Page 90 of Instigator

Now it’ll be the four of us. I like that idea.

They make a point to come up for breakfast almost every morning we’re home, and she still comes to our games. He and I still carpool most days. The only real difference is she’s sleeping downstairs at his place. Plus the public displays of affection.

I kind of get it now, though. Whenever Ceci’s around, I want to touch her. Not in a sexual way. Just a simple she’s mine, and I’m hers, and we belong together type way.

Maybe it’s too soon. We’ve only been dating officially for a few weeks. But when I think about the last seven years… This was inevitable. As soon as we connected in real life, it all escalated so quickly, and even though my head is spinning, it feels right.

Ryan sets a plate in front of Hailey, kissing the top of her head, before he returns a moment later with a plate for himself.

I look around the table, and my entire body vibrates with a buzz of contentment.

Ceci.

My sister.

My best friend.

My family.

How is this my life? How did I get so lucky?

Hailey and Ceci talk about the foundation and their meeting this morning. Hailey’s bitched about Heidi a few times, and Ceci is dreading the inevitable confrontation coming today.

Last week, she emailed Heidi about our relationship, and I sent an official notice to the GM after the conversation in Coach’s office. I don’t think they’ll have an issue with us being together, but there may be repercussions from the shower incident. I’ll take it as it comes. Ceci is worth it.

After breakfast, Hailey and Ryan go back downstairs, Ceci and I shower and get dressed, and I drive her to the rink. We’ve got activation and mobility workouts today since there’s a game tonight, and I’m itching to get this over with so I can see her again.

Okay. Maybe I’m getting a little obsessive. Let’s slow down here. I don’t want to scare her off.

Ceci has a full day of meetings, so I won’t even see her again until after our game. I bury myself in the usual game-day prep: light workout, physical therapy, a solid pregame nap, get off, and then head to the arena for pregame meal, stretching, and warm-ups.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Ryan asks as we head onto the ice for pregame skate.

“The usual.”

“Hailey has a doctor’s appointment. Want to⁠—”

I skid to a stop. “For what?”

“Just a med check,” he assures me. “She’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

My sigh of relief rattles through my chest. “You’re not going with her?”

“I have my session with Dr. Liz.” He shrugs. “It’s good for her to do things on her own. If she can’t advocate for herself, I will, but I have to give her room to breathe. If I try to do everything for her, it takes away her agency.”

I frown. “But⁠—”

“She’s a grown-ass adult. When she needs me to help her, I will. But I won’t infantilize her.”

“Is that what I was doing?” Unease fills my chest, making me vaguely nauseous.

All I wanted was to take care of her. To make sure she was happy and healthy, or as healthy as she could be. I don’t want anything to happen to her. It’s not like I wanted to wrap her up in bubble wrap and hide her away from the world. Her happiness has always been my priority.

Ryan skates to a stop and faces me. “She appreciates everything you did for her. Still does,” he says. “She’s not going anywhere. We aren’t going anywhere. Let her come to you when she needs help. She knows you support her unconditionally. That you will be there when she needs you.”

“I do. I will.”

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I start to skate again, and he strides after me as we loop lap after lap around the ice.