She was leaving. He circled the ice, ready for the puck, but it got stolen by the Hatchets. He raced after the offender, only barely hearing Crandall call behind him. He shoved the player, who fell forward over the puck. Rocco snatched it away and headed back toward the goal. Tractor frowned at him like he was supposed to be intimidating. Yeah, whatever. Rocco would never find another goalie intimidating after playing against Trane. He swung back and slammed the puck at the guy’s face.
Tractor blocked it, but as Rocco hoped, it rebounded out onto the ice, where Rocco snatched it again and slipped it into the back corner of the goal.
His team surrounded him, pounding his helmet. He raised his stick into the air and did a victory lap, not really seeing anything, until shimmery blond hair caught his eye, and he almost tripped over his skates to look back over his shoulder.
Summer.
She raised a hand and gave him a half-smile.
He circled back and skated to the glass. He didn’t care that the whole world noticed or that they were taking pictures. He stared her down until her smile grew and his tickled the corner of his mouth. He nodded and then finished his victory lap. Summer was there. Summer. Was. There.
They regrouped for another puck drop. And he was on fire. His whole body hummed with awareness. Every move he did for Summer. If she’d come, there was a chance. He just kept repeating that over and over in his mind.
The Steers had the biggest win of their season. Rocco scored five of their six goals. And they were in high spirits at the end. The coach didn’t even know what to say; he was so happy. All grins, he waved and told the guys to go get some rest.
Rocco knew there would be lots of celebrating, and even though they wanted to dump beer on his head at some bar, he shouldered his duffel and went in search of Summer.
The locker room door opened, and just like he’d hoped, she stood outside of it, her hands in her pockets. He dropped his duffel and moved to her, his arms wrapping her close before his lips captured hers. He backed her up until she rested against the wall. Mine. He wanted to claim her forever. He’d beg her to stay with him, whatever it took. Her response to him was fierce. She clung to him, her kisses responding with a new passion that ignited everything in him. Almost losing Summer had been too much too soon.
Crandall cleared his throat. “Um, you guys might have an audience soon.”
Rocco grunted, but then Summer tapped his shoulder and he stopped. “More of that later.” And they turned to see a crowd of the press coming for aftergame questions.
“Oh boy. I gotta get out of here. Crandall, take this for me. Tell them you and I talked and all our plans worked. Take all the credit.”
“Yeah, like they’ll believe that.” He waved them away as he stepped forward with his arms out to greet the press.
Rocco and Summer slipped out the side door that led to the players’ private parking lot. He held her hand. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.”
His grin hurt his cheeks. “You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Another reason I love you.” He stopped and turned to her. Then he took her other hand. “Did you hear what I just said?” He’d hardly heard it himself.
“Yes.” She breathed out; her eyes lit with hope.
“I meant it. I love you, Summer.”
The pause before she answered ignited worry. But then she stepped closer. “I love you, too, Rocco.”
He pulled her tight to him again and, right before he pressed his lips to hers, said, “Good.”
They climbed into his rental. A jeep just like hers.
“Nice car.”
“Thanks.”
They drove to a local lobster place. It was small, quiet, incredibly elite, and expensive, but Rocco knew everyone would leave him alone. “I hope you like seafood.”
“Absolutely.”
“Perfect.”
Everything with her was so perfect. Except for their situations, their goals, and their families, apparently.
“Your father came to visit me,” she said.
He held his breath, sensing that what she was about to say couldn’t be good.
“Yeah, he told me I’m not Catholic or Italian enough for you.”
Rocco’s blood pulsed through him. “Did he?” He couldn’t say any more, afraid of what would come out of his mouth. But a new form of frustration surged, and he itched to call his dad right then and there. “Well, he knows that he doesn’t get to have a say in the religion or blood of the girls I date.” He waved a hand, trying to help her see how little his dad’s outdated thoughts mattered. “My mom will set him straight. She thinks you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Summer’s smile comforted him. “She does?”
“Oh yeah. She loves you more than me at this point.”
“Now, I know that’s not true. But I hope so. I love your mom.”
“Dad will be apologizing next time he sees you.” Rocco gritted his teeth but tried to let it go. Tried to pretend that it was no big deal.
Then he settled into the quiet booth in the corner and enjoyed Summer, who had come all the way to Boston. “How long are you here?”
She laughed. “I’m not sure. So far, I’m here all week.”
“This gets better and better.”
“I hope so.”
“Absolutely. Summer, you saw that game. You absolutely made my whole life.”
She toyed with her fork. “I’m happy I came.”
“Me too. Can we agree that we like to be together?”
“Absolutely. Rocco, I don’t want to lose you.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“But I don’t know what to do.”
He shrugged. “Me either. But if we’re both in. If we both agree that being together is better than not, we can make this work, right?” He searched her face, looking for a clue about how she was feeling, deep down.
“I think so, too. I don’t know how, but we can do anything. I hope.”
He reached for her hand and leaned forward. “Let’s just make it work. Let’s do it. I’m all in.”
“I’m in too.”
Their lobster and clam chowder arrived, and they were distracted for a few minutes by delicious food.
“This is so good.” Summer dabbed her mouth with the napkin.
“Don’t tell my mom, but sometimes I just need to eat something not Italian.”
“I promise not to tell.”
He settled back in his seat. “Thanks for coming. I’ll take you to all my favorite places here in Boston.”
“I’ve never been. I think I’ll take a university tour while I’m here.”
He laughed. “Just ’cause you like to?”
“Yeah. I love their libraries. And Boston College has a really impressive historical collection.”
“I’ll come with if you want.”
“Really?”
“Hey, if I’m not on the ice, I want to be with you. And maybe you don’t know this, but I like to read too.”
“Oh really? And what do you read?”
He shrugged, hoping he would still sound respectable. “My whole family loves Louis L’Amour.”
She sat forward. “Are you serious?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“That is awesome. How many have you read?”
“All of them.”
She leaned her head back and laughed. “This is incredible. I love those books. We have a complete collection.”
“Meant to be.” His thumb rubbed across her knuckles. “Where are you staying?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet.”
His heart skipped.
“But I thought I’d get a room wherever you are.”
He nodded. “The Marriott downtown.”
“Then that’s where I’ll be too.” She toyed with her fork again. “In my own room?”
“Okay. But maybe you could watch a late-night movie with me until you’re too drowsy to move before
you go back to your own room?”
“I can do that.”
“Let’s go!” He stood, waving the waitress over.
They headed toward the door hand in hand, and Rocco thought for sure they had a chance.
But when they stepped out, a few guys with cameras started taking pictures. “Rocco! How do you feel about the best offensive game of your life?”
“Great.” He waved for the valet to hurry. The man took off running around the corner.
“Did it have anything to do with your lovely date here? Summer, how did you feel about Rocco’s game?”
He bristled that they even knew her name.
“Curse my father,” she muttered under her breath.
He turned with surprise. “I didn’t want to say anything, but…”
“Yeah, he’s in some serious trouble with me.”
“Both our dads, huh.”
“Yeah.”
She waved to the cameras. “Hey, thanks for coming all this way to see us. Rocco’s pretty amazing. Today on the ice, I’ve never seen playing like that. I mean, who makes five goals in one game, right?” She smiled and stepped up on her toes to kiss his cheek. Then nudged him.
He put his arm around her. “It meant everything that Summer would come to the game. Did she help? Absolutely.”
Their car pulled up, and Rocco hurried her inside, closing the door. Then he turned to the press. “Look, this isn’t cool. Give a guy some privacy. Back off, and I’ll call a press conference for everyone. Spread the word. Otherwise, my lips are sealed.”
They mock-saluted, and he wanted to punch them in the face, but he jumped in the front seat and drove to the Marriott instead. “Wait. Where’s your luggage?”
“At the Marriott. I had them hold it at the desk.”
“Did you know I was there?” He didn’t want to feel weirdly suspicious, but he wondered if her dad had stalked the team.
“I just know the team uses the Marriott, so I kind of hoped. I mean, I came out here for you, Rocco. I’m not really here to see Boston.”
Her words calmed him. “And I’m so glad you did. Summer, this means everything.”
They got her luggage up to her room, and then he tugged her back to the elevator. “And now, movie night?”
“You sure you can stay up late?”
“Yup, no early practice tomorrow. Reward for our awesome win.”
“Can we talk about that? I’ve never seen such incredible playing. Jed and Jake are probably dying.”
He laughed. “It was all about you.”
“Even before you saw me?”
“Yeah, though my feelings weren’t so positive then.”
He used his keycard on the door, grateful for the hotel’s cleaning service. Everything was back in place, and the room smelled nice. He hopped up on his bed, resting against the headboard. “Come here, you.” He pointed a remote at the screen. “I’m pretty exhausted, so pick something you like.”
“What, you’re not gonna watch with me?”
“Oh, I will. At first.”
She reached for the remote and clicked through the Netflix options. She picked some rom-com, and he settled back against the pillows, pulling her close under his arm. Her head rested on his shoulder, and he thought life couldn’t get more perfect.
24
Summer snuggled up against Rocco and worried. After today, she knew she couldn’t live without this man in her life. She didn’t think she could go live all the way across the ocean for a year. She didn’t even want to anymore.
But how was that good? How often had she told herself she’d never give up her potential, her opportunities, her dreams so that she could follow a man? But she hadn’t known Rocco then. She lifted his heavy, sleepy hand into her lap, playing with his fingers. His breathing was becoming more steady. She smiled. How nice to be at his side always. The thought of traveling with him, following the team around, sounded perfect.
But that was the danger of flying out to see him, this temptation, this sexy man at her side. She knew she’d be unhappy following after him eventually. She couldn’t do that forever; she’d need something else in her life, a purpose.
She ran her fingers up and down his hand, thinking.
He shifted. “Are you watching?” His face was inches away, his eyes dark and yummy.
“Not really.”
“But you’re thinking.”
“Yeah.”
“Do I want to know what about?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t figured us out yet.”
“Me either.” He held the side of her face in his palm, leaned his head forward, and pressed his lips to hers. “But I cannot lose you.” He kissed her again. “I love you too much.” When he pressed his mouth to hers the third time, he lingered, his soft, full mouth searching hers, gently speaking to her. His love filled her, and she knew she could never leave, not for a full year.
The next morning, he stood outside her hotel room. She was ready, but the tiredness in his eyes matched her own. “Maybe tonight we should go to sleep early?”
He laughed. “I have to. Big game tomorrow.”
“I’m totally excited.” They linked hands and headed down to his car. “Boston College, here we come.”
They decided to take a tour of the city also. The city offered walking tours of the historic sites, and after several hours walking around, Summer was in love with more than just Rocco. “This place is amazing.”
They entered the research department in the library at Boston College, and it solidified her love. A man approached. Mr. Tenner, the lead researcher in history at the college.
“Hello, sir, I’m Summer Davis. I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve been following your research, and I know I didn’t call ahead or anything, but I wondered if we might take a look at some of your collections.”
He seemed friendly enough.
“I am the head librarian for a small library in Star Valley, Wyoming. And I’m finishing up my coursework for a doctorate.”
“I’d be pleased to show you around.” He turned to Rocco.
“I’m just here to support Summer.”
“You look familiar. You don’t by chance play hockey?”
Rocco smiled. “I do. Am I talking to a hockey fan?”
“Only one of the most die-hard fans in the area. I’ll be at the game tonight.”
“So will we. Rocco De Luca, with the Steers.”
“Oh, the man most Hatchet fans despise at the moment.”
“The one and the same.”
“And you must be the girl they say we have to blame for the loss last night.” He eyed Summer with new interest.
“I must be.”
“Come with me.”
He led them back into the special collections rooms, and they had a lovely visit. Rocco said little. In fact, after a few minutes, he got out his phone. Summer was grateful he had come, though.
Then Mr. Tenner turned to her in a lull in their conversation about ancient Slavic peoples and smiled. “We are seeking one additional fellow. I don’t know what your plans are, but you should consider applying.”
Rocco lifted his head, and Summer didn’t miss the look of hope that crossed his features.
“I have already agreed to a fellowship in Prague starting in the fall.”
“Well, congratulations. That’s wonderful. But not until fall. Maybe we could get you started over here right away, and then you can take a leave in the fall?”
Summer’s heart pounded. Was this the best option for her? For them? For the Star Valley library? For her family?
She nodded. “I’m very interested. Would you mind emailing me the details? I will give it some serious thought and get back to you in a couple days.”
“Absolutely. We would love to have you. We have room for three fellows, and we’ve already selected two, but even if we’d filled all our positions, I would have opened a new one for you.”
“Thank you.”
Rocco and Summer left the library, ha
nds swinging, with smiles on their faces.
“So, this is looking up.” Rocco searched her face, his eyes full of questions.
“It is.” She didn’t know what to say yet. She knew what he wanted to ask, knew what he was hoping, what she hoped. But did she give up on Prague? Just turn them down? Or did she start in Boston and then take a break like Mr. Tenner suggested?
Rocco cleared his throat. “So, I have a surprise for tonight.”
“What? You do? What is it?”
“Let’s go find out.” He winked.
He drove them to a marina and parked. “Come on.”
She laughed at the excitement in his face. He led her along the docks, surrounded by yachts. They were tied down for the winter, the sails down, the masts wrapped in ropes. Until the end of the dock, where a new beautiful boat waited with its engine running.
He gestured for her to step on board.
A man smiled and waved and then stepped inside what looked like the bridge, maybe? A huge helm stood on one end of the room, facing a wall of windows. He closed the door behind him.
“The captain.” Rocco smiled. “Friend of mine.”
“And the boat?”
“Also owned by a friend.”
“Wow, I like your friends.”
“Me too.” He held up his phone. “In fact, I promised to take a selfie and send it to him so he knew we were having fun.”
Summer smiled.
They made their way into the main cabin of the yacht and sat in comfortable chairs facing the windows.
Rocco scooted her closer to him. “So, we’re having a tour of the bay, and then we’ll dock near Symphony Hall where we have tickets. After the show, we will eat at Top of the Hub. You can see all of Boston lit up at night.”
His face endeared her most. All the dazzlingly fun date ideas were fantastic, but most of all, his excitement and the love in his eyes melted her heart. “This is amazing.”
“You are what’s amazing. I’m just trying to keep you close.”
They settled in, enjoying the view of Boston from the water. And then as the sun got closer to the horizon, the boat stopped, and they sat still, watching the warm orange light descend below the water. “Beautiful.” Summer leaned into him. “Thank you.”
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