Page 249 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

watering the plants near the therapy gym.

"I hear that you should be celebrating."

" I guess. Small town, eh?"

She sets the watering can aside. "You don't sound very convincing."

I manage half a smile. "I always thought getting cleared would feel... bigger."

"It usually does."

I lean against the wall, folding my arms carefully across my ribs.

"Can I ask you something?"

She nods.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Her forehead creases.

"With Annette."

The words scrape against my throat. "Did I miss something?"

Mrs. Alvarez doesn't answer immediately. She looks down at her hands. Then back at me.

"No."

The answer comes so quickly I almost don't believe it.

"No?"

She shakes her head. "You treated that young woman with more kindness and respect than most people ever experience."

"Then why did she leave?"

A long silence stretches between us. Finally...she sighs.

"Jamie..."

She chooses her words carefully. "Sometimes people walk away because they believe they're protecting someone they love."

I stare at her. "What?"

The color drains from her face. For just a heartbeat she looks as though she'd like to take the words back.

"I..."

She stops. "I'm sorry."

"No." I straighten. "What did you mean?"

She hesitates. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Mrs. Alvarez..."

Her eyes fill with regret. "Annette never stopped caring about you."