Page 59 of Shoot Your Shot

“I made a promise, and I failed her. But more importantly, I failed you. So, it’s not just you who needs to be forgiven, Kolt. It’s me too.” I inhale, weeping. “We’ve hurt each other so much. Do you really think we could ever come back from it all?”

“You didn’t fail me, and you didn’t fail her. You’re here, Paige. If you had given up, you would have hung up the phone when the doctor called. But you didn’t.” His hands slide to my face, and he brings his forehead closer to mine. “And, yeah, I do think we can get back to being us, baby. But only if you believe it too.” Pressing a kiss to my forehead, he pulls back enough so that his eyes are level with mine. “I love you. And I know you love me too.” Even with those words, his doubt is palpable.

“Sometimes, love isn’t enough,” I whisper.

“That’s what they say, but I call bullshit.” He shrugs. “I still have some time to prove that to you, and I was thinking we should head back today.”

“Why?” A frown instantly forms on my face. “I thought … I thought you wanted to be here. With no distractions. This was your idea.”

“Yeah, I know. But here’s the thing: no matter where we are, our problems are going to be the same. I have to return to practice on Monday, and I’d like to spend tomorrow with you at our house now that we’re on better terms.” He swipes his thumbacross my cheek over and over. “Also, I’d like to see your office in Boothbay. Because even though it was hard to find out you’ve been living so close this entire time, I’m so fucking proud of you, Paige.”

“You want to see my office?” I whisper. “Really?”

“Fuck yeah, I do,” he answers quickly before cringing. “I’ll be honest; I don’t know if I can handle seeing your new house, but I want to check out your office. And I was thinking … maybe we can pick up your three-legged cat.”

I roll my eyes, fighting back a laugh. “Again, you can just saycat. Or Rocket.”

“Yeah, but what fun would that be?” he teases, lightening the mood, like he does best. “We have a long way to go, and I know there’s been a lot of damage done and there’s a lot to factor in, but I’ll do whatever I can to prove to you that we can make this work.” He presses his lips to mine. “So, let’s go see your office and get your …cat. Let’s go get your ordinary, nothing-to-see-here cat. And then let’s go back to Portland.”

Closing my eyes, I lean in and breathe him in before looking up at him again. “Let’s go home.”

“As long as you’re there, it will always be home,” he whispers, bringing his lips to the top of my head again.

And dammit if my husband didn’t melt my entire heart and soul into a puddle.

Ihold on to Rocket, whose claws are digging into my sweater out of fear. I knew Ted was intimidating for me, but for Rocket, she’s downright terrifying.

We got back home late last night from our short but needed getaway, and I’m more exhausted than ever. I’m emotionally drained, and I know we have a lot of work to do to figure out our future.

When we got back, Ted was sleeping in one of her weird spots, so we didn’t really know where she was, which meant Rocket was in harm’s way. So, I decided to use caution and lock him in the guest bedroom with me and closed the door, so Ted couldn’t attempt to murder him.

Now, it’s morning, and the two are finally being forced to get acquainted. To put it lightly, Ted isn’t being all that nice. If this were a playground, Ted would be the bully who didn’t want anyone else to touch the slide, even though she wasn’t using the slide and had no interest in it, and poor Rocket would be the kid who really, really loved freaking slides.

“They’ll be fine,” Kolt says coolly from the kitchen, as if his cat hasn’t tried to slaughter mine numerous times. “You worry too much.”

My mouth snaps open, and I glance over at him. “Excuse me, your cat literally attacked him. The poor bastard is alreadymissing a leg. Can she show him just, like, a little grace? Maybe give him a pass?” I shrug. “Is that too much to ask?”

“If I were missing a nut, would you give me grace?” he drawls, clearly entertained.

“You get plenty of grace, asshole,” I utter before glancing at Ted, who’s glaring at my poor, innocent Rocket from across the room. “Ted is terrifying.”

“Ted’s protecting what’s hers. The ol’ bitty fought her way into this house; she’s probably afraid you’re going to kick her out,” he tosses back. “They’ll get used to each other. They are cats. Everyone knows cats are bitchy and fucking weird.”

“No,yourcat is bitchy and weird. Mine is a sweetheart.” I carefully set Rocket down and watch Ted to make sure she doesn’t jump him.

“And missing a leg,” he adds. “Tomayto, tomahto,” he mumbles right before his phone vibrates.

“Oh fuck. It’s Sterns. I just wanted a lazy day. Now, he’ll probably try to show up here and give me a pep talk to get me ready for tomorrow,” he continues to complain to himself. “It’s bullshit really.”

I know, deep down, Kolt is nervous about going to practice tomorrow. I think he feels like an outcast, or maybe he’s afraid of seeing something he doesn’t want to see. Like one of the other defensemen taking his spot, even though the coach has already assured him that won’t happen.

“Just answer, would you? It could be something urgent.”

“With Sterns?” he says, raising his eyebrows. “It’s probably a new dad joke he learned.”

“What’s wrong with dad jokes? How bad can they be?” I scoff at him before petting Rocket’s fur tenderly. “Just answer. Don’t be a dick.” I widen my eyes. “Hurry up! It’s going to go to voice mail.”

“Fine,” he groans and slides his finger across the screen.

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