Page 40 of Penalties and Proposals

When I make eye contact with Sarah, she’s biting her lower lip holding her laughter in. “Seriously, it’s cute. Go on, Charlie.”

“He asked if I wanted to go get ice cream one day, and I said no. Because of his reputation.”

Cocking my head to one side, I have to admit, the kid’s got me hooked. “Why was that?”

“It scared me.” She looks to her mom for support, who sweetly nods as if giving her the encouragement to go on. “Heused to be really bad. Like, he’d cause fights when we were in third grade and fourth grade. He was like, I don’t know, kinda mean to everyone.”

“But something changed?” I know. I’m pressing this poor kid like she’s my relationship guru. My hand sneaks its way back into my bag, pulling out the donut I was saving for later. Mama needs it now. “Did he change?”

She nods, cutting her eyes slyly to the side. “He did. When I said no, he started to try to be better.”

“And he was,” her mother pipes in. “At the beginning of the school year, he would wait for Charlie to get to school and hold the door open for her. He’d walk her home some days, and he even collected her homework a few times when she was out sick.”

“It was the little things,” Charlie says with a shrug, nonchalant. “He knew he messed up and then he did everything he could to show me he changed so I’d say yes.”

Why do I feel like I’m watching a teenage version of the last six weeks of my life play out? “Why did you finally say yes?”

Charlie beams. “He showed up at school wearing a jersey for my hockey team, but he’d put my last name on the back of it with duct tape. It was very sweet.”

We’re interrupted when another customer appears. Sarah and I exchange amused looks, but Charlie is back to me as fast as she can. “Anyway, you’re going to the game tonight, right?”

I swallow the giant bite of donut that I’d taken. “I can’t, I’m stuck editing photos to get them into the magazine.”

“No worry.” Sarah’s tone is laid back. “We're going tomorrow night, too. Will you be done by then?”

I hold up crossed fingers. “Here's hoping.”

“Then you should come with us.” Charlie’s tone is insistent. “Come on, Willa, please? Noah will be playing, right? It’s the last one. We’ll sit together.”

One thing for sure, Charlie’s right. Noah will be playing. He’salready been in touch, asking if I’ll be at tonight’s game, and I told him no.

My bad boy. The leopard who changed his spots. The Comeback King. The man who kissed me. He told me he’d been thinking about me for years, and here I am. Not leaping when the time comes. Playing it safe. Where’s it gotten me so far besides being alone in my room, hunched over a computer, thinking the worst?

When I think about how careful I’m trying to be, it’s laughable. Everything is changing in my world. This trip has put so many things in motion, my head has been spinning. I’m about to change my career path, why not throw a wrench into everything and take a risk as well?

When I look back at Charlie and Sarah, I’m grinning as I slowly nod my head. There are grand gestures, but taking inspiration from her story, I know one that will hit home with a certain defenseman.

And I want to see his face when it happens.

CHAPTER 17

NOAH

Coming into the final period,I’m wiped. It’s been one of the most physically and mentally challenging games so far. Refs, or zebras as we call them, who aren’t catching penalties from the Lumberjacks, are chasing us and the puck up and down the ice.

As Scotty put it when we huddled only moments ago, we’ve got a lot to make up for. I can see Coach Strickland staring at the ground, thinking, as I get back on the ice. He lifts his hands, motioning for Scotty to come over. Scotty himself pulled me aside before the game, talking to me about how I’m made for coaching, reminding me that for a few of the games, I’ve been the one talking strategy in the locker room, digging in with the guys after he’s planted the seed.

I’ve heard him say it enough the last six weeks that I have to admit, it sounds nice. Like something I can do. Something I want to do. Another missing part of the life puzzle I’m currently attempting to put together.

While they huddle, I let my eyes scan the seats, looking for the one person I really want to be sitting there. The one person I need to see. I’ve already seen that Cecilia is here; she made sure to wave earlier. Thesedays, I hate being a jerk, so I dipped my head in acknowledgement. Easier than starting any beef.

A loud cheer erupts, my eyes flicking back to where Scotty steps out onto the ice. Pumping the air with my fist, I’m stoked I get to play with my old friend again. I look back up in the stands, the area that’s reserved for our families. Everyone’s on their feet, cheering.

That’s when I seeher. Standing next to Harlow with Charlie and her parents right behind her. My heart slams into my chest, and the world around me goes silent for a brief moment. My Willa.

Wearingmyjersey.

Sparkling green eyes meet mine, and she jumps up and down, spinning around so I can see my name on her back. When she turns around to face me, I skate to the edge of the ice and, placing my hand to my mouth, I blow a kiss to her. She throws her head back and laughs, grabbing it from the air and placing it on her heart.

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