Page 156 of Rewind It Back

I run my fingers down her bare back, listening to this year’s playlist she put together. Now that Hallie is in college for interior design and has a more flexible schedule, she’s been able to come out to Michigan to see me more often, and since I couldn’t get to her for her birthday, she hopped on a plane to come to me.

Thank God.

Unlike last year when she was finishing high school, now we don’t go more than a month without seeing each other. Our families both know about our relationship, though they apparently knew before we ever confirmed it. They’re fully on board. My mom might be the most ecstatic of all, but that’s not all that surprising. She has adored Hallie since the moment the Harts moved in next door.

And while yes, Luke spent the entire summer after finding out furious with both of us, it’s now been almost ten months since he learned about his sister and me, and he’s slowly starting to come around to the idea.

“What’s this song from?” I ask as the next one begins to play through the boombox speakers.

“You don’t remember? This is the song you played right before our first time.”

“I remember. I just like to hear you tell me about each one. And I’m glad this song made the cut. I’ll happily rewind it back and replay that night over and over again.”

Chuckling, she settles onto me, resting her head on my chest, and wrapping her arm around my middle.

We lie there for a long while, holding one another and listening to music, before I finally gain the courage to ask what I’ve been wanting to ask.

“Hal?”

“Hmm?”

“If I do get picked up by a team, will you go with me?”

She lifts her head, whipping her attention in my direction to check if I’m being serious.

“I know it’d mean you’d have to transfer schools next year, but I honestly can’t see myself playing in the league without you by my side. You’ve been there for every part of this. It’s only right that you’re with me for the next.”

Her face softens with a sweet smile.

“I want to start our lives now,” I continue. “I want to buy us a house. One that’s all ours. I want you to be at every one of my home games. And though I’m glad I get to see you once a month now, I spend all the days in between waiting for these ones. I don’t want to be away from you anymore.”

“And if I’m not ready to go with you now?”

“Then I’ll still buy you a house and it’ll be waiting for you.” I run my fingers through her hair. “And so will I.”

“I’m kidding.” She leans up, pressing her lips to mine. “Of course I’ll go with you. I’d go anywhere with you.”

“Yeah?”

“We both know it’s going to be us in the end. What’s the point in wasting time?”

“That’s exactly how I feel.”

I watch the excitement grow in her expression. “What if you get picked up by Boston? How amazing would that be to play for your dream team right away?”

“I can’t even let myself think about that. Obviously playing in the league is the goal, but playing for my hometown?”

“It’ll happen one day,” she states. “I know it will.”

I bask in her confidence in me. The same confidence she gave me that night on the roof when I was about to quit playing hockey for good. The same she gave me when I was too nervous to kiss her for the first time. The same she’s had in us and our relationship since the day it began.

“So,” she begins excitedly. “What kind of house are you going to buy us?”

I chuckle at the change of subject. “What kind of house do you want?”

“A big one. With four or five bedrooms that we can fill with kids one day.”

I can’t wait for that. I can’t wait to marry her either.

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