by Kat Bammer
It was freezing cold when they left the cottage and snow covered the ground.
“Okay, we’ll do intervals, walk a little, jog a little. But take it easy. I want to know if something isn’t right. Every sting, niggle, stiffness. You’re going to tell me. Hear me?” She grabbed his left arm until their eyes met and he nodded. “You had surgery in late September so we’re now officially in month four post-surgery. You should be good to go, but you gotta talk to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” That seemed to satisfy her enough to start walking.
Three months—had it really been three months? He had re-torn his ACL in September, then had surgery. November he’d struggled to get off the pain meds and December 1st he’d arrived in Moon Lake. It was amazing how fast Julie had whipped him back into shape. He had more stability and more confidence in his knees than he had after his first surgery.
What was amazing, as well, was how fast time had passed without him even realizing it. Hockey season was in full swing but then Kevin avoided watching it as much as he could. He’d had minor injuries before, but nothing that kept him from playing a whole season. The only time he couldn’t avoid it was whenever Paul’s games were broadcast and the Brooks’ had their family hockey nights. Then he endured watching the game, the longing to be back on the ice so strong he could feel it on his tongue. He had to concentrate on that. That feeling, that desire. Being comfortable was making him weak, and he couldn’t afford to be weak. His relationship with Julie…just a way to pass time. But his main concern, his only concern was to get back on the ice.
“Watch your step. We’ll turn toward the wood. There’s less snow on the ground, but there are roots and branches, so you better be careful.”
They started with a light trot and Kevin’s knees held up great. No residual pain, no stiffness or instability. When they ended their run, they parted on the meadow behind the Inn and agreed on meeting, after taking a shower, to get breakfast at Holly’s cafe.
Getting back to his healthy diet was next on the list…right after one last treat.
14
“Hey, kiddo.”
Julie smiled when she leaned down to kiss her father on the cheek. “Hey, Dad, you’re up early.”
Julie’s father shrugged his shoulders and pushed the button on the coffeemaker.
“How was your run?”
Her eyebrows rose. Since when was her father interested in her morning activities?
“It was good. I took Kevin with me for the first time.”
Now it was her father’s turn to raise his brows, but then he waggled them. “Yes, I know. What I didn’t know is that he’d progressed that far.”
Julie nodded. Kevin had made amazing progress. Even today. She had expected some emerging pain, or at least insecurities. But there were none.
Her father’s coffee was ready, and he took another cup and pushed the button again. “Do you have time for a cup of coffee with your old man?”
Julie nodded and leaned against the kitchen counter. “How did you even know I took Kevin today?”
Her father grinned. “Oh, kiddo, so much to learn…”
She had so much to learn? What did that even mean? Was her father spying on her?
When Julie’s coffee was done, her father guided her by the shoulders into the living room, and after they’d crossed it, he pushed her down into his recliner chair. “You see the window over there?”
Julie nodded.
“I can see perfectly to Kevin’s little cottage just sitting here in my recliner.”
Julie bit her lips. There she was sneaking around when she was being watched the whole time. Julie groaned and her father chuckled. “Don’t worry. Your mother closes the curtains as soon as it gets dark, unless she forgets.”
Julie hid her eyes behind her hand and groaned louder this time. Her father knew. Not only did he know the whole time, but he was making fun of it.
“Did you tell Mom?”
Her father shook his head. “There’s really nothing to tell. You’re an adult woman, Julie. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders and I trust you. If you think the boy’s worth your time, then I’ve got no reason to doubt that. But—just for the record—your mother would be delighted. She can’t wait to become a grandma…babysitting a little one.” Her father waggled his eyebrows and Julie grinned about his silliness. She really had the best father in the whole world.
“So, if his knees are good enough to go for a run, how long will it take for him to get back on the ice?”
That wiped the grin right from her face. Julie hesitated and searched for an answer. It was actually hard to say because they still had a long way to go, but if he progressed with the same speed as he did last month, she would get him on the ice within the month.
Her father still looked at her expectantly and Julie realized that she hadn’t answered his question. “I think he’ll be able to skate in a month or so. Slowly and carefully. No contact, no twists and turns…and after that we will see how fast he progresses.”
It was sooner than Julie liked to admit. Kevin would return to his team to get into shape and train with the team again. He would leave Moon Lake and her behind. But that was the plan. That was always the plan. Julie’s breath hitched, just thinking about it, and her father must have realized where her train of thoughts led her.
He patted her on the shoulder before he squeezed it. Then he nodded and went back to the kitchen without saying another word.
Julie remained seated in the recliner chair for a moment. Her chest ached and her body was too heavy for her to get up. She sniffed and took the sip of her coffee. He would leave. It was inevitable. He’d told her it was his dream, and she had to do everything to get him there as soon and as fast as possible.
Julie’s mobile phone rang, and she retrieved it from her pocket. She didn’t recognize the number, but had a sinking feeling, anyway.
“Hello?”
“Hey, this is Coach Foster speaking. Am I talking to Julie Brooks?”
Julie said yes before she got up and placed her coffee on the table. “How can I help you?”
“Well, my last update on my goalie Kevin Reyes is overdue. I tried to call him, but he didn’t pick up. So, what can you tell me?”
Julie hesitated. The coach had never called her before. Usually she talked to the head of PT over there, and he was the one she sent her written reports to.
Julie felt heat crawling up the back of her neck. She remembered the promise she’d given to Kevin. No talking to the team without consulting with him first. Well. Julie shrugged her shoulders. No time for that now.
“Well, Mr. Reyes’ progress is good actually. We just went for a morning run for the first time. Just a simple run. Nothing fancy, nothing too intense, but his knee held up good. No lingering pain, no swelling. He makes good progress.”
The coach listened to her without giving away anything. “So, no pain.”
“No, sir, no pain.”
“And you’re sure he’s not taking pain meds?”
Julie’s eyebrows shot up. Did his coach think he was still addicted to those? “No, sir, he hasn’t taken anything in all his months here. I’m sure of it.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Julie was annoyed. Something about the coach’s accusation really nagged at her. “I’m sure of it because this is a small town. I know the doctor. I know the only grocery store in town and I know Kevin. He doesn’t take any pain meds. He doesn’t even have a car to go get them.”
The coach hummed, noncommittal. “Addicts always have their ways.”
“Excuse me?” Kevin was hardly an addict. At least not as far as she’d seen. How come his coach thought so little of him?
“Okay, Missy…”
Missy? Really. Kevin’s coach started to annoy the shit out of her. If he thought so little of her, why did he even allow Kevin to come here? She took a deep breath and another one to calm herself down.
“When will he be ready to come back?�
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How was it that everybody today wanted to know about Kevin’s progress? First, her father, now his coach. This was getting old real fast. “I don’t have the exact therapy plan in front of me, but I can send it to you, together with the last update, as soon as I’m in the studio.”
“That’s okay, I got staff for this. Just give me the gist.”
“We’ll soon start on the slide board—see how it goes. It has a lot to do with confidence in his knee, but I think we will get him on the ice for some light, controlled skating by next month, maybe even by the end of this month—no contact or anything—just smooth skating, getting back into hockey conditioning. Then another six to eight weeks before we start with on-ice mobility. Starts, stops, twists and turns, and pivots. It really depends on a lot of factors. And this can’t be rushed. Especially after what happened last time.”
“He’s expected back here by March, maybe April, so you get him ready by then, and we will take it from there.”
Kevin’s coach said goodbye and Julie ended the phone call. This guy was an arrogant asshole. He was brusque and not likeable at all.
The bad feeling about this conversation crept back in. Kevin wouldn’t like it at all. She had to tell him about this conversation—tell him what she’d told his coach.
Julie thought about the honesty conversation they’d had over a month ago. He made her promise he could have a say in what she reported back to his team. Too late—nothing she could do about it now. She thought about what the coach said—end of March. Nearly three months. Julie sighed and her heart ached. Possibly she was in love with this guy. A guy who would leave in three months and forget her within minutes. But this was his dream. Kevin had worked his ass off for this all of his life. He deserved another shot. He deserved his comeback.
And she would stand in row one to cheer him on.
Even though it would hurt.
A lot.
15
“Hey, how nice of you to come see me.”
Kevin smiled at Holly’s welcoming words after they entered the Black Cat Café. He looked at Julie, who smirked. Oh uh. Every time she had that spark in her eyes she was either being super funny or super sarcastic.
“Yeah, we’re only here to come see you. Definitely not because of your coffee and definitely not because we are starving.”
Holly laughed a big belly laugh. “Oh, aren’t you a sweetie? Two breakfasts coming right up.”
Julie moved to a small table right at the glass panel. She’d been unusually silent on their way here. But then again, she hadn’t yet scolded him for leaving her at the party yesterday.
Julie cleared her throat before she stared him in the eyes. “I gotta tell you something. And I’m afraid you’re not gonna like it.”
Suddenly Kevin knew exactly what she was going to tell him, but he was curious about exactly what she had to say.
“Your coach called me earlier.”
Kevin raised his eyebrows. “And?”
“He wanted to know your progress and stuff. I know we agreed I would run everything that I send to the team by you first, but I couldn’t avoid this.”
“So? What did you tell him?” It was cute how bent out of shape she was about this. Yes, Kevin liked to be in control of every aspect of his life. But he knew Coach. He had the ability to put you on the spot and turn you into a blubbering idiot. Kevin had seen it time and time again with rookie players on the team…and with himself, at least in the beginning.
“I told him where we’re at. That we had our first run today. That things were looking good and the plan for the next few months.”
Kevin knew that already. Coach had called him, while he’d been in the shower, but Kevin had called back right any way.
“She’s a feisty one, isn’t she?” Those were Coach’s exact words when he told Kevin about the call earlier.
Coach also told Kevin that Julie sounded like she knew what she was doing. This was high praise coming from Coach Foster.
“I’m sorry I didn’t run this by you first.”
Kevin shrugged. “It’s okay. There’s not much about my professional life that Coach isn’t or can’t be aware off. I’m happy they haven’t given up on me just yet.”
Julie scoffed. “You’re a great goalie. It would be dumb to give up on you just because of a tiny injury.”
Well, since this tiny injury had pushed him off the roster for the whole season, it sure didn’t feel minor to him.
“There’s more.”
“More?” Kevin wondered what else there could be.
“He asked me if you were still on meds. Didn’t believe me when I told him you weren’t and that I would know if you’d taken anything.”
So this was where the feisty part came from. Quite possibly Coach had tried to bully Julie into revealing something and hit a wall.
He leaned forward and kissed Julie on the lips.
The startled look on her face made him pause. “What?”
“We, this…” Julie stumbled through the words, not making sense at all. “I, oh”—she made a throwaway gesture with her hand—“never mind.”
Then she stood up, went around the table, sat in his lap, and kissed him for good. “Thanks for not being mad.”
Kevin tilted his head and hummed before he caught her mouth again for another searing-hot kiss.
There was clapping and hollering behind him and Kevin turned around, Julie still on his lap.
Peter, Lisa, and Holly stood by the entrance like cheerleaders at the sideline of an NBA game.
Peter stopped clapping and wiggled his eyebrows. “So, you’re finally out in the open.”
Julie giggled and Kevin scoffed. “Childish, anyone?”
He turned back and Julie jumped off his lap and toward her friends. “You here for breakfast?”
Lisa nodded and Julie decided they would eat together.
After she and Kevin moved tables, the girls instantly started chatting.
Apparently Lisa and Peter had an ultrasound appointment the next day.
Kevin crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back. “You nervous?”
Peter shrugged. “Seeing my little one the first time? Finding out if everything is all right with the baby?” He nodded before he shook his head as if he couldn’t make up his mind. “Of course not.”
Kevin chuckled. He had absolutely no experience with babies, or pregnant women for that matter. Thank God, because he hadn’t ever felt the need to start a family with one of the women he’d dated. Kevin looked at Julie, who had her hand on Lisa’s belly and a radiant smile on her face. Julie would make a great mother. With her openness to express her love, enthusiasm, and positivity. Any child would be lucky to have her as a mother. Kevin reigned in his thoughts. He wouldn’t be here to witness it. In mere months he would be gone. Waiting between the pipes for a horde of wild animals, skating at him at breakneck speed.
This was his life, his dream.
He shook his head to get the image of a pregnant Julie out of his head. Pregnant from some guy, who wouldn’t even know what he had in her.
He scrubbed a hand over the tightness in his chest and turned back to the conversation on the table. He couldn’t stay and Julie was just starting on her entrepreneurial journey. There was no way he could ask her to leave all this behind. If that’s what she even wanted. And there was no way he could stay. He had to get his mind on straight. Focus on the important stuff.
Julie’s hand crept into his own and when she smiled at him, Kevin lost himself in her beautiful face, his resolutions flying right out the window.
They were here. And finally Julie didn’t hide their attraction anymore. He couldn’t promise her any more than this, but then again, she hadn’t asked for more. Maybe she was just enjoying the here and now and he was overthinking.
A stab to his ribs pushed him out of his thoughts and he looked into the amused face of Peter. “Dude, where did you go? You just spaced out completely.”
Kevin grimaced and
he could feel his ears turn hot. “I just tried to imagine what your child will look like and I hope it resembles the mother. Otherwise it will have a hell of a hard time.”
The girls giggled and Peter looked pissed off for a second before he raised his eyebrow and kissed Lisa. “I hope so, too. At least if it’s a girl.”
“Will you find out tomorrow?” Julie asked.
Lisa shrugged. “Probably.”
“So, you want to know?”
Lisa shrugged and Peter nodded at the same time. Looked like there were still some things to discuss before then.
Kevin looked at Julie and when she leaned toward him and gave him a small peck on the lips, his heart squeezed. What they had was easy. Living in the now was easy. He wouldn’t think about the future right now. Except in hockey. He longed for the swishing sounds of the blades, the cool air in the stadium, and the noise and energy from the crowd. This was what he lived for…what he longed for. And he would get back on the ice. He trusted Julie and he would do exactly what she told him to do, when she told him to.
16
“Hey, Uncle Kevin, it’s your turn.”
Kevin looked at Sunnie, who had been silently waiting at the breakfast nook in the Inn’s kitchen for him to wrap up his phone conversation with Coach. Kevin stuffed his phone into his pocket, went back to the table, and examined the stack of cards in front of him.
“Did you cheat?” Kevin sat down again and picked his own Uno cards up. He chose a red card next.
Three months.
He’d been in Moon Lake for three months. And he felt good. Besides the lingering longing to get back on the ice, Kevin couldn’t remember a time when he’d been this happy and fulfilled. Julie stopped hiding their relationship that day in the café and he should have known that nothing Julie did would go unnoticed. So everybody in Moon Lake knew about the relationship and whenever he was out at the bar, the café, or the little grocery store, he received pats on the back, well wishes or friendly warnings by complete strangers.
Accepted by association.
