Page 67 of Broken Promises

We drown our disappointment in greasy pizza while watching Declan play. Harlow gets really into it. “I like that one.” She points at the screen. Cal growls next to her and pulls her onto his lap.

“Martinez is a big flirt.” Although, I don’t think all the flirting in the world would get Declan to play better tonight. He’s skating slow, missing passes, and shooting right at the goalie. The cameras keep catching his face. He looks frustrated. I don’t know what’s going on with him.

What’s going on, hockey boy?

I know he can’t text me right now since he’s currently on the ice missing a pass from Ivanov. I’m hoping he’ll look at his phone when the period ends.

“Umm, Willa? I know nothing about hockey, but I think Declan is blowing it,” Harlow says. The period ends after a few more agonizing minutes. Utah is up by three already and there are still two more periods to play.

I watch Declan make his way down the tunnel. His head hung low. The camera catches Gideon, who makes a typing gesture like he’s using a keyboard and points at Declan while looking directly at the camera. He’s telling me I need to talk to my husband.

“I did text him,” I mutter.

Hockey Boy

I can’t keep my mind on the game when I’ve left you alone to deal with everything.

I’m fine, baby. Get your head in the game and show Utah what you’re made of.

I’ll try, Princess.

I sigh. “Alright, everyone. Get in close and smile like you’re having fun.” I hold up my phone and my friends do as I ask. Cal ends up having to hold my phone since his arms are the longest, but he gets a picture of all of us smiling. I send it to Declan immediately.

I’m not alone. I promise I’m okay. We all are. Just focus and do your job. Then come home and do me.

Fuck, Princess. You have no idea how happy that picture just made me.

Or how hard your words made me.

Tonight and tomorrow night and then you’re home.

I’m counting the minutes until I can bury myself in my perfect wife.

I shiver with anticipation as I read his words.

“Please tell me you’re not sexting him right now,” Maverick says, leaning away from me.

“Send him nudes if it gets him to shoot at the fucking net,” Kai mutters.

I ignore them both.

I have to get back out there. I love you, Princess. I’ll call you tonight.

I watch Declan return to the ice; a renewed determination clear in the way he’s skating. I have a love hate relationship with the way I can affect his game without even being there.

Gideon wins the face-off, passing it to Declan who skates around everyone and scores within the first eight seconds of the period.

“I’m going to need you to sext him between every period if they make the playoffs,” Cal says. I snort, but don’t argue.

I watch my husband skate around Utah like their players are just minuscule obstacles. He scores again right before the end of the second period. This time, when his team enters the tunnel, their heads are held high.

THIRTY-TWO

declan

I lookat the picture Willa sent of her with her family. People who are very quickly feeling like family to me too. She’s home, and she’s safe. Her smile ignites a fire in my chest. I never thought I could love someone the way I love her, but now I’m starting to think I couldn’t love anyone else because I was always in love with her. My love for her doesn’t feel new. It feels like it’s always been there, but my eyes are just now opening to it.

“We need two more, Monroe,” Gideon says, skating up to me while I make a lap around the ice before the period starts.

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