our eyes meet and neither of us move. I don’t want to do this here, in front of an audience, but I can’t seem to look away.
Part of me can’t believe she’s here, but another part—one I keep buried deep—somehow knew she would.
“Hi,” I mouth after a moment. “What are you doing here?”
Smiles and points to the sign. Then she raises a fist and gently taps it twice over her heart.
Fuck but I love this woman.
I don’t know what’s changed but it doesn’t matter.
We have so much to talk about—but I have to get my head in the game for the next three hours or so.
“I have to go,” I say reluctantly.
“I know.” She nods.
I smile, wink, and then skate back to where Jude is watching me with a smirk.
“She’s here,” I say needlessly.
“I know.” He grins. “She called Chloe to figure out where we were, and I got her a ticket.”
“Thanks for that.”
He nods. “Of course. Chloe said she was a nervous wreck when they met up. She was actually a bit worried about her, she looked so pale and tired.”
I wince.
That’s my fault and something I’m going to fix the moment we have a chance to talk.
Because she chose me.
Finally.
She made her choice and I plan to do everything in my power to make sure she never regrets it.
“She overthinks things sometimes,” I say carefully. “But I hope once we talk, she’ll feel better about everything. I should’ve bought a ring, dammit.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t rush into anything. Talk first. Reconnect. Have the tough conversations. Get your footing as a couple. Then buy the ring.”
“Yes, oh masterful one.”
“Fuck off with that.”
We both laugh.
Hockey first, then I’m getting my girl back and never letting her go.
* * *
We pull off a shutout, so the mood in the locker room is jovial. Guys are laughing and joking, there are some members of the press milling around, but I make a beeline for the showers. I do more than my share of talking to reporters after most games, so I can get a pass tonight.
“The girls are meeting us back at the hotel,” Jude calls to me as I get dressed. “No need to rush.”
“Thanks.” We’re staying at a hotel in midtown, since we’re playing the other New York team the day after tomorrow. There’s a bus that will transport us but I don’t want to wait.
I pull out my phone and text Victoria.
JORDAN: Hey, where are you?
VICTORIA: Trying to catch a cab so we can go back to the hotel.
JORDAN: Wait for me—I’m coming out. Where are you exactly?
VICTORIA: According to Chloe, I’m at the southeast corner of west thirty-third and eighth avenue.
JORDAN: Stay there. I’m coming.
VICTORIA: Aren’t you supposed to ride with the team?
JORDAN: I think I can sneak away this one time. I’ll let you know if Coach shoots me down.
VICTORIA: I’ll be here. The girls are willing to wait with me.
I put my phone in my pocket and turn to Jude. “Can you make sure my bag gets to the hotel? I’m going to meet the girls.”
He frowns. “Jordan…”
“I’ll tell Coach, no worries.” With that, I turn and head for the exit.
After a quick chat with Coach Petrov, I pull my hat low over my brow and make a beeline for the exit. I don’t know exactly where I’m going since I usually leave through a private exit with the team but a couple of attendants set me in the right direction and before I know it, I’m out on the street.
I’ve been to New York a bunch of times with the team, and have walked around enough to know where I am. I make a right and head for Thirty-third. I see her standing there in jeans and a jacket, hair cascading around her shoulders, chatting with Chloe and Hana.
Fuck, Victoria’s pretty.
I approach the ladies with a smile.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I say casually.
“Good game,” Chloe responds.
“There’s a cab!” Hana says, nudging Chloe. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Victoria!”
“Bye!” She waves and then turns to me.
Once again, our eyes meet and it feels like a million emotions shoot through me in that moment. I’m equal parts nervous and excited, because I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen but I now know that she loves me as much as I love her. In the end, that’s the most important thing.
“Hey, baby.” I put my hands at her waist and pull her close, staring down into her beautiful, expressive eyes. “You’re here. With me.”
I’m still a little in awe over it. Everything was up in the air and she did the one thing I wasn’t sure she would ever do. Or maybe I knew it all along—I just wasn’t willing to let myself believe it. And it feels so fucking good to know we’re in this together.
She seems to be studying my face. “I’m really sorry about…everything.”
“It’s okay. All that matters is that you’re here now.” I run my knuckles across her cheek. “You look tired, though.”
“I wasn’t sleeping or eating,” she admits. “It’s been a rough few days.”
“Then let’s get back to the hotel so you can rest. We have plenty of time to talk. Are you hungry?” I lace my fingers through hers.
“No, the girls made me eat earlier.”
“Okay.” I hold out my arm with my free hand, thankful when a taxi stops for us right away.
I get in after her, give the driver the address and then slide an arm around her shoulders, pulling her flush against my side.
It’s like I can’t stop touching her, feeling the warmth of her skin.
In fact, I’m having a tough time believing it’s real.
That’s she’s finally mine. How long have I waited for this?
It feels like a dream-come-true and the embodiment of hopes and dreams I hadn’t yet articulated.
“What changed your mind?” I ask after a while.
“A lot of things. One was a firm but necessary lecture from Terri. The other was my mom’s hypocrisy.
One minute, Dad’s blood pressure is so high she’s afraid he’s going to stroke out.
The next, he’s playing soccer with Charlie in the yard like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
He also refuses to see his doctor. I started to realize just how much they manipulate me. ”
He nods. “I’m sorry it’s like that.”
“Terri pointed out that they may be afraid of becoming empty nesters, although I don’t think Ivy is going anywhere any time soon.
By the time she finishes her class, takes and passes the exam, and then starts actually selling and making money, it’ll be months before she saves enough to get her own place. ”
“Yeah, it takes a while to get on your feet with that.”
“Regardless, I need to start living my life. My parents won’t like it, but as long as you and I are on the same page, they have to understand that we love each other.” She pauses. “You do love me, don’t you?”
I chuckle, taking one of her hands and bringing it to my lips so I can kiss the inside of her wrist. “You really have to ask? After all we’ve been through and how long I’ve waited…”
“I just…” She sighs, her eyes fluttering closed. “I didn’t know how mad you were.”
“I was disappointed and frustrated, not mad.” I lean over to kiss the tip of her nose.
“I also should apologize for my knee-jerk reaction and ending things the way I did. I was afraid I was losing you again and it was the only way I could protect myself from that inevitable broken heart I desperately wanted to avoid.”
“I was afraid too,” she says. “And my heart was pretty shattered. That’s why I knew I had to come to New York and make things right. It just took a few days for me to get my head on straight.”
“So, we’re good, now, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, I had a thought.”
“What kind of thought?”
I take a breath, because this is going to change everything. For both of us.
“How about we start looking for a house? We’re probably not going to find something we love right away, so why not use this time while you’re finishing school to start the search?
It’ll give me time to work on your parents and ease them into it.
But if they threaten to cut you off, you can move in with me at Jude and Chloe’s.
I’d already asked before we broke up, and they’re fine with it. ”
“You already asked them?” Her eyes puddle with tears and then she buries her face in my shoulder.
“I want us to be together, but I’m willing to be patient because I want you to be happy. I don’t want the early days of our relationship filled with anger, resentment, or guilt. Let’s do our best to do this right this time.”
“That’s what I want too,” she murmurs. “But I need you to know I’m ready. If they don’t come around, I’m not going anywhere. I really do love you, Jordan. More than anything in the world. And I don’t want to live without you another second.”