Page 232

A rare smile plays on my lips as I think about my last call with them. Huxley was buzzing with the knowledge that he’d see me in only a few days. Even Ryker was a little more animated than usual.

Fuck. I can’t wait to see them.

“They are. I am, too. I’m hanging around in the city longer so I can go to their game and hang out with them.”

“That’s awesome, man. I’m glad Coach was able to swing that for you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“So,” Kodie says, suddenly leaning forward and swiping the menu for room service from the vanity beside him. “I thought we could have a night in, order food, and you know…hang like the old days.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded. “As long as you don’t want to wax anything or have a pillow fight, I guess I could get on board with that.”

He frowns but recovers quickly. “Goddamn it, that was what I was looking forward to the most.”

After ordering almost everything on the menu along with water for the evening, Kodie gets himself comfortable again, and the moment I meet his eyes, I know exactly what’s coming next.

“So, come on then. Lay it on me. What happened with Garrett to have you walking around looking like someone just murdered your puppy?”

62

GARRETT

“You should go,” Sienna says, her hands on her hips as she watches me from the doorway of her guest bedroom.

“What if he doesn’t want me there?”

“And what if he does? Or more importantly, what if he needs you there?”

I haven’t gone into detail with my sister about Cooper’s family, but I’ve said enough for her to understand that tomorrow’s game is going to be a big deal for him.

The thought of him having his little brothers there makes my chest tighten with happiness. But on the flip side, it means his father is going to be there too, and I already despise that man.

Cooper hasn’t been playing at his best the last few games. His average speed is down, his interceptions are down, and his penalties are up—which is saying a lot. The thought of his dad being in the crowd and then giving Cooper his opinion afterward fills me with dread.

Even playing at his worst, Cooper is still one of the most talented D-men in the entire league. I just wish he truly understood that. But no matter how old you are, words from your parents still stick, even when you know better.

“Sienna,” I groan, torn.

On one hand, I’m desperate to be there so I can support him, even if it is from a distance.

But on the other…what if I fuck everything up more by turning up somewhere I’m not wanted? That’s assuming he even finds me in the stands. He could play the game and leave again, never knowing I was there. I think I’d be okay with that. It’s not what I fucking want, though.

In my head, I keep running all these completely unrealistic scenarios. Like…he’ll spot me in the crowd and realize just how much he misses me and how he can’t possibly live without me in his life. He’ll skate to the boards and tell the world that I’m his…Yeah, I think I’ve watched one too many rom-coms with Sienna over the years.

He’s more likely to continue ignoring my entire existence, as he has done since the moment he told me to leave his place.

Waking up every day, rolling over to check my cell to discover that another day has gone by with nothing but radio silence from him is slowly killing me.

I haven’t messaged him every day, but I’ve sent a couple when my need to reach out has become too much to ignore. I’ve tried to keep them light, complimenting his games and mentioning once or twice that I’m sorry and I miss him. It’s far from the begging and pleading for him to talk to me that I really want to do. But I’m trying to keep it together. It’s only been a week, and he’s been away and focused on finishing up the season for most of it. I’m probably the last thing on his mind.

Fuck. I really hope I’m not.

He’s certainly not the last on mine.

“You’ve packed. You’ve got flights, a hotel room, and tickets to the game.” With incredible seats, thanks to Calvin pulling in a couple of favors.

“I know, I just…”