Page 30 of Staying Selfless

“Thanks, baby.” I hold her to me as tightly as I can, with her cheek resting against my chest.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t be. You’ll get some meetings. There’s no way you won’t after how you played this weekend.”

She tilts her chin, resting it on my chest as she looks up at me. Her pretty greens have gotten a bit clearer every day, but they’re still not bright as they usually are.

“I’m really proud of you,” she adds with a smile.

“I’m really proud of you, too.” She’s trying so hard to be present, it’s obvious, and I’m proud of her for that.

“Text me and let me know how many meetings you get.”

“I’m just hoping for one. Two if I’m lucky.”

From the buzzing that’s been happening in the lobby today, most seniors are getting one meeting with one NHL team, if that. There’s a shitload of guys who have already left this morning after not having a single team request to see them.

“Watch. You’re going to get like six.” Logan’s little smile is cute, but she has no idea what she’s talking about.

“Mmm-hmm,” I hum before leaning down and placing my lips against hers.

She runs the length of my back with her palms while I hold onto her, not ready for her to leave me just yet.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the scouts from Boston and Minnesota exit the hotel without taking as much as one meeting. My stomach drops at the sight. Not because I planned to play for either of those teams, but because it’s a reminder that I need to head to the registration desk soon and see if I have any chance at my dream career or if today is the end of the road for me.

Logan must notice the worry forming on my features because she puts her hands on either side of my face, stroking my cheeks with her thumbs and causing my eyes to lock with hers.

“I love you,” she reminds me, bringing me back to center, and calming my fears.

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I look at her. Yes, one of my lifelong dreams hangs in the balance today, but my other one, the pretty one with red hair, is standing here, loving me, and that’s more than enough. It’s always been more than enough.

“I love you too, Logan.” Lifting her off the ground, I nuzzle my face into the crook of her neck, taking in her sweet vanilla scent and appreciating every second with her a little bit more. I give her one more kiss on her lips, then place another on her collarbone before she braves the Chicago wind to get into Marc’s Jeep, waiting right out front.

I keep my gaze locked on her until Marc’s car pulls away and out of sight.

“You have a big responsibility right now,” Mary says out of nowhere, standing right next to me.

“What do you mean?”

“Being the partner to someone who is grieving. It’s a tough job.” She nods towards the front doors of the lobby, where Logan just exited. “I know this because I’ve done it. With your dad.”

My lips part slightly as I take in her words. I don’t know why I never thought to go to her before. Logan has been speaking to my dad for weeks because of her relatability to him, so of course, I should’ve put the pieces together that Mary has been in my shoes too.

“How did you do it?”

“I made sure it was never about me.” Her voice is clear and confident.

“What do you mean by that?” I glance up to where my dad was standing, but he’s nowhere to be found. That’s when it hits me. This conversation was conveniently planned.

“There are going to be waves. I remember that with your father. There were some really good days, and then, out of nowhere, there would be some really bad ones. So, I made sure I never took it personally because it wasn’t about me. It was about him and what he lost. Not me.”

Mary wraps her arm around my waist, leaning her short body into my side and tucking herself under my arm. I know this tactic of hers. She’s trying to soften the blow, but it’s no use. I already feel guilty.

“But more than anything, I was his friend. We were new in our relationship, and it was about a year after his sister had passed that we met. It was obvious we were falling for each other, but I made sure I was his friend when he needed me to be. And I truly think that’s what made us as strong as we are today.”

She looks up towards me, noting my blank expression and giving my side a little squeeze with her hand that’s wrapped around me.

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