Page 80 of Worth the Risk

“Of course.” Uncle Bennett looks uncertain. “This is a lot to take in. Are you okay?”

“Oh, sure,” I tell him with a shaky smile. “But this week can suck it.”

He chuckles. “Completely agree.”

The attorney was all too thrilled to hand over the entire investigation to the police. I wasn’t sure if I did the right thing by not preemptively telling my uncle about my aunt’s potential involvement, but the attorney agreed with me to let the police handle it. If Aunt Caroline did in fact set all of us up, including her own brother, then she needs to be held accountable.

One factor I didn’t count on was the involvement of the terrible terrors. Lindsay and Jessica had both been incredibly helpful with getting information to the attorney. They had at least six other female employees who were willing to go on record that Coach Woodward had touched them inappropriately, and another few who said they were propositioned by Woodward.

A detail in the investigative report showed that a few players were approached as well. Luca’s arch nemesis Gabe Dawson reported more than once that Woodward wanted him to set Luca up, and Gabe refused. The only thing he admitted was riling Luca up in the locker room on one occasion. I sincerely hope Gabe is a better person than Luca has always thought.

After handing everything over to Denver PD, we made our way to the airport for our afternoon flight. Uncle Bennett managed to get us two seats on a budget airline with a layover in San Francisco. We’d arrive in Seattle just before puck drop, and wouldn’t get to the arena until the second period.

I only hope nothing disastrous happens before then.

“Hannah.”

I look up at my uncle, who watches me with a hint of a smile. “Hmm?”

“You’re shaking the entire row of seats, pot pie.”

I didn’t even realize I was shaking my leg, so lost in my own thoughts. “Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize, kiddo. I know you’re freaked out.”

“It’s just …” I trail off, trying to collect my thoughts. “If something happens to him, I won’t forgive myself.”

“This isn’t your fault.”

“I encouraged him to go, Uncle Bennett. He wanted to resign from the team. He didn’t want to leave me.”

“He really wanted to quit?”

I nod.

“Damn. I had no idea he was set on that.”

“Had he mentioned it to you before?” I ask.

“No, but I could definitely see it. There’s a point in every aging hockey player’s career where shit just gets tiring. Every year there’s a younger and faster guy trying to take your spot. I could see it in Luca’s eyes when it stopped being fun for him.”

“I don’t want him to regret giving it up for me,” I confess.

“He’s not giving anything up, Han. He’s gaining so much more than hockey. He’s getting a future with you. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

I let my uncle’s words marinate in my thoughts through our flight to San Francisco, and the hour layover. After taking off on the two-hour flight to Seattle, I finally speak up. “How will I know?”

“Know what?” Uncle Bennett responds.

“If I made the right choice. If Luca doesn’t regret anything. Everything.”

He chuckles. “Seeing as how I’m single with zero prospects for a woman, I don’t think I can give you dating or relationship advice, Han. I can only say this: close your eyes and envision your future. Think about picking up your son from daycare, and going home to your cute house full of toddler toys, Georgia peach paraphernalia, “ I giggle at that thought, “and your husband cooking dinner. Is it Luca at the stove? When you’ve had a bad day, who do you want to run to? Who will make your heart feel better? If Luca doesn’t come up for all of those scenarios, then we can get right back on a plane in Seattle and head back to Denver. But if it is Luca in your dreams, then we’re doing the right thing.”

I think about picking up my child — a daughter, because Uncle Bennett is clearly wrong there — and going to my cute house in Eternity Springs. Only a few Georgia items, but lots of things that remind me of my husband. A room devoted solely to his hockey career, but with a smattering of toddler toys throughout the room as well. A beautiful juxtaposition to explain our unique dynamic. And Luca, with help from his mom, cooking lasagna at the stove. As soon as he turns to give me his breathtaking smile, I know. Luca is my destiny.

“He’s it for me, Uncle Bennett,” I say quietly.

He gives me a soft smile. “I know he is, pot pie. I just wanted to make sure you knew it, too.”

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