Page 115 of Perfect Playbook

“To stay.”

Nino must have read the note. And now Santi knows its contents as well. I feel him stiffen behind me.

“Please ask him to stay, Mom. You’re really happy when he’s around. If he stays you’ll be even more happy.”

My heart whimpers. Kids notice nothing when you want them to and everything when you don’t.

Asking Logan to stay in college wasn’t an option. I would have never stopped him from achieving his dreams. I couldn’t leave. That note… it changes everything. Logan isn’t at the beginning of his career. I’m sure he doesn’t want to think he’s at the end either, but that’s the only thing that note suggests. Retirement. But do I really want to be the reason Logan ends his career just because I struggle to keep my demons at bay and to trust? Not at all. No fucking chance.

It’s time for me to step up. For both of us.

Tonight, I’m going to tell Logan something else. Something more meaningful. That I believe we can make it. That I’ll be here no matter how long he’s gone. But I can’t tell him if I can’t get in that damn building and then he’s gone for days again on the road. This can’t wait. I’m desperate, not only because he deserves to hear how much I adore him, but also…

Ashton.

I can’t be the reason Logan doesn’t play a single moment of this season to his best ability. This is Ashton and Logan’s last chance at a Stanley Cup. I need to be the reason Logan is lifted, not knocked down. One game could make all the difference at the end.

So damn it. I need in that building.

I look over at the lit-up arena. And then, I have an idea. “Come on.”

I drag Santi by the arm, Nino by the hand.

We sweep around the side of the building to the players’ entrance. With a game on, all the security is out front, but now, we face a locked door. Santi and I gaze at each other, not sure what to do.

I pull my brother close so I can whisper in his ear, “Can you still pick a lock?”

His eyes dart down to Nino who he really doesn’t want to know he can do it—heck, I don’t want Nino to know his uncle used to be a bad boy either—but Nino isn’t paying attention to us.

“Yes,” he says through gritted teeth. He flicks another glance at the door and whispers, “But there’s no lock.”

What?“There’s no…”

By the time I really settle my gaze on the high-tech, no-key door, Nino is on his tiptoes making the backlit green keypad sing.

“I remember the code. From when we came to meet the coach.”

The door releases with a click, and I bend down to give Nino a mega kiss. “You really are my hero,mijo.”

Once in, all I can do is hope like hell Marlon is still at the door to the locker rooms. He is. Time is ticking, so we walk quickly down the hallway, so fast Nino struggles to keep up and Santi sweeps him up into his arms.

We get to the tall, imposing block of muscle with an earpiece outside the locker room doors, and only now do I realize I’m asking a huge favor. He already said nobody is allowed on the other side of the doors when Logan wanted me in.

“Hi. Marlon. I’m not sure if you remember me…”

He gives me a look as though he couldn’t forget.Gosh. I wonder if he heard us…

“Please. I need to see Logan. It’s an emergency.” I try tolook distraught, but Marlon’s face is full of dubious deep lines.

His response is polite. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hunter.”

My God do I love the sound of that.

“I can’t let you on the other side of the doors.”

“Yes. I know. But could you maybe see if Logan could come out?”

His expression tells me it’s not his first rodeo. His eyebrows lift to the ceiling, eyes close, and he shakes his head.

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