Page 36 of Taking The Shot

“I hope you are happy here, Constance,” he said softly, hesitating. “I know we’ve done things in a strange, unexpected order, but it’s because I wanted to make a grand first impression on someone who knocks my socks off.”

And she laughed softly, shaking her head.

“I’m nobody.”

“Not to me. I want us to be friends,” he whispered – and her eyes met his. She could see the fear in his eyes, the worry, and a part of her wanted to wipe it all away, to show him how much she appreciated him, how much she wanted things to work out in their budding relationship, and she put her wine on the railing of the deck.

“Kiss me,” she said, taking a step toward him – only to see him take a step back and look away.

“No,” he uttered in a raw, hoarse voice, almost like he was frightened or ashamed of something – and she was shocked. They were finally together, and he was pushing her away again?

She was so confused.

“I picked you up a few things, and they are in the bathroom,” he began, drawing in his breath, but his voice warbled slightly as he continued to stare off into the darkness. “It should be enough for you to get ready for bed until you get your things unpacked. I’m sure the kids will be up early, and there is still a lot to explore – oh – and we’re meeting the team tomorrow afternoon at an event for the families, so the kids can make some friends.”

“I see,” she replied, feeling a wave of embarrassment and rejection wash over her again. “Thank you.”

“I’ll make this right for you – I promise,” he said but she had no words.

Twenty minutes later, Constance lay on her side, opposite Keith, on the large bed, listening to the silence. She could hear his uneven breathing and knew he was awake, facing away from her and about as far as a human could be on the opposite side. Neither spoke, they sure didn’t touch, no snuggling or even a kiss good night.

Nothing.

This was so far from anything she had hoped for or expected – and she had no idea what sort of mental torture was going to come next. Having her husband reject her twice on what should have been a bonding moment just seemed so… terrible. Was it her? Was there someone else, and he didn’t tell her? Was he so determined for ‘perfection’ that he wasn’t willing to try? It wasn’t like she was expecting love or some mind-blowing frolicking between them… but this?

This was certainly not what she anticipated.

Ever.

“Good night,” he whispered in the darkness – and she just closed her eyes, fighting back the tears, and praying the wine, combined with her exhaustion, could make her sleep over her racing thoughts. It was going to be a long night if it didn’t work.

“Good night.”

10

BOUCHER

Keith hadn’t expectedto get called over the second he arrived, but as soon as Coach Starnes waved him down, he knew there was no getting out of it.

“Boucher – you got a moment?”

The timing couldn’t have been worse. He had just walked up to the convention center with Constance and the kids, still trying to get his bearings in this new version of his life. He had brought them early—partly to be a good teammate, shake hands, and represent, but mostly to let the kids burn off some energy. They had been absolute hurricanes this morning.

Fifteen cabinet doors were left open, the bathroom door wide open as Kayla proudly announced she had gone potty, toys strewn from one end of the house to the other. The chaos had him questioning how parents kept their sanity. He had stepped on at least four Barbie shoes with his bare feet, and by the fourth, he was ready to wave a white flag.

And then there was Constance.

She had been tense all morning, barely speaking to him, moving around the house like a coiled spring ready to snap. He didn’t know what was eating at her, but he had the distinctfeeling that if he poked the wrong spot, he was going to get bit. Better to keep his distance, let things settle, and remind himself that this whole situation was an adjustment—for everyone.

“I’ll be right back,” he said quickly, pointing at the doors. “I’ll meet you inside.”

“Yup.”

Her clipped tone made him flinch.

Keith sighed and turned away, heading toward where Coach Starnes stood by a table in the distance. He jogged over, shaking off the tension, reminding himself that this was supposed to be a good day. He was excited to see everyone and to reconnect. Part of him wished they were at the arena so he could lace up his skates and show off a little—maybe get some ice time with Paige for the first time.

Instead, he was about to have a conversation he already knew was going to be complicated.

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