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His stormy eyes land on mine. “Pip.”
I scoot closer toward him so we’re eye to eye.
“No. Don’t ‘Pip’ me. I want to give you this.” My eyes stay trained on him. “Consider it an investment.”
A side of his lips quirks up. “An investment?”
I bob my head once. “A business arrangement,” I suggest.
“So it’s just business?” The heaviness from moments ago lifts slightly, and a grin spreads across his handsome face.
“Yep. And one day, you will pay me back.” I wink.
As the rain pours down and thunder rumbles in the distance, Aiden looks at me with a mix of disbelief and hope. He reaches out and takes my hand in his. “Just business?”
“Just business.” I smile up at him. “But you have to promise me one thing.”
He takes a deep breath, exhaling as he says, “Anything.”
I inhale, readying myself to be more vulnerable than I’m typically comfortable with. Even with Aiden.
“Promise you will never forget me.”
His head tilts to the side, his eyes still holding mine captive. The dark ring surrounding his irises moves toward the center, turning the deep blue even darker. Something…more.
“I’ll never forget you.”
I stick my pinky out. “Pinky promise on your puck.”
He links our fingers together with a smirk. “I promise.”
3
AIDEN
Ten Years Later…
I slump down onto the couch in my hotel suite across from my agent, feeling the weight of stress pressing down on my shoulders.
Despite everything, round one looms over my head like a dark cloud, and I can’t shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at my insides.
Tomorrow is game one.
We’re facing off against the Detroit Renegades. As a five seed facing off against a four seed, I should have my head on straight. Hell, this is the best team we’ve had in well over five years, but being back in Michigan is fucking with me.
Which is not something I have time for right now.
Ever since getting my big break all those years ago, I’ve prided myself on having full control over my life and, in turn, the game. I’ve been focused and dedicated, but the moment I crossed the state line, it seems like my mind is a mess.
Everything rides on this.
I can’t fuck it up.
This is our best shot for the Cup. Something I’ve dreamed about my entire life. Since that day all those years ago, when the coach of the prestigious academy saw something in me and changed the trajectory of my life. Had I not gotten the scholarship to the private school for my academics, I never would have started playing hockey.
Hockey isn’t exactly a typical sport a poor kid from the trailers falls into.
Every sacrifice I’ve made has gotten me to this point, and I won’t let myself or my team down.
