“Can I talk to her?” Hazel begs. “Please?”
“Yes, but be quick,” I say, passing her the phone.
“Are you okay?” Hazel asks Vi, emotion coating her tone as she cries. “I love you and I’m sorry I said you’re a trashy skank.”
Erik meets my gaze, his eyes dancing with amusement. I gesture for Hazel to give me the phone back.
“We’ll see you soon, Vi. Wherever your plane is landing, we’ll be there waiting. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I end the call and fall into Erik’s arms, exhaustion taking over as my adrenaline levels drop.
“Thank you for everything you did to find her,” I say. “I know I haven’t been myself these past couple weeks, but—”
“Allie, don’t. You’ve been completely yourself. Any good parent would be a wreck in this situation.”
“What would I have done without you?”
“You’d have gotten through it; you’re strong.” He tightens his hold on me. “But you’re not alone anymore. You’ll never be alone again.”
I pull away and smile at him. “Those private investigators must’ve cost a fortune.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“It does, though.” His face gets blurry as tears well in my eyes. “I said horrible things to you when we broke up, because I just wanted to drive you away and embrace my grief. I thought it would be easier to break up than to try to be together and fail. And even after that, after ten years…you’re still you. You still opened your arms, and your life and…your bank account to me. You’ve never failed me, Erik. Not one time. I failed you, though, when I told you ten years ago that I didn’t want you anymore. Because I did. I did want you.”
“Baby, it’s okay. Everything’s okay.” He rubs my upper arms. “We’re not getting wrapped up in the past anymore.”
I bury my face in his chest and sob into his T-shirt.
“Allie, you’re exhausted. You’ve been through a lot. It’s all gonna be okay now. Vi will be home soon.”
I take a deep breath and exhale, letting myself sink into him. “You’re right.”
He looks at his phone and says, “They were able to charter a flight to Madison. The police are interviewing Vi and as soon as they’re done she’ll be on the plane.”
“The police?” I say weakly. “I wish Vi didn’t have to talk to the police, she’s upset enough already.”
“Jenna’s in a lot of trouble. There’s nothing anyone can do to stop that process.”
I lean back and look up at him. “She’s on her own now. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll be ready to go.”
“I’m going to go fill my rental up with gas so we don’t have to make any stops on the way to Madison,” Erik says.
I kiss him, smiling a real, full smile for the first time in days.
“What kind of car do you have in Chicago?” I ask him.
“An Audi Q7. You’ll love it.”
“I’d love you if you drove a motorized scooter. You know that, right?”
He grins and says, “I do.”
* * *
After driving all the way to Madison from Greentree Falls and eagerly waiting at the Dane County Regional Airport, I finally lay eyes on Vi. She’s crying and smiling as she approaches, a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a suit staying within three feet of her at all times.
That means when she breaks into a run, he does, too. Once Vi lands in my arms, she cries even harder, apologizing again.
“It’s okay,” I assure her. “Everything’s okay as long as you’re safe.”
“Mom wouldn’t let me call you. She wouldn’t let me leave her car and she locked me in a room at one of the houses we stayed in.”
“I’m sorry, baby. That must’ve been really scary.”
“Aunt Allie, I’m so sorry for all the things I said that made you feel bad. About not wanting to be with you. I was so stupid. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course.” I squeeze her tighter. “I’m always here for you, no matter what. You guys are stuck with me.”
Hazel hugs her next, and then Max does, too. I’m surprised when Vi looks tentatively at Erik and then hugs him, too.
“Thanks for sending Marcus to get me,” she says, looking like a little doll in his big arms.
“No problem, Vi. We’re glad you’re home safe.”
“Anything else you need, sir?” Marcus asks Erik.
Erik shakes his hand and says, “No, we’re good. I’d offer you a ride, but my car’s full.”
“I’ve got a car waiting,” Marcus says, turning to Vi. “Take care, okay?”
“I will.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “And please thank the others, too. You guys are heroes to me.”
He nods and smiles. “Yes, ma’am, and thanks.”
We all turn to walk out of the airport for the drive home. Vi’s clothes are dirty and her hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in days. I can’t wait to get home so she can clean up and sleep in her own bed tonight.
“Um…hey,” Max says, glancing at me. “I don’t mean to be that guy, but can we stop and get some food on the way home? I’m starving.”
“That’s what you’re thinking about right now?” Vi asks him. “Food?”
“Isn’t that what most people think about when they’re hungry?” Max fires back.
“You’d probably stop for a snack on the way to a funeral.”
“If I was hungry, I would.”
“Guys, no arguing,” I say. “Just for today, none at all. Tomorrow you can resume your regularly scheduled bickering. But please just give me this one day, okay?”
“Sorry,” Vi says sheepishly.
“Yeah, sorry,” Max adds.
“Do you mind if we stop to eat?” I ask Erik.
“Sounds good to me,” he says, winking and taking my hand.
Twenty-Three
Easy
I knew this day would come, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Tonight, after the cookout Allie and I are hosting in her backyard, I have to drive home to Chicago. Tomorrow I’m due at the Carson Center for training.
Even though she and the kids are coming to stay with me for several days in only a week, it’ll still be hard to leave. This is the beginning of our long-distance relationship, and even though we’re doing it for the right reasons, I already know I’ll miss her like crazy.
I don’t have a single doubt we’ll make it through this, though. We’ve got Allie’s schedule, and we trust each other completely. Even if we’re hundreds of miles apart, no other woman will capture my attention like Allie does.
“Hey, I love the shirt,” Cade says, coming up to clap me on the shoulder.
The kids on the rec center youth hockey team got me a going-away present. It’s a black T-shirt that says “Best Coach Ever” in white lettering on the front, and all of them signed the back. I promised them I’ll be back to help coach next summer and I’m hosting a party for all the players and their parents in a VIP box at a Blaze game this season.
“Enrollment in the youth hockey league has more than doubled, you know,” Cade says. “Now that everyone knows you’re gonna help coach when you can.”
“I guess they don’t realize they already have the best in you.”
He scoffs. “No need to kiss my ass, man. I appreciate what you’re doing more than you know.”
“You are a great coach. I’ll probably be asking you for a job when I retire someday.”
“Door’s always open, man. And if you ever want to bring any of your buddies up to help, I know the kids would go crazy. There are lots of hardcore Blaze fans around here.”
“Which reminds me,” I say. “Check your schedule for next July because I want you and your family to meet up with me and Allie and the kids and some of my teammates and families for a White Sox game. We’ve got access to a sweet box; it’s always a blast.”
“Sounds good.”
Allie walks ov
er to us. “Cade, I’m glad you came.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Did you eat?”
He pats his stomach and says, “Two full plates. Everything was great.”
“I had to get out that second bowl of potato salad already,” Allie tells me. “It must not be that bad.”
She doesn’t think she’s much of a cook, but I do. Allie was born to nurture others, especially as a mom. Since Vi’s return, Allie has been eating more and sleeping better. Wearing a T-shirt and the cutoff jean shorts I’ve forcefully pulled off her a few times, she looks refreshed and happy.
I like it when Allie’s happy. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her that way. Pulling her close, I kiss her temple and assure her that her potato salad is amazing.
Vi’s enjoying all the attention. Her friends are flocked around her on the other side of the yard, as she regales them with one of her that time I was kidnapped stories. But she’s fourteen and has a flair for the dramatic, so I guess that’s to be expected.
My mom peeks her head around Allie’s garage and waves at me, which is the signal we agreed upon.
“Hey, I need you to do something for me,” I tell Allie.
“Sure, what?”
I lead her over to a lawn chair sitting in the middle of the yard by itself and say, “Sit down right here.”
She furrows her brow and gives me a confused smile, but does it. I look at Cade and he nods, taking out his camera to video record what’s about to happen.
Max walks out from behind the garage carrying a dozen dark pink roses. He looks at Allie and smiles at her as he approaches, stopping in front of her chair and handing her the flowers.
“What is this?” she asks, taking them. “I mean, they’re beautiful, thank you, but—”
“Aunt Allie, thanks for coaching my soccer team all those years ago and making a strawberry cake every year for my birthday,” Max says. “Thanks for teaching me how to drive, for washing all of my uniforms about three hundred times and for cooking us dinner every night.” He grins. “Most of the time.”
“Oh, Max.” Her eyes are filled with tears. “I’ve loved every second of it.”
He turns serious and clears his throat. “I know it hasn’t always been easy. You’ve given up a lot to take care of us. And you’re putting your own happiness on hold for me this school year. I just want you to know…” He clears his throat again and takes a breath, trying not to let his emotion show. “I love you and I know you’ve made Grandma and Grandpa proud.”
She stands up, passing me the flowers, and hugs him, wiping her eyes and saying, “I love you, too.”
Max moves aside then and Vi walks out from behind the garage, carrying a dozen yellow roses. She’s crying before she even gets to Allie to pass her the bouquet.
“Aunt Allie, thank you for all the times you made me a Halloween costume even though it took forever and you had no idea how you’d make me into things like a cupcake and the sun.” She laughs. “And thank you for showing us what it means to love someone else more than yourself.”
Allie takes the flowers and sets them on her chair, hugging Vi. “I’ll always love you,” she says to her. “You guys are the light of my life.”
Vi pulls away from Allie and looks over at me with a smile.
Then Hazel comes out, carrying a dozen light pink roses. She passes them to her.
“Aunt Allie, you’re the greatest. Thank you for always supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for getting up early to drive to my tournaments and never minding that they take all weekend. I just…” She looks down, pulling herself together before looking at Allie. “I really love you.”
I take the flowers from Allie’s arms and she hugs Hazel tight. “I love you, too. And you guys all make me so proud.”
Hazel meets my eyes and I nod. She reaches for the flowers and I pass them back to her, and the other two kids walk over to us. I reach into my pocket and palm the ring box I put there this morning.
When I get down on one knee, Allie releases a shocked gasp and covers her face with her hands.
“Allie Douglas, I’ve loved you for a very long time now. You’re everything to me, and…” I grin and shake my head, because now I’m the one who’s choked up. “If you’ll be my wife, and if you, me and the kids can be a family, it’ll make me the happiest man in the world. So please, Allie, marry me?”
She’s nodding her head and leaning down to kiss me at the same time. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Everyone around us cheers as I slide the ring with a round solitaire onto her finger. She looks down at it and then back at me, her lips parted with shock.
“It’s beautiful!” she cries.
“We helped pick it out,” Vi says. “We knew you’d love it.”
“I do. It’s so perfect.”
I stand up and hug Allie while burying my face in her hair, soaking in a few moments of just me and her. I knew when I decided to propose today that it wouldn’t be the most intimate setting, but I also knew Allie would want to include the kids.
My mom and Aunt Jo are here, too, which meant a lot to me. When I look over at them, they’re both wiping their eyes. Mom gives me a big smile and comes rushing over.
“Congratulations!” she says, hugging Allie and then me. “I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter in law.”
“Aw, thank you,” Allie says. “I feel the same way about you.”
Mom’s smile gets wider. “And this means I get to be a grandma!”
“Well, not immediately, Allie says, laughing. “But yes, someday for sure.”
Mom looks over at Max, Vi and Hazel and says, “Those three are my grandbabies now.”
“Oh.” Allie’s expression softens and she takes my mom’s hand. “Yes, they are. Thank you for that.”
Mom looks to the sky and puts her hand up. “And two of them are girls, thank you, Jesus! I finally got some girls!”
She goes over to the kids and I hear her tell them they can call her Grandma from now on. Allie and I laugh and keep accepting the congratulations of everyone at the cookout.
It’s just about sunset by the time we get another moment alone. Almost everyone is gone, and we’ve finished cleaning up when I turn to her and say, “I better get on the road.”
I said goodbye to Mom and Aunt Jo when they left the cookout earlier. Allie calls the kids downstairs so I can say goodbye to them, too.
“Try to get in some skates this week,” I tell Hazel. “I should be able to get us a little ice time at the Carson Center when you guys come next week.”
“No way!” She jumps up and down with excitement.
“Yeah, it’ll be fun.”
“I can ice skate, can I come too?” Max asks.
“Sure.”
“Badass,” he says, grinning.
“I’ll just take photos,” Vi says. “Me and ice skating don’t mix.”
I don’t want to make the situation awkward for the kids, so I just wave at them, but I’m surprised when, one by one, they come up and hug me.
“See you next week,” Vi says, jogging up the stairs.
“Have fun at training camp,” Hazel says, following her.
“See ya,” Max says, heading for the kitchen.
Allie walks me out to the car then, and we kiss and hug for a solid fifteen minutes before I say, “Maybe I should just get up early and drive there in the morning.”
She laughs. “We talked about this already. You’d have to get up at like 2:00 a.m. You’ll feel better for the first day of training camp if you go now.”
“Yeah, but I’ll feel better right now if I leave really early.”
She kisses me again, saying, “Go. Before I change my mind.”
I get in my rental car and she leans around the driver’s side door to kiss me one more time.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you, too. Call me when you get there, okay? Even if it’s after midnight.”
“I will.”
I clos
e my car door and she presses her palm to the window. I put my palm on the glass against hers and we stay like that for a few seconds before she pulls her hand away and kisses her fingertips, blowing me a kiss.
She steps away from the car and I reluctantly start it. There’s a churning in my stomach as I remember the last time I pulled away from Greentree Falls, when Allie told me to leave and never come back.
But as I look at her in my rearview mirror this time, the dread and anxiety aren’t there. We’re not two teenagers with impossible choices to make anymore. Now, we know that what we’ve got is rare, and we’re committed to the dreams we have together.
I always knew Allie was my one great love. Who knew our futures would lead us back to where we started, together. Mom always quotes the “love is patient” passage in the Bible and now I finally get it.
Epilogue
Allie
One Year Later
Following his slightly longish kiss to seal the deal that is our marriage, Erik picks me up at the altar. Our friends and family cheer as I wave my bouquet in the air, filled with a happiness I’ve never known.
“We made it,” I say as Erik sets my feet on the ground and takes my hand.
“I love you,” he says, leading me down the rose-petal strewn aisle.
The botanical garden outside of Chicago where our ceremony was held is filled with people who want to wish us well. We kiss, hug and thank a couple hundred people before the rows of chairs have all been cleared.
I found out in the past year or so of wedding planning that marrying a pro athlete goes down one of two ways—either elope or have an outrageously expensive ceremony. We chose the second option because it was important to us to have our family and friends here.
My bridesmaids, Kelly, Hazel and Vi, wore beautiful sleeveless pale yellow dresses that were a bittersweet reminder that the girls are nearly women. With their hair styled and makeup expertly applied, Erik has had to tell more than one adult man that they’re only fifteen.
“So back the fuck up,” he says every time, a stern, protective look on his face.
Easy: A Chicago Blaze Hockey Romance Page 15
