Chapter 35 Boone
It’s been only two days since I last saw Rosie, yet the time apart has been excruciating.
We spent all of Saturday night together, and all of Sunday too. Lazy morning kisses blurred into tangled sheets, and the afternoons passed quietly with us working side by side.
I unpacked boxes she’d long since forgotten about while she answered work emails and watched me with those pretty soft eyes. Then I finally installed a home security system in her place, shirtless.
It wasn’t necessary, but I liked the way her gaze felt on me while I worked which quickly led to us fucking on the couch and watching snow drift down over the lake outside her living room window.
It was exactly what I think we both needed. Time away from the cameras. Away from pretending and performing. Time to see who we really are to each other when no one’s watching.
And even though the conversation we desperately needed hovered at the edge of my thoughts all weekend, I didn’t push it.
I could tell she wasn’t ready yet. That we both needed a little more space to just exist together, to learn the shape of us, without the weight of the future pressing down quite so hard.
Leaving her warm bed and even warmer body to head back to Manhattan was the last thing I wanted to do, but a last-minute call from Coach changed everything.
He needed me back for an early Monday pre-game practice, and there was no way I could risk train delays or show up too exhausted to play on Tuesday.
So, reluctantly, I left Brookhaven, kissed Rosie goodbye, and made my way back to the city, the ache of leaving her setting in before I’d even reached the station.
Monday came and went in a blur of stretching, recovery drills, and mindset exercises.
It wasn’t physically taxing, but by the time I made it home that evening, all I wanted was to see her. Except she was stuck at the office dealing with a case gone sideways, and by the time she was free, I’d already crashed for bed. Game-day bedtime rules.
I dragged myself to sleep, hoping she’d come to bed with me when she got home later but she never did.
I thought I’d spot her in the stands Tuesday night.
But she wasn’t there either.
Not in the seats she usually claims, not tucked near the sidelines flashing me her pretty smile, not anywhere. And I blame her for my performance being rough.
I didn’t completely tank, but the rhythm felt off, like a song played in the wrong key. My eyes kept darting toward the crowd, scanning for her face, desperate to find her even though something in my gut told me she wasn’t coming.
As soon as the game ended, I made a beeline for the locker room, dodging reporters and brushing past Coach, who thankfully didn’t push for post-game interviews.
I just needed my phone. Needed to know why she wasn’t there. Needed to know that she was okay.
Unlocking my screen, the relief is immediate when I see her text from four hours earlier:
Rosie: I’m so, so sorry. I won’t be at your game tonight. Dierks and I need to stay behind and work on a case that’s gone sideways. I’m so sorry. Good luck. I’ll see you later tonight.
And there’s another text right after hers from my brother.
Levi: Looked bad out there on the ice. Need your big brother to come give you some tips?
I type back instantly.
Boone: Fuck you.
Boone: Come visit. You’d like Brookhaven and my wife.
Levi: I’ll be down soon. Love you little bro.
I exhale and slide my phone back into my bag, shaking my head.
“You played like shit,” Penn says, his voice cutting through the hum of the locker room.
I glance up, scowling. “No, I didn’t. I never play like shit.”
He snorts, pulling off his jersey. “Well, it wasn’t your best work. Do you know how extra hard I have to work on defense with you guys up there fucking around playing with the puck like it’s your dicks?”
“Had stuff on my mind,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Uh-oh,” he says with a smirk. “Trouble in paradise with the wife already?”
I don’t respond right away. Because no, there’s no trouble. Not even close. Things with Rosie have been incredible—insane, honestly. Every time I think about her, I smile. It’s like I can’t get enough. She’s in my head constantly.
I am willingly and obviously in love with my wife.
Feels good to know that. It’d feel even better to tell her that.
The truth is, Rosie grounds me. She’s the reason I’ve been so locked in lately, so focused. Without her here, it’s like everything feels a little off kilter.
I run a hand over my face, sighing. “No trouble. Things are… amazing, actually.”
Penn raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Amazing, huh? Then what has you down?”
“Just... something else.”
He nods. “Your final court appearance is tomorrow?”
“Yeah, my lawyer thinks everything’ll get dismissed by the end of the day.”
He nods, his shoulders easing like he’s been carrying the weight himself which would make sense since he's the one who started the damn fight and should actually be on trial, not me.
“That’s good, man. Real good.” He tugs at the back of his neck nervously like there’s something else he wants to say then finally mutters fuck it under his breath. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about… you know, me and Anastasia.”
Honestly, if it weren’t for Rosie casually mentioning she ran into my ex-fiancé Anastasia in the skybox, or the fleeting comment she made this weekend after I’d left her breathless for the third time, I wouldn’t have even known Penn was seeing her.
And I don’t care. Anastasia’s not someone who crosses my mind these days. She became the past the moment I ended our engagement, and that’s exactly where she’s staying. I don’t think about her. I don’t reminisce. That chapter of my life feels like someone else’s’.
I shake my head and squeeze his shoulder, giving him an easy grin. “There’s nothing to talk about. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
His brows pinch, like he was expecting more of a reaction. Maybe even a fight. But when have I ever been the guy to start one?
“Yeah, I just… I dunno, it kind of just happened. She showed up at the apartment, saying she was looking for something she left there when you two were together, and… things snowballed. It’s casual, don’t worry.”
Of course it is. Penn’s never had a serious girlfriend in his life. And even if it was serious, I wouldn’t give a shit. If he wants to dive in with her, that’s his call. He’s a grown man, and I’m not about to play the role of relationship referee over someone that doesn’t concern me anymore.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and head toward the showers. “Look, man, I promise you, I don’t care, and I definitely don’t need the details.”
“Hey,” he calls after me, his voice carrying across the room. “You’re really happy with Rosie, huh?”
The grin that spreads across my face feels damn near permanent. “Yeah, man. She’s the love of my life.”
He nods, smiling like he gets it when I know he doesn’t, and I turn away, ready to see my girl.
◆◆◆
Thirty minutes later, I’m clean, changed, and finally stepping out of the locker room.
The stadium’s quiet now. It’s the kind of stillness that settles after the chaos of screaming fans with inappropriate signs waving in the sky about how they want to puck me. It’s late, but just as I’m about to hail a cab, my phone buzzes in my hand with Rosie’s name across the screen.
“Hey, babe,” I answer without thinking.
“Boone, I’m so sorry,” Rosie says, her voice a little breathless, like she’s been running around her office all night.
There’s a small part of me that wants to drive there and bring her home with me so that she has to stop working, and another stronger, prouder part of her that knows she loves what she does and is the best entertainment lawyer in the whole city.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, cutting her off gently. “I get it.”
There’s a pause on the other end, her hesitation crackling through the line.
“Look, my dad blew up at me for not being at the game tonight. Something about it being our last chance to make a public appearance as a couple before your court date. Any chance you can meet me at Keating’s Bar right now?
I know it isn't high class, but it's all I could get a reservation for so last minute. I’m leaving the office, and the PR team already tipped off the cameras that we’d be dining there tonight. ”
I adjust my bag and chuckle under my breath. “Who’d have thought your dad would ever be pissed that we’re not spending enough time together?”
I can hear the smile in her voice. “I know. Ridiculous, right?” she lowers her voice softly. “If only he knew.”
That makes me smile. I wish he knew the things we’ve done and the way I care for his daughter. I hate lying and this feels like a lie of omission.
“But look, it’s our last shot to make you look great before your court appearance. After tomorrow, you and Cain can finally put all this to rest.”
And our marriage ends too…
I shake that thought off. “Alright, babe. I’ll meet you there in ten.”
The drive to the restaurant is a blur, the city lights streaking by as my thoughts swirl. By the time we pull up, I barely register the valet opening my door. Stepping out, I hear another car door behind me and turn just as Rosie appears.
She rushes into my arms, wrapping herself around my neck as the photographers snap away. I hug her close, grounding myself in the feel of her, like a missing piece finally locking into place.
This isn't for show. This is how we really feel about each other now. We miss each other when we’re apart, and when we reunite, it’s like coming back to ourselves.
I start to pull back, ready to sling an arm around her shoulder like we always do for the cameras, but she surprises me. Instead of letting go, she holds me tighter. Her hands thread into my hair, tugging just enough to send a shiver down my spine. Her eyes are soft and she’s smiling.
Full faced, perfectly straight teeth, adoring eyes.
Then, she kisses me.