Page 65 of A Match Made In Fall

“We love you too.”

I set my phone on the nightstand and stare up at the ceiling. The room is quiet, but my mind isn’t.

I keep running through every possible scenario. There’s still a chance the trade won’t happen. Rumors circulate all the time in professional sports, and plenty of deals fall apart before they ever become official. Maybe in a few days this will all blow over and I’ll remain with the Bears.

But there’s also a very real possibility that I’ll be packing my bags sooner rather than later.

The Seals are one of the top organizations in the league. They have some of the best coaching, a huge fan base, and a history of success that every player dreams of being part of. From a career standpoint, it’s the kind of opportunity we all dream of. Being traded there could be a huge milestone in my career.

A few months ago, I wouldn’t have questioned it. Hockey always came first, no questions asked. But things feel different now. Hockey isn’t the only thing that matters to me anymore.

Now there’s Isabella. I’m sure people will call me crazy, but I can’t deny how I feel. There’s a level of excitement I feel every time I see her name show up on my phone. The way she makes even ordinary moments feel special and the future I’ve started imagining whenever we’re together.

For the first time, or maybe ever, I can see the possibility of something real. And it isn’t just about having fun—it’s about the future I see with her. This is why the thought of leaving her behind twists my stomach into knots.

I sigh, reminding myself that I don’t have concrete details yet. Maybe we’ll still have time and we can spend Halloween together. Or maybe this is the first real test we’ll need to go through.

If this is the case, then my mom is right. I need to talk to Isabella about this. She deserves to know what might be ahead, even if neither of us has any control over it.

As difficult as the conversation might be, I know I can’t put it off for long.

Because if there’s one thing, I’m certain of, it’s that Isabella is worth fighting for. And if we can navigate these possible challenges, I truly believe we have a chance to make this work.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ISABELLA

Admittedly, I feel like a completely new woman. Even if Austin says he’ll miss the boot, I won’t.

"Look at you. You must be thrilled right now," Eloise says the moment I walk into Coffee Corner Café.

I grin and slowly spin in a circle, proudly showing off the absence of the infamous gray boot I've been dragging around. "I feel like I’m getting my life back,” I admit.

Eloise laughs. "You're glowing."

"I’m sure it sounds silly, but that’s how I feel."

"You're probably dying to get back on the dance floor," she adds.

"Oh, I am," I exclaim. "Unfortunately, it's not going to be that easy. The doctor cleared me, but I still have months of physical therapy ahead of me. It will be a lot of work, and I’m sure it’ll be frustrating.”

Eloise winces. "Well, that’s a bummer. And it sounds exhausting."

"It probably will be," I admit. "But at least it's progress. For the first time in a while, I can actually see the finish line."

"I'm sure you'll breeze right through it," Abby says confidently from her spot at the counter. She's dressed in black scrubs, visiting during one of her longer breaks between patients.

"That's the plan,” I tell them. “I’m not good at taking things slow.”

"Besides," Eloise says, "you've already survived the hardest part."

I nod. "You're right. Compared to everything I've been through, a little physical therapy sounds like a dream."

"And that's exactly the attitude that's going to get you through it,” Abby says. "In other news, have you talked to Austin today?"

Heat immediately creeps into my cheeks. It's almost embarrassing how quickly hearing his name brightens my mood.

"He texted me this morning," I say. "It sounds like the road trip was a success."