by Kat Bammer
Her feelings were all over the place. Seeing him play made her miss him even more, but she was happy for him at the same time. He’d worked hard for this. Someone less driven wouldn’t have had his level of determination and would’ve quit after the re-tear.
But not Kevin.
He was awesome off the ice and now once again on it. For that she admired him and maybe even still loved him a teeny tiny bit.
“Look at Kevin. Isn’t he wonderful?”
Since when did her mother have eyes for anyone except Paul? And no… Julie focused on Kevin’s face behind the cage the next time the camera panned on him. It didn’t look wonderful. His expression was fierce, maybe even a little bit mean, but not wonderful.
“Hey, have you guys met our newest addition yet?”
Julie’s mother gave her a blank look. Obviously the segue wasn’t very smooth.
“Lucas Ford, a former teammate of Peter’s and Blake’s. He moved here a month ago, and he’s a client of mine.
Her mother’s blank look didn’t change until her father turned his attention from the game to their conversation.
“Course I’ve met him. He’s a nice enough guy, and you have met him too, Janet.”
Julie’s mother shook her head.
“Oh, come on, the nice young man without legs?”
It was like a light bulb went off in her mother’s head. “Of course I’ve met Lucas…such a nice young man. But why are you bringing him up now?”
Soon her mother’s and father’s attention was captured by the game and she relinquished any further attempts at conversation.
The clock ticked down the last seconds of the game and Julie scrambled to get up and gather her things. They’d won, and she didn’t feel like listening to Kevin’s post-game interview.
“Hey, I gotta go. See you later.”
Her mother gave her a sad smile while her father’s eyes were glued to the post-game commentaries.
When Julie stepped outside, she took a deep breath. She did it. She’d watched the first game without suffering from major heartbreak. It wasn’t easy watching Kevin, but it was more like a nagging pain somewhere in her chest. Maybe regret about what could’ve been. But it would fade.
On her way to the Inn, Julie’s eyes fell on the small cottage. Lucas was living there now. Visions of Kevin and her making love in the cottage threatened to swamp her until she forcefully stopped them. No sense in indulging them. It only made her heart hurt more than it already did.
She entered the Inn through the kitchen door and was surprised when everybody was gathered there. Was there something going on she wasn’t aware of?
Peter leaned against the counter with Lisa between his legs. His arms were wrapped around her and the baby monitor was clipped to his belt. They were deep in conversation with Tara and Dorothy, who was holding a cup of coffee in her hand. Across the kitchen Blake was cradling little Amelia while Sunnie and Claire sat on a blanket on the floor playing with little Seb. Jessie, Holly, and Milli sat at the breakfast nook. And by the coffee maker, Lucas Ford was talking to Sheriff Travers.
They all looked up when she entered the kitchen.
“Wow, I didn’t know there was a party going on.”
They all smiled at her, even though Lisa’s and Claire’s smiles were a little strained. Something was going on here. Something everybody knew about except her. Julie squatted down to tickle Seb, and the little boy crowed when he finally caught her hand. “So, wanna tell me what’s going on?” She got back up and Claire did the same while Lisa stepped toward both of them. Their eyes were somehow guarded, but she didn’t know why.
“Did you see the games, the press conference?” Claire didn’t have to clarify any further and Julie nodded.
“Just watched the second game with my parents.”
“So, how do you feel about it? What do you think?”
Julie looked at Lisa. What the hell were they talking about? She gave a one-sided shrug. “I guess it was okay. Kevin looked good, and they won.”
“Did you see the post-game interviews?”
Julie shook her head.
“We gotta show you something.”
Her eyebrows shot up. Why where they being so mysterious? And why were they all looking at her as if she was missing the point completely?
Julie followed Claire and Lisa into their office. They sat her down near Lisa’s computer and started a YouTube video. It looked like Kevin’s post-game interview, the one she just barely escaped at her parents’, and Julie got up again, just to be pressed down by Claire…with surprising force. “Sit.”
“We didn’t see it, as well…until the boys told us.”
God, what was wrong with them? Couldn’t they just leave her alone?
Julie watched a very sweaty Kevin being interviewed while still on the ice. He looked good. His breath was a little shallow, his hair disheveled, and sweat was running down his face. But he looked good.
“So how are you feeling, Mr. Reyes?” the reporter asked.
Kevin chuckled. “Sweaty, but good.”
“We all prayed for your comeback. Looks like you did a good job?”
“Yeah, everything went well. But if it wasn’t for the team and my therapist, I might not have made it. She really made all the difference. She’s motivating and fierce but also incredibly caring. She’s like the perfect blend of Mother Teresa, Tinker Bell, and a drill instructor.”
“Thank you.” The reporter turned over to Paul, and Claire stopped the video while Lisa and her watched her like hawks.
There was a fluttering in her stomach and she grimaced. She didn’t know if she was flattered, or a little weirded out by his description of her.
“So, what do you think?” Lisa said.
“I think he’s okay.” Julie rubbed her forehead. “I watched the replay of the game. His knees looked good. He was confident on the ice… They won.” She shrugged.
“He clearly misses you.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. He’s just grateful to be back.”
“Oh, but we do know. Watch this.” Lisa pulled up another window—another video of Kevin. This time he was in a suit surrounded by his teammates.
When Lisa clicked to start the video, Julie sighed. She really didn’t need to see another video of Kevin. As much as she didn’t want it to be, watching him on the ice in his bulky equipment was one thing, but seeing him close up, hearing his voice, was infinitely worse.
“I played hockey my whole life,” Kevin said, and Julie’s breath stopped. “But I decided I played my final game yesterday. So today I am ending my career. There’s a lot of good talent on this team, and now it’s time for them to step up and be the best goalies for this team.”
“What do you plan on doing?” one reporter asked.
“I don’t know yet. Settle down. Enjoy life for a while…”
Lisa stopped the video, but Julie stared at the screen, her mind racing. What on earth had he done? Did he re-injure his knee? She hadn’t seen any evidence of that. Had she missed something? Julie shook her head. She didn’t know what was behind this step he was making. But her heart hurt for Kevin. He’d worked so hard for his dream. He gave it his everything and for what? For two lousy games?
But then again, she admired him for taking the step. Going out on his own terms. It must’ve been incredibly hard for him, something he didn’t let on, at least not in front of the press. He’d looked…relaxed…almost…relieved.
“So?” Claire turned Julie’s chair to face her. “What do you think?”
Julie shrugged. “He ended his career. Maybe his knee wasn’t holding up?”
“He did it for you.” Lisa turned Julie’s chair to face her and gave her a stern look.
Julie shook her head. No, he didn’t. He didn’t even call her. And nothing he said indicated that. Lisa turned her chair back to face the computer and clicked play once more. But Julie had heard enough. She wanted to lay her hands over her ears, to not hear anymore. Her whole bo
dy hurt. Seeing him hurt. And hearing him made it worse.
“…Maybe ask the love of my life if she could forgive me for taking so long to get my head on straight, and if she maybe could imagine spending the rest of her life with me.”
Julie’s mouth fell open as a flush of adrenaline zipped through her body and left her tingly all over. Did he just say what she thought he said?
The girls squealed and hugged Julie from both sides.
“See. We told you. He did it for you.”
The phone in her pocket rang and Julie scrambled to get it out.
She looked at the display. “It’s him.”
Lisa and Claire went to the door. “We’ll leave you alone for now. Come on out afterward. We have to plan Jessie and Alan’s second wedding, and Claire’s and Blake’s.”
Julie nodded and took the call. Kevin’s face filled the screen of her phone.
Julie turned away from the computer, where his face filled the screen, as well.
“Hey, Julie.”
Julie’s heart drummed in her chest and warmth radiated through her body. His voice was a little rough, but boy, just hearing him speak her name did things to her body. “Hey.”
“I don’t know if you saw it—”
“I did. Just now.”
“And?”
“And what?” Julie held her breath.
“Can you forgive me for being the dumbest asshole that ever walked this earth?”
She forcefully exhaled. This was Kevin. He looked more serious than ever. She had to relax a little before she had a stroke. “You’re not the dumbest. There’s always Paul—”
He chuckled. “Yes, thank God, there’s Paul, uff—”
Julie could see her brother’s arm choking Kevin from behind and him complaining in the background.
“So, is there a possibility, you would consider, ahem, giving me another chance, maybe?”
“Maybe.” Julie really didn’t know. Her heart wanted to jump at the opportunity, but her head told her to be guarded. It was just too good to be true. Could she trust a man who could just switch off his feelings like that? Also, the time they had been together was shorter than the time they had been apart since.
There was another shuffle and this time Paul took over the phone and his face appeared on screen.
“Come on, Sis, don’t give him a hard time. He’s really dumb. And he really suffered without you. I did too.” He sighed, very melodramatic, and Julie would’ve laughed if it wasn’t for the lump in her throat.
“Give me back my phone and go away, Paul.”
“No, really. You two were both beyond miserable and I need my sister and my best friend back.”
“Oh, so it’s all about you now, is it?” Julie chuckled when her brother grinned and nodded like a little child.
There was a shuffle, and a hand covered the camera. After some name calling and a healthy dose of uh’s and ouch’s, Kevin’s face came back on.
“Julie?” There was a click of a door and Kevin looked up, then down on the screen again. Most likely her brother had left.
“I really missed you…and I was miserable from the moment I left you. Every. Single. Day. I regret I left, without saying, what’s been on my mind—”
“…And of course you’re also sorry for not calling and texting afterward. Aren’t you?”
Kevin chuckled. “I most definitely am… Julie?”
“Yes.” Julie held her breath.
“I want you back. I need you in my life more than I’d ever imagined possible. More than hockey. More than anything. Can you imagine giving me another chance?”
“Maybe.” Julie paused—oh, who was she kidding? “I mean yes. We gotta take it slow though. Really get to know each other. And there’s one condition.”
“Okay…”
“This can only work if we’re a lot more open with each other. Trust each other…talk about what’s on our mind…out loud…no exceptions.”
“Oh, believe me. I know.”
A pregnant silence stretched between them and Julie scrambled for something to say. She didn’t want this call to be over just yet.
“I love you, Kevin.” Julie squeezed her teeth together. There, she’d said it.
“I love you, Julie. I’m closing down shop here. And then I’m coming home.”
“Home?”
“Home.”
“To Moon Lake?”
“Yes, baby, wherever you are, I want to be.”
Julie sniffled and tears of joy pooled in her eyes.
“Really?”
“Hundred percent.”
“Good. I love you and I miss you like crazy.”
“Love you, too.”
“Can you hurry?”
“You could come up here, help me pack.”
“I could. But only for a few days. I can’t keep my clients hanging, and we have to be back for the wedding.”
“Blake and Claire? He didn’t say anything when we talked earlier.”
“Yes…and Jessie and Alan…again… It’s kind of complicated…and not a big thing. Just friends and family…and the people from town.”
“We’ll be down in time.”
“Good.”
“Now go pack. I’ll check flights. And Julie…”
“Yes?”
“Nothing…just get up here as fast as possible. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
24
Kevin looked into Julie’s warm eyes. He couldn’t recall a time in his life when he was more at peace with himself as well as with his environment. His woman was really the most amazing woman on earth. The two weeks they had spent in Hamilton together turned out to be getting-to-know-each-other—on steroids. They’d spent every minute of every day together. He took her to all the final meetings with his team and the staff. And part of him was sad to say goodbye to his old life. But another part of him very much looked forward to his new life with Julie. And of course the people of Moon Lake.
Kevin smiled back when Julie joined him at the lawn in front of the Inn. There were chairs and a trellis. The wedding was originally planned inside, but due to the unusual warm fall weather, the girls changed plans on short notice.
“It kinda suits you,” Julie said with a grin.
Kevin looked down at the small bundle in his arms. When Lisa first approached him and laid little Katie into his arms, he’d freaked out a bit. But now, nearly an hour later, holding the baby in his arms felt like the most natural thing in the world.
He looked back up at Julie and saw little Amelia had buried her little fist in Julie’s hair.
He smirked at her pained expression but immediately helped.
“Hey, little girl, easy on the hair pulling. It’s only allowed in special situations. And then you’ll need to make sure it’s the right level of pain, so she likes it.”
Julie’s gasp made Kevin chuckle.
“You can’t say things like that to little kids.”
“Oh come on.” He untangled the little fist from her hair before he kissed both Julie and Amelia on the head. “She doesn’t understand it anyhow, and it’s not like I used any language.” He waggled his eyebrows at Julie and laughed at the redness that tinged her cheeks. Maybe she remembered last night, when they were up in her room in her parents’ house and he had to cover her mouth to keep her quiet.
Peter joined the little group with little Seb on his hip. “How did you two get wrangled into baby duty?”
Kevin chuckled and pointed at Julie, who shrugged her shoulders. “I offered to help and all the other jobs were already taken so…”
Peter blew a raspberry on Seb’s neck which made the little boy giggle.
Music started and Kevin’s eyes stuck on Julie’s face when the ceremony began. There was something about weddings…
“Hey, Peter,” Kevin whispered, “tell me again why Alan and Jessie are doing this. I thought they got married in March right after I left.”
Julie looked up at him and shook her
head.
“Well, the first wedding had been out of necessity, so they both couldn’t really enjoy it. Plus, it was cut short by the arrival of this little lady here.” Peter caressed Amelia’s cheek with his finger, then he bent down and gave Katie in Kevin’s arms a kiss.
“Dude. Don’t wake her up.” Kevin squeezed the little bundle tight, which made Katie restless. Oh shit, now she would wake up and scream before the ceremony had even started. Kevin held his breath, but the little girl settled right back down and didn’t open her eyes. He relaxed his muscles and let out a huge breath which made Peter chuckle.
“Already feeling protective—maybe you should start working on your own.” He nodded to Julie, and Kevin lifted his eyes from Katie to Julie and back again.
Maybe he should. Now that he’d settled down. No need to be on the road so much, or have any “elsewhere” obligations. Now that he’d found the woman of his life, maybe they could start their own little family.
He looked at Julie who rolled her eyes and took a step in the other direction. “Seriously? Don’t get ahead of yourself, you two. We just started dating like two weeks ago. We’re not considering having kids at this point.”
Was she afraid he’d jump her? But when Kevin saw the visible tension in her neck, shoulders, and arms, he closed the gap between them and kissed her temple.
“Just joking around, babe. No need to hurry. We got the rest of our lives to figure it all out.”
Julie relaxed and Kevin did too. He would address this thing again later. See where both of them stood on the topic. Maybe they would wait awhile. But seeing how good Julie was with kids, he was pretty sure they would have a few of them running around their new house in a few years.
He concentrated back on the wedding, and Peter next to him sighed when a radiating Lisa walked up to the trellis where Alan and his best man Blake already waited for the bride. Later, when it was Blake and Claire’s turn, they would switch it up and Peter would be Blake’s best man.
Next up was Claire, followed by Jessie who seemed happy and relaxed. She even smiled at Kevin, Peter, and Julie, and the little boy in Peter’s arms squealed when he saw his mother. Jessie stopped and stretched her arms out, and little Seb went into his mother’s arms.
