Page 45 of Slap Shots & Sweethearts

"A lot of that could have been avoided if I’d talked to you" He looks around and spots the flowers he'd been carrying earlier. "I plan to get you something better than these, and something better than the charm bracelet too. But I brought you those, hoping you'd be willing to let me in the door."

"No," I tell him, shaking my head softly. "You misunderstand. I love the bracelet and the charms. I hadn't opened the box yet when you came into my office. I thought it was from my friends because they'd been sending me gifts pretending to be a secret admirer."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted the people at the arena to think I was in a relationship with someone else so I'd be free to spend time with you."

He's silent for a moment as he pieces all of it together. "All those gifts were from your friends?"

I nod, relieved that he finally knows it all.

"You don't have a secret boyfriend?" he asks.

"No, I never did."

A grin spreads across his lips. "Good."

I bite my lip nervously, as I know the news I have to share next will hurt him. "I'm glad you came to see me before I leave. I was hoping I'd get the chance to tell you goodbye before I move."

He tenses, and his hands squeeze mine just a bit more, "Please don't leave."

"I don’t want to, but I might have found a new job. There’s a PR firm in Tennessee, they work with all kinds of clients. They have an opening for a junior position, and Nate said he might know someone who can tell me more. I love Glacier Bay, but I need a place where people don’t give me the job because of Lou." I can see the pain in his eyes grow with each word. “I’m good at what I do, and I want people to know that.”

"Then I'll move with you," he tells me, his voice full of desperation.

"Matt."

"Please."

"I can't ask that of you," I say as I gently pull my hands out of his. The loss of his touch aches. “You have your career to consider.”

“Would you consider a different big city with an NHL team?” he asks.

My head tilts in confusion as I look up at him. "I don't understand."

A throat clears, and we turn to see Nate and Lou standing by the doorway of my apartment. Their presence bursts the temporary bubble of privacy Matt and I had for our conversation. With them standing there, the living room feels a lot smaller.

Matt smiles at the guys, and his eyes are bright with excitement as he turns back to be and drops the news. "I'm getting called up to the big leagues."

"That's amazing!" I'm so happy for him, and that happiness for a moment eclipses my worries. "I know how much that kind of offer means."

"Congrats man." Lou moves in to high-five Matt. "What team?"

"I still need to work out the details with my agent. He said I've had a few offers, but I haven't looked any of them over yet."

“Pull it up now!” Lou insists. “What are you waiting for?”

Matt looks nervous as he pulls out his phone to open his email. He sorts through his email, and finally finds the one from his agent. Three different teams are making offers.

“I have my choice of Washington, California, or…” he pauses to clear his throat. “Tennessee.”

Nate high-fives Matt, but Matt is smiling as he looks at me, waiting for me to catch up with what it all means.

Reading the room, Nate tells me, "Lou and I are going to go deliver your stuff."

"We are?" Lou asks, his surprise evident. He’s still excited over Matt’s news.

Nate claps a hand on Lou's shoulder before he can continue talking, and starts pushing him out the door. "Yes we were, and then we'll be back for another load."

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