Page 79 of Forever Player

I turn and leave before my friend can protest. I call an Uber because it’s freaking freezing outside and I head back to the hotel. My stomach is grumbling I’m so hungry. When I get to the room, I order room service.

I loosen my tie and FaceTime Willow. She picks up after two rings. “OMG, Brett, I can’t believe you did that,” are her first words, but what hits me most is that wide smile she’s sporting. This woman doesn’t smile enough. It’s like she is always carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“If it causes you to smile like that, I’ll have to do it more often,” I reply.

She laughs. “You’re crazy.”

“I’ve been crazy about you, Willow, but I know I still have some convincing to do,” I say.

“Well, you’re getting an A for effort. That was quite the goal you scored,” she says with a gleam in her eyes.

"I'll do anything for my girls. How was your day?” I ask.

Willow begins to tell me about going back to work and having Maylee in day care. My baby isn’t so happy to be there, and she is crying. The teachers say it’s normal but Willow has been nervous about it.

“I just feel so guilty,” she declares.

“Why? You’re doing an amazing job with her. The teachers told you that it’s a new environment and it’ll take time to adjust. She’ll be fine soon. She’s a Noble. She’s tough.”

Those words make Willow laugh. I’m not sure why. “Did I say something funny?”

“No, you just talk like such a jock,” she says.

“Nothing wrong with that. I work hard and learn to adjust to different circumstances.”

“True,” she agrees.

There’s a knock on the door.

“Give me a sec. I ordered room service.”

“It’s okay, we can talk another time,” Willow offers.

“Uh uh, we are staying on the phone. We’ve barely spoken all week. I’m back here by myself,” I begin to explain as I open the door and a waiter brings in my cart of food.

“Thanks,” I say to him and pass him a tip.

“Thank you, sir,” he says, and he bows out of the room.

I close the door.

“Shit, that smells good, I’m starving.” I wheel the cart closer to the small table.

“Why are you eating by yourself?” Willow asks as I remove the covers from the food and steam bellows off the steak and vegetables. I ordered a salad too, but I think I’ll save it for the end.

“The guys went to a bar to eat,” I say matter-of-factly as I take a seat at the table and set the phone against the ice bin, so I don’t have to hold it.

“Why aren’t you at the bar with them?” Willow asks, and a crease forms between her brows.

“There were a lot of women there waiting for the team. As in puck bunnies. They like to come up to us for photo ops. I didn’t want the media blowing something out of proportion or making up a story about me or causing shit, I don’t know,” I ramble nervously.

Willow’s lips are rolled in and her eyes are wide. “You didn’t go to eat with the team because you were worried about what I would think?”

“I mean, yeah. Is that a bad thing? I know I have a past, but those women don’t matter to me. All that matters to me is you and Maylee. I don’t want to be in a compromising situation. The reporters kind of know about you because of how things went down at the Nashville game,” I say, and she winces. “Don’t feel bad about that. It was all on me for being a jealous hothead.”

“I still can’t believe you were jealous over Jacob.” She giggles.

“Woman, I have never been jealous in my life. That should tell you something. The thought of seeing you with another man makes my blood boil,” I admit as I take the first bite of my steak. I close my eyes and enjoy the bite.

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