Page 107 of Scores Of The Heart

“Given the last time you tried to come together, I’d say that sounds about right. It’s sad though,” Andrea says. I know she’s close to her family and heading off on her trip to Canada this weekend. “She’s totally missing out on your life and how awesome you are. Plus, any potential guy you’re making a life with.”

I smile gratefully over my drink. “Thanks.” I sniff. “I feel sad too at times.”

“Well, my family means well even if they are all up in my business, so I guess we can’t have it all,” Simon sighs. “But I think I’d rather that than them trying to control my life.”

His parents have been supportive of everything he’s done, and when he told them he was gay and he wasn’t sure how they’d take it, they were totally on board. I’m glad for him because he’s such a sweet guy and both he and Andrea have been amazing to me since I met them.

“I don’t think she’ll ever come around, but it is what it is,” I say. “You get tired of worrying about it.” I want to shout it from the rooftops that I love Tyler. I’ve fallen for him hook, line and sinker. I’d love more than anything to have a close relationship with my mom, to be able to tell her everything that’s going on in my life. Even get advice when I need it. But I know that’s never going to happen.

Caitlin has always been the one for that.

I sigh and they both look at me. “It’s fine, it’ll be fine,” I say. “And my dad will come around, I’m sure.”

“He might even still be on a Stanley Cup high.” Simon shrugs. “So might be a good time to broach it.”

“I never thought of that,” I admit. “He’s known Tyler for a long time, so I’m sure it’s going to be fine. I’m old enough now anyway to make my own decisions.”

“That’s the ticket!” Andrea holds her glass up to mine and we clink.

“Well, I think you’re very brave,” Simon says. “And Tyler is totally worth any backlash, I’m sure.”

“I think so too,” I laugh.

“Simon’s totally right,” Andrea says. “If I had a hottie like Tyler, I wouldn’t be able to stay away!”

“Well, Mr. Right could be just around the corner.”

“You never know,” she sighs.

I glance at her and smile.“You must be excited about going home this weekend?”

“Yeah, I can’t wait. It’s been a while and my parents keep asking when I’m coming to visit.”

“Make sure you relax and enjoy the time off,” Simon adds. “I think I need to book a vacation before long too.”

They know about my plans to take a couple of weeks off when Andrea gets back, by then things should be out in the open with me and Tyler and we can enjoy some time at Mercer Island. I can only hope. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with him on our own terms.

We all drink to that and I try my best not to give away too many details because we’ve both agreed to keep the deets to ourselves. I know he will most likely be talking to his best friends, Luke, and also Jay from the team.

It’s exciting times for us and I feel we’ve come a long way over the Miami trip.

I’ve definitely come out of my shell more than I ever thought, and let Ty do things I’ve never let anyone do. Even Joel, who I was with for a year. And I would never normally do that with someone I’ve just met, so it shows the connection we’ve formed in such a short space of time. I feel so good when I’m with him. He’s nothing like the big bad boy they portray him to be at all. I’m realizing this more and more the time we spend together.

“You know, I think Ty is a perfect match for you,” Andrea says as we all walk back to the parking lot after our drink.

“Oh, yeah, you think so?”

“I know so. I’ve never seen you look so radiant, Cindy. I know you guys will work it out.”

That gives me a boost too that we will. It’s just a matter of time.

I drive home feeling better than ever. Henry is there to greet me. I feed him and we snuggle up together on the couch for the rest of the evening. I can’t help it as I whip my cell out and do some YouTube searching of the Hawks games just so I can watch Ty. The last game replay shows some awesome highlights and I can’t help but hone in on him. I love watching him play.

He’s my guy.

That stirs me deep in my belly. He’s so damned sexy on and off the ice. I smile as I watch, it fills me with something like magic seeing him on the screen. I can’t get enough.

And now I know how he feels about me from our confessions, and I feel the same. It’s exciting where this could take us and I feel the flutter in my stomach thinking about him. I can still feel his hands all over me, and his lips. Every touch was with expert moves and his sexy words.

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