Page 211 of Staying Selfless

“Hell yeah, she does,” I say with pride. “But she doesn’t even know I’ll be there yet.”

“You still haven’t told her? What the fuck, Maddison? How did you keep this a secret for so long?”

“I didn’t want to tell her until I knew whether or not I was going to be home in time. But my parents have known for a couple of weeks. My dad is on a plane back to Minneapolis right now.”

“Logan is going to freak out.”

That statement instantly puts a smile on my face. She’s going to freak out in the best way possible. I did this because she wanted it for me, and I can’t wait to see her face tomorrow when she sees me in that stupid fucking outfit.

“And you sound way too giddy for a guy who just lost in game six of the Western Conference Finals,” Zanders states. “On home ice, I might add.”

“And you sound awfully bitter over there in Chicago. A little cold for May, don’t you think?”

“Well, a round-one loss in the playoffs to your once college rival, now turned pro rival, kind of stings, you know?”

“You got a ridiculously huge contract out of it. You don’t have much to complain about right now. Did you officially sign?”

“Signed last night. And signed on a penthouse flat in downtown Chicago this morning. You and Logan need to see it soon. This city is the best.”

“Maybe this summer.” I close up the last of my boxes. “Maybe we can add a weekend in Chicago before training camp starts in August.”

“Have you signed yet?” Zanders asks.

“I sign on Sunday.”

“Every team wants to suck your dick right now, I swear. It’s annoying as fuck.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” I tease.

“Yes and no. Chicago is where I would want to sign anyway. I never thought I’d say that after a round-one loss, but here we are. I’m just giving you shit, Maddison. What you’ve done in the league over the last six weeks is impressive.”

“Thanks, man. Hey, I have to hit the road. Talk soon?”

“For sure. Have fun with your girl tomorrow.”

“Oh, I will.” My lips slide into a smirk that he can’t even see.

Once I hang up with Zanders, I pack up my truck with the few boxes I brought with me before locking up the apartment and stashing my key for team management to pick up.

I take a sip of my fresh coffee, needing the caffeine to make the drive through the night. I’ll have to make the trip straight through to Minnesota in order to get there by noon tomorrow, but the look on Logan’s face will be worth it.

Before I start my engine, I send her the picture of the invitation I’ve had stored in my phone for weeks, waiting to show her until I knew I would be home in time to attend.

E: Hope you don’t have plans tomorrow.

Chapter 52

Logan

The last six weeks have been so hard.

None of this has been easy.

The only thing that has given me even an ounce of reprieve from missing him is watching Eli absolutely kill it in the National Hockey League.

He’s meant for this. He’s meant for greatness, and every team has noticed. The coaching staff has noticed. The media has noticed. The fan base has noticed.

But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that wonders if this thing we have, this little life we promised each other, is enough for Eli now that the entire world is offering themselves up at his feet. I’ve watched as endless possibilities and opportunities have thrown themselves his way over the last six weeks, and it’s made me question how I’d compete with that.

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