Page 160 of Rewind It Back

“I think because for six years, I watched your life move into this new, impressive phase. You have all these new people around. I mean, you’re literally famous now.”

“Gross.”

“But you are, and sometimes I get nervous that because I’m part of your old life, I won’t fit into the new.”

He’s quiet for a long moment before he says, “But you’re not just a part of my life. You’re the center of it. So, if something isn’t fitting around us, that piece needs to change, not you.” He runs his thumb over my knuckle. “And yes, I’m in a different phase of my career than the last time we were together, but you’ve been with me since the beginning of all of this. So, if anyone should feel out of place, it certainly isn’t you.”

I squeeze his hand in mine.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve wished you were there, waiting for me after these games the way you used to. But I also don’t want you to feel uncomfortable about it.”

That hits me right in the heart, thinking of how many times he came out of the locker room post-game to find no one there for him.

I shake my head. “I’ll be there.”

Rio parks in the private lot behind the arena. He opens my door for me and immediately slips his fingers through mine as he leads me to the private entrance.

An older man in a black blazer opens the door for us as we approach. “Rio!” His face lights up. “Good to see you, man. How are we feeling?”

“Great. Excited to play tonight.” Rio puts his free hand in his. “Bruce, this is my girlfriend, Hallie. Hallie, this is Bruce. He’s worked here since the United Center was built and hasn’t missed a single game as long as I’ve been playing here.”

“That’s right,” Bruce says proudly.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I offer him a smile.

“You too. Rio has never brought someone with him to a game other than his mom when she’s in town, so I take it we’ll be seeing you again?”

“You’ll be seeing her a lot,” Rio adds for me.

“I like that.” Bruce smacks him on the shoulder. “Good luck tonight.”

We say our goodbyes before taking off down a hallway that’s lined with photos of previous Chicago teams. It only adds to the surreal nature of it all. To see him in his fitted suit, headed to the locker room, and finding him in six of these previous team photos along the wall.

He’s really doing what he always dreamed of.

“So,” I begin. “Girlfriend, huh?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think we should take a couple more decades to get to know each other before I start calling you that?”

“I just didn’t know I was, is all.”

“I assumed this was another one of our unspoken things.” He drapes an arm over my shoulders as we continue walking. “But in case it needs to be said out loud... Yes, Hallie Hart, you are my girlfriend. Though, you should know, there’s a good chance I’ll be changing both that title and that last name one day.”

He pops a quick kiss on my hair as we continue walking.

It feels nice to hear him say it, but we both know what we’re doing here. There’s so much history between us that getting into a relationship only a few weeks ago does not make our relationship new. It feels like we’re restarting right where we left off six years ago when we had our entire future planned with one another in mind.

“Rio,” a man calls out, walking towards us. He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place him.

“Hey, Will. I didn’t know you were coming tonight. I would’ve gotten you a ticket.”

Will and Rio put their hands in each other’s.

“I’m not sure if you remember each other, but Will, this is my girlfriend, Hallie. Hallie, this is my agent, Will. He started representing me towards the end of my second year at Michigan.”

That’show I know him. He was there the night Rio got drafted.

I watch as Will puts all the pieces together before a genuine smile lifts on his lips. “Of course I remember you.” He nods as if he were approving of the whole situation. “It’s really good to see you again.”

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