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“Therapy.” He grinned before his face grew serious. “And Blake.”
I grunted. “Of course, it was Blake. Because he’s all sunshine and butterflies. Like Leo.”
“He’s both of those things, but he saved my life, Andy. He helped me realize I wasn’t living by hiding away in Canfield. Blake would have still loved me. He would have married me, stayed in Canfield, hidden away from the world, but that wasn’t what I wanted. What I wanted was this.” Tom raised his arms. “The roar of the crowd, the smell of the ice. Standing in the crease and protecting the goal.” He leaned closer. “The smile on my husband’s face when I come home from being on the road for a few days.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Gross.”
“You think I’m talking about sex?” Tom roared with laughter. “I mean, okay, yeah, but it’s the way Blake looks at me. He’s the reason I decided to get my shit together. The man who makes meget up in the morning, and the reason I fall asleep with a smile on my face.”
I could get behind that. “Leo makes me feel like that.”
“Because you’re soulmates.” Tom knocked my shoulder with his gloved fist. “It’s good to have you home, kiddo. I missed you, but not as much your fathers did.” He tilted his head. “You planning on marrying Leo?”
I flushed. “I am.” I still had the original ring I had given Leo. The one he threw back at me when I broke his heart. I wanted to have a few adjustments made to it before I slipped it back on his finger.
“Good man.” Tom winked before he skated off. I watched as he stopped to talk to all his teammates, knocking his head against the helmets before he moved into the crease.
I glanced up when Pop came to stand next to me. He had his phone pressed to his ear, a big smile on his face and that look in his eye. The one that he saved for Dad. All starry and heart filled. His voice was soft as he spoke, and I couldn’t stop the sudden rush of fear that gripped my throat and caused my stomach to twist into knots. I had to get out of here. I was suffocating and—
“Breathe, Andy.” Pop’s voice was in my ear. “I’m right here.” He combed his fingers through my hair. “You’re okay.”
I struggled in his arms. “I can’t.... Pop...I just...”
“Tell me three things you can hear,” he murmured.
I felt like I was choking. “Your voice. The puck slicing over the ice. My heart thumping against my chest.”
“Good.” Pop cooed softly. “Now, three things you can smell.”
I tried to calm my racing heart. “The ice.” I opened my eyes. “Your aftershave. And the popcorn that they always make during the games.”
“And three things you can see?”
“You, the ceiling, and Tom.”
My uncle grinned when Pop turned at the sound of his voice. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you both were okay.”
“Andy?” Pop’s eyes were now full of worry and fear. I hated that I had done that to him. Again.
I nodded. “I’m good, Pop.” But when he started to stand up, I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him into a tight hug. “Just give me a second.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.” Pop returned my embrace and held me as I gathered myself together.
When I finally pulled away, Pop gave me a small smile.
“Thanks,” I whispered as shame mingled in my throat.
Even when I was a kid, I’d never acted like this. I had been forced to grow up early, take care of myself, and trusting people hadn’t been easy. Until Dad and Pop came into my life.
“I’m always here if you need me.” Pop brushed the hair from forehead.
I hugged him again because if I didn’t, I might start sobbing like a fool, and I didn’t want to do that here. Not in front of my uncle or Pop’s team.
“I love you,” I said, my arms tight around his frame.
“I love you, too, kiddo.”
Chapter Forty-Two
