Page 147 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“I lost a bit of myself the night I hit that that Vancouver brick wall. But finding you…you’ve helped me remember that there’s more to life than hockey. I was festering upstairs, convincing myself that my time with the Vipers was over, that they’re going to trade me at the first opportunity because they’ve got Monroe now. And that was the best of it. What if my knee doesn’t heal properly? Then it wouldn’t just be my time with the Vipers that’s over, but my entire career. Then what? Would I have to go back to Texas and finally live the life my family wants for me?”

“No,” Sienna says forcefully, her hands coming up to rest on my chest, the hoodie cascading to the floor once again. “That’s not going to happen. This isn’t the end for you.”

“Hopefully not. But if it is, you give me hope that it’ll be okay. Life isn’t over because I’m forced to play for another team with other players around me. And if I have to start coaching, or scouting, or reporting, then so be it. Hockey is my life. Even if I’m not playing, it’s always going to be a part of who I am.”

“You’ll play for the Vipers again, Calvin. I know it. And when you do, I’ll be there in the crowd, proudly wearing your jersey.”

A wide smile spreads across my face.

“Yeah?” I ask, my heart racing a little too fast as I picture the image she’s painting.

“Of course. I’ll be there. I promise.”

Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.

I knew there was a reason I was waiting for her.

41

SIENNA

Despite all the ungentlemanly-like things Calvin had done to my body, just like the night before, he kissed me good night at my front door and took himself upstairs to bed. And just like the night before, I was desperate to ask him to stay.

You’re taking it slow.

It doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself those four words; I really want to throw caution to the wind and dive in with two feet.

I’ve never felt anything like it before.

When I’m with him, he quiets the fear that’s lingered within me for years. With every touch, he eradicates another painful memory, replacing them with ones I keep finding myself thinking about during the most inappropriate times.

Like earlier, when I was giving a client a pedicure. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation and instead chose to read her book, leaving me to do my job and to allow my mind to drift.

Bea knew I was distracted; she was also more than aware of why. I guess that’s what happens when she also spends her nights with a reformed fuckboy. There are some benefits that come with the man you’re sleeping with having plenty of practice. Not that I want to think about that too much. But damn, he’s got skills.

Tuesday at work is crazy. I had clients back to back and long into the evening, thanks to my few days off. It was worth it, though—getting to spend time with my family, and then yesterday with both Bea and Calvin.

When I step out of the elevator that evening, it’s weird not to see Calvin standing at my door, waiting for me. I wasn’t expecting him, though. With Bea also working late—which I think she only did to ensure she could get more details out of me, because she had suspiciously few clients booked and kept swinging by to ask me about the night before whenever I had a free five seconds—the guys have plans.

After what Calvin confessed to me last night about how he felt after his injury, I’m glad he’s taking time to spend with them. They’re not just his teammates, put together by their GM and forced to spend time together; they’re so much more than that, and I think now more than ever, Calvin needs to know that.

After showering, I barely had the energy to warm up my dinner before I crawled into bed with the TV playing in the background. I can’t say I paid much attention to it, though, because from the moment I messaged Calvin to let him know I was home, I was lost in conversation with him. I kept reminding him that he was meant to be hanging out with the guys. He kept assuring me that he was, but that he’d missed me, and honestly, I didn’t have the kind of strength needed to argue with him. So instead, I kept replying until I fell asleep, which was long before I heard any movement upstairs.

I woke this morning with excitement fluttering in my stomach. Not only am I going to see him later, but I’m also getting to watch a game. Access to the best seats is definitely another benefit of dating Calvin.

Before I left for work, I hung up my outfit for tonight in my bedroom, a smile playing on my lips as I stared at his jersey. The only thing better than watching the game in person with him would be to see him out there.

This time next year, it’ll happen. And just like I’ve told him, I have every confidence that when he gets back on that ice, he’ll be even stronger and more powerful than before. After what could be a year out, he’s going to have a fire in his belly like never before, and the need to prove his place will be unmatched.

Despite once again having back-to-back clients, my day drags. I spend almost all of it clock-watching, counting down the hours until I get to see him.

I feel like a schoolgirl with a giddy crush on a boy, and I love it. I was under the illusion we didn’t get that feeling as adults, but apparently, I was wrong. I just hadn’t met a man who could give me butterflies.

“Is it time to go yet?” I ask when I walk into our small staff room and see Bea sitting at the desk with a laptop in front of her.

“Anyone would think you don’t want to be here,” she deadpans.

“I feel pathetic saying this, because I saw him Monday night, but I miss him.” I’m pouting as I drop onto the small couch. Even this room is flooded with memories of him. Everywhere I look, he’s all I can see. It’s crazy.