Page 97 of Mind Pucked

“The two are definitely not comparable, but I appreciate where you’re coming from,” I admit to him, because I know deep down that losing his wife, the mother of his child, has got to be a whole world different from losing my brother.

Both of them cut to the core…yes. But it’s a completely different relationship, a completely separate feeling. Even I can acknowledge that.

“Perhaps they are, but I understand it more now.” He squeezes my hand gently. “I just know that my wife would like you so much.”

“There will always be a place for Lyla in this home…in our lives,” I say to him as I abandon my food altogether in exchange for our conversation. “And I’m truly sorry for the sorrow I caused—on top of the sorrow you are already dealing with. I care for youso much now. I can’t believe I ever thought you were capable of hurting anyone, let alone the woman you loved so much.”

“It’s forgiven, Amelia. I love you so much—I wish I would have realized before how much I’d already forgave you.” His thumb strokes the back of my hand.

“Now that all the forgiveness has been given and apologies have been made…” I smile at him, returning to my food. “What was that little fight on the ice about yesterday? It had to be something big. And two fights in one day, aren’t you feeling feisty?”

“That was Wayne Goodall,” he says as if that’s enough of an explanation.

“Wayne Goodall?”

“Yes, he used to be on our team back when Preston was still with us.” He pauses a moment, and I realize he’s trying to figure out how to word things. “I mean, while he was still a part of the team.”

“I figured that’s what you meant,” I chuckle softly.

“Anyways, Wayne was traded shortly after. He was on your brother’s team before Preston was moved to the Blue Jays. There was always a kind of rivalry between me and your brother, but Wayne seemed more like a shadow than anything. Not my shadow—Preston’s. Anyways, he said some things about Lyla, and I about went off the deep end, but when he began mentioning you…” He pauses for a moment and reaches out to take my hand once again. “I saw red.”

“Me?” I wonder out loud, realizing that he fought for me even when we weren’t together. “What did he say about me?”

“It’s not worth mentioning, but you sure are worth fighting for,” he says as he reaches over and caresses my face, kissing me gently on the lips.

“I love you so much,” I say as we pull away.

“I love you too.” He leans back and takes a bite of his bacon.

Damn, this man is so sexy when he eats. He’s sexy when he does everything.

“I’m sorry that I thought you were capable of such things in the beginning,” I add. “That was before I got to know you. Before I fell in love with you. Thank you for letting me love you.”

“Thank you for loving me, and for letting me love you in return,” he says, and I’m sure this man is the sweetest man in the whole world.

“Promise me something,” I say to him softly.

“Anything.”

“Let’s vow to never be apart, to always be honest, and to never let our rocky beginnings become rocky endings ever again.” I lift my glass.

“Never again.” He clinks his glass to mine, and we smile, reveling in the happiness of the moment.

28

JACKSON

Hayden came home with the biggest smile on her face. I’m so happy to see my little girl happy once again. Hell, I’m happy to be happy again myself.

My parents stayed for a little while, visiting with us and questioning us about our relationship. My mom seems thrilled.

I smile as I watch Hayden and Amelia playing on the floor together. Things have been going well between us since the night at the club, but I can’t help being a bit apprehensive.

I don’t like feeling this way, but it’s in my nature. It’s all been forgiven, but that doesn’t mean it’s so easily forgotten. I don’t bring these feelings up with Amelia—there’s no sense in making her insecure about anything. She’s amazing.

Their laughter breaks me out of my thoughts, and I smile again as Hayden’s giggles fill the room. That’s the sweetest sound a father can hear.

I don’t know many women who would get on the floor and play Legos with a little girl for hours on end, but Amelia does.

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