“Why?”
The doors closed and I pressed the button again so they would open. I grabbed my bag and walked out so I wasn’t stuck in an enclosed space with my sister who was getting on my last nerve.
“What’s going on?”
I ignored her and walked to my car.
“Did you talk to Madi?”
I opened the door and threw my duffle onto the passenger seat. “No.”
“Why not?”
I narrowed my eyes. “She was talking to her ex when I got there.”
Her surprise was evident. Apparently Madi hadn’t told her yet.
“Erik, that could mean anything.”
“I know.”
“He could have been dropping her stuff off, he could have been—”
“I know,” I cut her off, and she finally seemed to hear me.
“What?”
“I’ve already been through this with Hartman and Reese. I know I made a mistake. I jumped to a pretty bad conclusion. I should have gone to her. I should have told him to run back to his cave. I froze, though. I made a mistake and I have plans to fix things.”
She nodded slowly. “Good. That’s good.”
“Can I go now?”
“Where are you going?”
I sighed. “I have some errands to run.”
“What kind of errands.”
I blew out a huff of frustration. “I need to go to the grocery store, the health store on Main with the pre-workout I like, then the mall.”
Her eyes narrowed. “The mall?”
“Yes.” Why was I standing here letting her interrogate me? I could just leave. Lock the doors and pull out of the garage.
“For what?”
“Something.”
“I’m coming with you.”
I stepped forward to block her, but she was quick. She was seated and had the door closed by the time I got to the passenger side.
I groaned, but there was nothing I could do. Chloe was one of the most stubborn people I knew. If she wanted to do something, she was going to do it. Nothing could talk her out of it. Maybe if I took long enough at the other stores she would get bored and ask me to drop her off.
I got in and started the car. She’d shoved my bag between her feet and shot me a sweet smile.
“What about your job?”
She shrugged. “I’ll tell them I was doing research.”
“Whatever.”
She could talk herself out of everything. Hopefully she could keep that big mouth shut, though.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Madeline
The doorbell rang, but I didn’t bother getting off my bed. I’d collapsed onto it an hour ago when I got off work. Mom even brought up a small plate of cookies, so I had no reason to leave for the rest of the night.
I heard voices downstairs. Both Mom and Dad were talking. Must be one of their friends. How nice. Even they have an active social life. Meanwhile, their twenty-four-year-old daughter was upstairs pouting. They must be so proud.
A knock sounded at my door. I hadn’t heard anyone coming up the stairs, but it was probably drowned out by the sound of my chewing.
I was a pathetic creature.
“Yes?”
Mom opened the door and cringed when she saw me. “There’s someone here for you.” She looked me over. “You should probably clean yourself up.”
I sat up and the crumbs covering my chest rolled onto my lap. Nice.
“Give me a second.”
She moved to shut the door but I stopped her.
“Wait. Who is it?”
I learned my lesson after last night to start asking this question. No more assumptions for me.
“It’s Erik.”
My heart pounded in my ears. He was here? Really? No calls or texts in two days and now he shows up to my house.
Dad’s voice rose and I flinched. He wasn’t exactly Erik’s number one fan right now.
“I’ll be quick.”
Mom nodded and hurried down the hall. Probably to keep Dad from committing any crimes.
I rushed into the bathroom and stopped when I saw my reflection. Yikes. I was a hot mess.
I pulled out my ponytail and brushed out my hair before putting it back up in a bun. I didn’t have time to apply makeup, but I brushed my teeth while changing into a pair of jeans and a cream sweater. Hopefully it looked like I was relaxing and hadn’t been throwing a forty-eight-hour pity party.
When I got to the bottom of the stairs, all three heads turned to me. Mom’s eyes were watering and Dad was considerably calmer but was still shooting daggers at Erik.
I looked away from my parents to the man I loved. I did. Seeing him after everything confirmed it. I missed him. But it was more than that. My soul ached for him.
“Erik.”
He stood and took my hand and led me to the kitchen. “We’ll be back.”
I looked over my shoulder to my parents, who were bent toward each other, whispering.
He opened the back door and led me out to our bench. After turning on the heater, he sat next to me, facing me.
“Madi, I’m so sorry. For so much.”
I took his hands and pulled him to me. I had to touch him. Confirm he was finally here.
He hugged me tightly before pulling back. He held my hands in his while his gaze bore through me.
“The press conference was a mistake. I was told what to say.”
I shook my head. “I know. I was hurt in the moment, but I understand.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I knew better than to believe that. I know you have to say things to appease the PR team. Dad’s done it before. Everyone has. I just wasn’t thinking.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He sighed and looked at the ground. Dread filled me. What happened?
“I came by last night.”
“Oh.”
He looked up at me and smirked. “Yeah. I saw him here and jumped to conclusions.”
“You thought I’d get back together with him?” I was surprised he would ever think that. What had given him the impression that I’d ever do that? After everything Clark had put me through.
“I don’t know what I thought. I just saw you two together and left.”
I nodded but didn’t know what to say.
“I shouldn’t have left. I realize that now. I should have kicked him out. I should have gone to you. But I had a moment of weakness. Self-doubt maybe.”
“You have no reason to doubt yourself.” I inched closer, but he didn’t seem like he was done yet.
“I’ve made mistakes, Madi. I promised I wouldn’t hurt you and I did. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, Erik. I forgive you. It’s going to take a lot more than a little misunderstanding to push me away.”
He smiled and it finally reached his eyes.
“I love you, Madi.”
“I love you too.”
He leaned forward and I met him in the middle. Kissing him was like coming home. I felt safe, loved, wrapped in his arms.
His lips left mine and trailed along my cheek until he was at my ear. “I love you so much.”
I melted. This was all I ever wanted.
He sat back and studied me. “I’ve been lost for so long. After my parent’s accident, I closed myself off. I put up walls and didn’t let people in. I didn’t want to lose anyone else. I didn’t want to feel that pain again. I was fine alone. I thought hockey was enough. I could survive with just that.”
He searched my face. I opened my mouth, but he continued.
“Until I met you, I realized all I was missing. Your compassion. Your enthusiasm. Your love.”
He smiled while I blushed. I could feel the heat wash over my face, but I didn’t care that he saw. I knew he saw all of me. My flaws, my pain, my dreams.
“I fell in love with you so fast it scared me. I didn’t know it was possible. I didn’t know what to do. Th
en you were finally free. I couldn’t let another moment pass without you being in my life. Being mine.”
He knew he loved me back then? Before we were really together? I guess, deep down, I knew too. From the very beginning.
“I know there’s so much more to learn about each other. I can’t wait for that. I also can’t wait to make you mine. Officially.”
He slid off of the bench and onto the ground. Before my mind caught up to what was happening a little blue box appeared in front of me.
“Madeline Romney, I promise to love you every single day of your life. Will you marry me?”
I gasped. He couldn’t really have just done that. Was he crazy? Was I crazy for considering it?
I thought of my parents, the best example of marriage I had. They loved each other, and they taught me all that it takes to make a successful marriage. Love, communication, sacrifice. All things I would do for him.
“Yes.”
His eyes widened and he removed the ring with a large round diamond and slid it onto my finger. It fit perfectly, of course.
He wrapped me in his arms and kissed me with a passion I matched. This was it. He was my forever.
The door swung open and my mom ran out weeping. “Oh, my baby!” She pulled me into a hug so tight I couldn’t breathe.
Dad stepped out after her and joined our hug.
I stepped back from them and smiled, nervously. They were going to tell us we were insane. That it was too fast. That we needed to wait.
“I’m so proud of you, honey.” Dad smiled at me before grabbing Erik and giving him a brief hug. “You take care of my princess and live up to everything we talked about.”
Erin nodded. When had they talked? Had my parents known this was going to happen?
“I’m so happy for you two. I knew you guys belonged together.” I shook my head and leaned into Erik.
He wrapped his arm around me. “Thank you, Marie.”
The door opened again and Chloe burst out, followed by Reese. “You said yes!”
She ran to me and threw her arms around me. “We’re going to be sisters!”
I laughed and hugged her back. “I know.”
“I love you.”
I closed my eyes and took that in. We were going to be family. I wasn’t going to be an only child anymore. I had a sister. “I love you, too.”
“Congrats, Schultz.”
I stepped back to see Erik and Reese hug.
“Thanks.”
“You kind of ruined our moment, but I forgive you.”
“What do you mean?”
I looked between Reese and Chloe and realized they were both glowing. “Seriously?” I reached for Chloe’s hand and screamed. Her ring finger had a gorgeous ring on it that rivaled my own.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
I looked to Erik. “Did you know?”
He shook his head and looked at Reese. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I couldn’t trust you to keep it to yourself.”
We laughed but I felt bad. “I don’t want us to steal your special night.”
“No way. After Erik and I went ring shopping I forced him to tell me his plan. I was dying through dinner, thinking we would be too late. Then Reese proposed, and I was so surprised.” She looked to her brother and smiled. “Of course, we got engaged on the same night. Some sort of twin power.”
He shook his head and laughed. “We’re not having a joint wedding.”
Chloe’s jaw dropped. “No way. I get my own day, thank you very much.”
Dad went inside and returned with a bottle of sparkling cider and six glasses. He filled them and passed them out before holding his up. “To my children. I’m proud of all of you.” He looked at each of us with a smile. “May your marriages be full of love…and hockey.”
“Cheers!” I laughed and took a sip.
This was my life. I tried to run from it, but fate pulled me back.
These people were my family, my future. And I couldn’t be happier.
Chapter Thirty
Er
Since we didn’t have a game on Saturday, Coach invited the team and their families over to his house to have a joint engagement party.
I was shocked when he gave his blessing for me to ask Madi to marry me. He’d been supportive and enthusiastic about it. Marie and Bo had starting planning where the wedding could be and when.
Madeline said she didn’t care, as long as it was small. She said only the team and close relatives, which was fine with me. Chloe and the team were my only family.
I was arranging the kitchen island with the food when Coach’s phone rang. He answered and walked out back.
“Everything ready?” Madi walked in and kissed my cheek while stealing an olive.
“I think so. People should start arriving soon. Are Reese and Chloe here?”
“Yeah, they just walked in. She has a surprised planned, so she’s setting it up.”
“A surprise?”
“Well, for the rest of the party. She already put together the video.”
I groaned. She’d cornered me at home last night and forced me to answer questions about me and Madi while she recorded me. I assumed it was for some sort of newlyweds’ game that was going to be embarrassing to watch with the rest of the guys.
“Just let her have her fun.”
“I know better than to try to stop her.”
She laughed until Coach walked back in. His face was ashen. She pushed away from me. “Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Andrew Howe was in an accident.”
I instantly panicked. “Is he okay?”
Coach met my eyes. “He’s alive.”
That wasn’t a good sign.
“What happened, Dad?”
He slowly shook his head. “Car accident. His left leg was crushed in the impact.”
Chloe gasped. She must have snuck in behind me. “Is he going to be okay?”
“They don’t know yet. They don’t if they’re going to be able to save his leg.”
He was out. I knew I should be focused on his wellbeing, but as a player, my mind went to the team. We lost a defenseman from the first line. We could bring someone up from the second line, but we’d still be short. This late in the season, it was a risk. We would need to pull a player from the farm team.
I suppressed a groan. We were going to have a to pull a fresh, young guy onto our bench. This was a disaster.
Howe was my friend, but he was also a key player. This loss was going to hurt.
“We need to go see him.” Madi broke me out of my selfish thoughts. She was right. We needed to go.
Coach looked around the kitchen. “What about your party?”
Chloe stepped forward. “Someone in our family is hurt, alone, and in the hospital. We have to go.”
We all nodded.
“You’re right. Let’s get this cleaned up. Reese, send out a message and let everyone know this has been postponed.”
We worked together to get things put away and were out the door within five minutes. I drove over with Madi and her parents. The ride was silent, tense. I was drumming my thumbs on my leg, nervous energy escaping. I needed to see him.
When we walked into the emergency waiting room, there were already several people waiting. Olli and Emma rushed over when they saw us.
“Have you heard anything else?” Olli’s face was streaked with worry.
Coach shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Let’s sit down. We should hear something soon.” Marie led us to an empty corner, and soon, more and more of the Fury trickled in. Everyone was talking in hushed tones. There was no news. No one knew what happened. Nothing. No answers.
After an hour of staring at the white walls, a door opened and a woman in blue scrubs walked out. She looked around and walked toward us. “Bo Romney?”
Coach stood up and met her halfway.
I was too far away to hear what was said, but Coach’s shoulders fell and my
heart shot to my throat. That wasn’t a good sign.
After a minute, he turned and walked back to us. The room was silent.
“He just got out of surgery. They were able to save his leg, but it’s being held together with pins and screws.”
I cringed. That sounded painful. Madi squeezed my hand and I knew she was thinking the same thing.
“He should be waking up soon. Once they get him into a recovery room, we can start taking turns to see him.”
I let out a breath and sunk down on the hard chair. This was good news. He was fine. He’d survived and would be able to recover.
Another hour passed before someone came and got Coach. Hartman went back with him first. Olli and I glanced at each other. We would be next. Was I ready to see my friend in this condition?
It didn’t matter. He needed me.
When they got back, Olli and I stood.
“How was he?” Olli’s voice was strained.
“He was a little out of it, but joking. He’s going to be okay.” Hartman patted my back as he walked by.
“Ready?”
I nodded and followed Olli. A nurse led us to the right room and walked off.
I went in first and tried to keep my reaction from showing. Howe looked up and smiled. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey, man. How you doing?” Olli sat on the edge of the bed, so I moved to stand on the other side.
“I’m doing good, considering.” He tried to smile, but cringed a little.
“You scared us.” I put my hand on his shoulder but didn’t squeeze. I didn’t know where he was hurt and didn’t want to make it worse.
“Someone ran a red light. I didn’t even see him coming.”
I clenched my fist. This could have been prevented. Some idiot wasn’t paying attention and potentially destroyed Howe’s career.
I shook my head. I couldn’t focus on that now.
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
He smiled. “Me too.”
Olli sighed. “What are we going to do?”
Howe looked pained for the first time since we walked in. I guess painkillers didn’t work on emotions. “I’m so sorry. Coach will pull Doblin from the second line, but we’ll still be shorthanded. They’ll have to pull from the farm.”
Match Penalty (Utah Fury Hockey Book 2) Page 18