Lindsey stood with the crowd for the national anthem, placing her hand over her heart. Her pulse raced, and she felt the tension and anticipation radiating from every single person in the arena, no matter who they were here to support.
Then the light dimmed and the music boomed as the Jumbotron overhead blared to life with cameo appearances from the Falcon players, including Nelson. Then the arena went dead quiet as a man dressed in all leather skated to the center of the ice and a single spotlight followed him. He came to a stop, then held out his gloved hand. A falcon dove straight from the arena ceiling, flying straight for the man’s arm.
The spectators gasped as they watched the falcon land on the man’s arm. Then the man gave another command, and the falcon flew straight toward the audience, then made a last-minute turn and circled the arena.
After the bird show, the announcer walked out onto the ice to the cheering crowd. He announced the starting lineup, and Lindsey cheered along with Becca. And when Nelson’s name was announced, she cheered again.
The game started, and some of the fans remained standing, since the Falcons were making a hard drive to their opponents’ side. When Minky scored, the arena went wild. Then, a few minutes later, another Falcons forward scored.
Two to zero. That was good, really good, Lindsey thought. But she was having trouble catching a full breath as she watched the intense, violent game, all in the pursuit of possessing a three-inch puck.
Lindsey could breathe a little better going into the second period. She watched Nelson on the bench with his teammates during the intermission. He unlaced his skates and sat on the end of the bench, not talking to anyone after the coach made some sort of speech.
“He must really be in the zone,” Lindsey said to Becca.
“He always is,” she said. “Even as a kid. His teammates learn pretty quick not to talk to him until after the game, and even then, it might be risky.”
Yeah, Lindsey had been a witness to at least one night like that. She wished she could be around Nelson more, there for him more, and not bouncing back and forth. Even after the Stanley Cup championship, he said that everyone got a couple of weeks off, then it was back to conditioning.
And then what would their relationship look like? Random weekends back and forth? Even though Lindsey hadn’t told Nelson how serious her feelings had become for him, she was pretty sure he’d guessed. Dawson had guessed too.
That morning, he’d come into her office as she was finishing up a phone call. When she’d hung up, he’d helped himself to the chair across from her desk. “Tell Nelson good luck tonight.”
“Thanks, I will.” Lindsey was grateful for Dawson’s friendship and his support, and most especially for him representing her case, both against her former firm and now against Paul Locker.
“You know, Lindsey, when you first signed the one-year lease, I thought it was a good idea.”
Lindsey frowned. “What do you mean? Have you changed your mind?”
“No.” Dawson leaned forward, his brown eyes focused on her. “But I think you have.”
For a moment, Lindsey didn’t say anything. Then she exhaled. “I have been thinking about it, but I’m still unsure.”
“Well, if it helps, I won’t hold you to the lease terms,” Dawson said. “I’m sure I’ll be able to find someone to rent the office to. Maybe a realtor or something.”
His words had sent a flood of nerves and new possibilities through her. She’d thanked him, and she’d been thinking of what Nelson’s reaction would be if she told him she was willing to relocate to Vegas. Would he be happy? Or would he think their relationship was moving too fast, in a direction he wasn’t ready for or interested in?
The buzzer rang, and third period was underway. Nelson was back on the ice, defending his goal. Lindsey loved watching him in action. She loved seeing him succeed in what he loved. She loved talking to him. She loved how protective he was of her, how supportive. She loved his texts, his phone calls, the way he hugged her. Teased her. Kissed her. She loved him. And suddenly her decision to relocate seemed very easy.
Happiness bubbled through her as she watched the action on the ice. Being with Nelson had become her whole world. She didn’t know how it had happened, but it had.
One of the Ducks’ players skated past the final Falcons’ defense and shot. Nelson deflected the puck, and the arena cheered, but in the next instant, the Ducks regained control and shot again.
The puck slid into the very corner of the goal.
The arena erupted with both cheers and groans.
Ducks: one. Falcons: two.
Everything heated up then. The players. The fans. The tension in the arena.
Becca grabbed Lindsey’s hand, and she hung on as they watched the game clock count down while the players below tried to make history. Lindsey felt both sick and exhilarated at the same time. Five minutes. Four minutes. Three minutes.
Another shot on Nelson. He deflected it, and the crowd roared.
Linsey was shouting too, without even making sense. She just felt like she had to shout something.
Two minutes. One.
The buzzer rang, and the arena erupted in celebration.
Lindsey stared in stunned silence, then started screaming. “They won!”
Becca was jumping up and down next to her, screaming as well. The two women hugged fiercely, then Becca hugged the woman on her other side.
Lindsey didn’t know if she was laughing or crying, but tears ran down her face. The Falcons made a circuit around the ice, holding up their hockey sticks in triumph as the crowd continued to cheer and celebrate.
“Oh my gosh, they really won,” Lindsey said, covering her mouth and blinking back tears. Her entire body was trembling.
The announcer was back on the ice, talking about the prestige of the Stanley Cup, and then he announced that Tyler Nelson was the season’s MVP.
Lindsey and Becca cheered and watched as Nelson went to accept the trophy for the team. He lifted up the giant silver cup and skated with it around the rink, holding it above his head. The arena cheered as everyone filmed the moment with their phones. Next, Minky took over and skated another circuit.
Lindsey continued to wipe tears as she watched the teammates each take a turn. The crowd didn’t seem to be going anywhere, and after all the announcing was over, Lindsey and Becca had to weave through people to make it down the bleachers to the bench.
Nelson had taken off his helmet, face mask, and outer goalie pads by the time they got through the throng of people. Becca reached him first and threw her arms about his neck. “Congratulations, bro. I knew you could pull it off!”
Nelson grinned as he hugged her tight, then he looked over at Lindsey.
She almost forgot to breathe. Nelson was a beautiful specimen in his victory. His hair was mussed from his helmet, and perspiration glistened on his face, but the joy in his eyes was unforgettable.
He released Becca, and Lindsey moved forward next. He scooped her into a bear hug, lifting her from the ground.
“That was amazing, Nelson,” she said against his ear, holding onto him as if she wasn’t planning on letting him go anytime soon.
“Thanks, babe,” he said.
People jostled against them as they tried to reach players, and the media wasn’t far away, interviewing others. But Nelson didn’t seem to notice. He set her back on her feet, but instead of letting her go, he cradled her face with his hands and kissed her. On the mouth, in front of the entire arena.
Lindsey grasped his jersey to hold on while people snapped pictures around them. She decided she didn’t care, because Nelson didn’t seem to either.
When he broke off, he said, “I need to do some interviews.”
“Okay, we’ll meet you outside.”
He pressed his mouth against hers in a briefer kiss, then he released her, and soon he was swallowed up by the media.
Lindsey stared after him for a moment, but the crowd only grew more chaotic. So she turned t
o find Becca. They made their way out of the arena and into the parking lot.
“That was crazy,” Becca said with a laugh.
Lindsey was happy to breathe in the fresh air away from the throngs of people. “Think we can find his truck?”
“Sure, it will be in the same place as always since he gets here so early.”
Right. Lindsey knew that, but her head was still spinning.
They waited over an hour for Nelson to come out. Lindsey didn’t mind. She and Becca sat on the bed of his truck and chatted about Becca’s job, and Lindsey ended up telling her about the lawsuit against her former firm and some of the details about Paul Locker.
Becca was incredulous at the story, and Lindsey had to admit that it was nice to talk about it with another woman. Girlfriends had been mostly nonexistent for Lindsey, since she’d never had time, or made the time, to hang out with friends.
“There he is,” Becca said. “Finally!” she called to Nelson. “What took you so long?”
Lindsey looked over to where he’d come out of the arena. The grin on his face said everything, and she couldn’t be more excited for him.
“Just accepting a few accolades, nothing much,” he teased.
Becca laughed, and he used his key fob to unlock the truck. Becca scrambled off the bed and headed for the passenger door.
Lindsey kept her gaze on Nelson. His freshly showered look always woke up the butterflies in her stomach. He carried his duffle, and as he approached the truck bed, she stayed put.
“Thanks for waiting,” he said, setting the duffle next to her, then zipping it open.
He smelled great, and if Becca weren’t in the cab of the truck in full view, Lindsey might have given him another congratulatory kiss.
“Here,” Nelson said, taking out a hockey jersey from the duffle. He shook it out. “I can wash it if you want, but it’s yours.”
Lindsey stared at the jersey. “That’s your game jersey.”
“Yeah.”
She met his gaze. “You can’t give that to me. It’s probably worth a lot of money, or maybe your coach will want to put it in a display case or something.”
Nelson didn’t look away from her. “I want you to have it.”
She took the jersey. It was slightly damp and smelled like the hockey arena. “I don’t know what to say,” she said in a quiet voice.
“You don’t have to say anything.” He stepped closer and rested his hands on her hips.
She set the jersey on her lap. “Nelson . . . I think you should keep it. You’re going to regret giving it away. I mean, it represents history for you and for the Falcons.”
“It wouldn’t have happened if not for you,” he said in a low voice. He moved closer now, stepping between her legs. She felt surrounded by his warmth as he rested his hands on her thighs.
“You can’t say that either,” she said. “You did all the work.”
His lips quirked, and he slid his hands up to her waist, then tugged her against him. “A good percentage of sports is mental, and you helped me with that.”
Lindsey wanted to demand clarification, but Nelson kissed her. The touch of his mouth against hers sent a warm shiver through her entire body. She wound her arms about his neck and let him take her into another realm.
The sound of a door opening reached them, and Becca said, “I’m still here. Waiting in the truck. And I’m hungry.”
Nelson smiled against Lindsey’s mouth. “Sorry about my sister. She can be demanding.”
Lindsey moved her hands to his shoulders, then over his biceps and down his arms. “She’s right. We should go.” She peeled his hands from her waist.
Nelson sighed, then helped her down from the truck bed. He shut the back hatch, then they walked to the driver’s side, where Lindsey climbed in first, followed by Nelson.
“Just wait until you see what we did to your place,” Becca announced cheerfully.
He released a groan. “Don’t tell me you used confetti.”
Becca laughed. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Nelson backed the truck out of its space, then reached for Lindsey’s hand and held it all the way to his condo.
Nelson looked around his condo. Boxes lined one wall, and the place looked even more bare than usual. Everything was packed—well, except for a few kitchen items like forks, plates, and cups. Those would be last. He’d be leaving Vegas in a couple of hours, and the only thing left to do was talk to Coach. Then Nelson would pick up the moving trailer on the way back to the condo. One of his neighbors had agreed to help him load furniture.
There was no use putting it off any longer; the moment had arrived.
He left the condo and headed for his truck. The drive to the arena sped by, and every light he hit was green. It was like some outside force was endorsing his decision. Nelson found Coach in his office, where he’d knew he’d be. He wore a button-down with his sleeves rolled up, and his receding hairline exposed a shiny scalp.
“What brings you in, Nelson?” Coach said, standing to shake his hand. “Everything okay with your knee?”
“Sure, it’s fine,” Nelson said. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Of course.” Coach indicated for Nelson to take a seat, while he moved to sit down again.
“First, I want to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” Nelson said. “You’ve been a great coach, and I’ve had opportunities with the Falcons that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
Coach leaned forward. “You quitting on me, Nelson?”
Nelson swallowed. “My contract was fulfilled over a year ago, and I’m taking a break. Might end up with the Coyotes in a year or so, once John Sparks retires.”
Coach stared at him. “You’re kidding.”
“Not kidding.”
“The Coyotes were almost dead last in the league this year,” Coach said, his voice growing edgy. “You just won the freakin’ Stanley Cup, and you want to transfer to a deadbeat team?”
“They got Walton and Smith in a trade.”
Coach shook his head. “What are they offering?”
“Three.”
“You’re making five million a year now, and you’re willing to give up two million . . . for what? Because some of your teammates pissed you off during the playoffs?”
Nelson clenched his jaw. “There’s more to life than hockey, Coach, and when you find it, you’ll understand.” He rose from the chair. “My lawyer will be in contact to wrap things up.”
Coach slammed his fist on his desk. “Don’t do this, Nelson. Take the whole damn summer off if you want to, but come back to Vegas.”
“Thanks for the offer,” he said. “But I’ve made up my mind.”
Coach closed his eyes and exhaled. “Go on, get out of here.”
So Nelson did. Not exactly how he wanted his last talk with Coach to turn out. Nelson supposed there might be a phone call later, but it didn’t matter much now.
On the way across the parking lot, his phone rang. For a half second, he thought it might be Coach, but Dawson Harris’s name flashed across the screen. Last time Dawson had called him, the news hadn’t been good.
“Hello?” Nelson answered. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Dawson said. “I was just calling to tell you that you’d better treat her right.”
Nelson stopped by his truck. “Lindsey? What’s going on?”
“She’s on her way to Vegas,” Dawson said. “Canceled her lease this morning and said she’s flying out to tell you in person. She’s going to relocate to live closer to you.”
The breath left Nelson. “When did she leave?”
“A couple of hours ago,” Dawson said. “So she should be landing soon. If she knew I was making this call, she’d kill me. But I felt like I needed to give you a heads-up so that you can be the man she thinks you are.”
Nelson closed his eyes as his mind spun in a dozen different directions. “Do you know her flight i
nformation?”
“No,” Dawson said. “Mind telling me what you’re going to do when she tells you she’s changing her life for you?”
Nelson took a deep breath and told Dawson about his resignation from the Falcons.
Dawson let out a low whistle. “Wow, really?” He chuckled. “I guess Lindsey will be getting the surprise of her life.”
Nelson’s stomach was in too many knots to find any humor in the situation.
“So does Lindsey’s decision change yours?” Dawson asked after a moment.
“No,” Nelson said immediately. “I’m done with the Falcons. Have been for a while, but meeting Lindsey gave me the push I needed to make the decision.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some convincing to do on Lindsey’s behalf,” Dawson said.
“Wish me luck,” Nelson said.
Dawson chuckled again. “I don’t think you’re gonna need it, man.”
Nelson climbed into his truck after hanging up with Dawson. What were the chances? He’d been planning on showing up in Pine Valley and surprising Lindsey, but now she’d be at his place soon. His pulse thundered as he drove to the rental place and got a trailer hitched up to his truck.
There was no sign of Lindsey yet when he arrived at his condo, and he didn’t know if he had a few minutes or an hour. So he did the only thing he could think of—paced the rooms until someone knocked on the door.
The sound made his pulse jump even though he was pretty sure it was her. He wasn’t interested in pretending to be surprised or acting like he didn’t know why she’d show up unexpectedly at his place. Besides, when he opened the door, he could practically see her nervousness. She didn’t even step forward to hug him.
“Hi,” she said, her voice breathless as she clasped her hands in front of her.
“Lindsey,” he said. She was dressed in one of her business suits and strappy black heels, her hair pulled back from her face. Reminding him of when he’d first met her. There was that vulnerable look in her eyes again. “You’re here.”
“Surprise,” she said, then bit her lip. “Um . . . can I come in?”
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