Page 72 of Pucking Fate

“I just don’t know, Elle. What if I take the leap and we end up hurting Finley, too?” I whisper. “Or seeing him after he moves on is too hard? I can’t drag our son through a nasty breakup.”

Elle studies me for a moment. “You know, I used to feel the same way about Preston.”

That catches me off guard. “Preston? Really?”

She nods, her expression softening. “Yeah. When we first got together, I was so sure he would never make room for me in his life. I mean, you know what he’s like. He’s this big, tough guy who loves his family more than anything. Then, I didn’t think we had a future because of the distance between us. But it all worked out.” Elle smiles, shaking her head. “Now, I can’t imagine my life without him. He changed our complicated circumstances. He uprooted his life for me, Maya. And while Christian may not be able to up and leave this city right now, Ithink he would do it for you if he could. Are you willing to do the same for him?”

I look down at my hands, her words sinking in. I’ve seen Preston and Elle together, how solid they are, how they balance each other out—her sunshine to soften his grumpiness. They weren’t perfect, there were distance and obstacles between them, but they made it work. And maybe… maybe Christian and I could, too.

Glancing over at the sitting area where Audrey and Finley are watching some penguins play, I say, “If we move, I want it to be my decision for once. And what’s best for Finley. I just wish I knew exactly what the future holds.”

“I get it,” Elle says, her tone gentle. “But here’s the thing—you’re never going to know unless you give it a chance. You don’t have to jump in with both feet, but maybe… maybe you could take a step.”

“A step?” I ask, glancing up at her.

Elle shrugs. “Yeah. Like… visit him while you’re here or when he’s on the road for a preseason game. See how he is after you two are forced to be apart. Maybe that’ll give you some clarity.”

I laugh lightly. “What, you’re encouraging me to spy on him?”

She grins. “I’m just saying, sometimes seeing someone in their natural element gives you a better idea of who they really are. Plus, it’s a good excuse for you to go on a little road trip with me.”

I roll my eyes, but the idea sticks with me. Visiting Christian on the road wouldn’t be the worst idea. Maybe it would help me figure out if he really has changed or if I’m just setting myself up for more heartbreak.

Elle returns to my hair again, working her magic on the annoying little flyaways. But I needed more than a trim from her. I needed all the heart-to-heart she could muster.

After we’re done, Finley happily shows off the cookie Audrey gave him as a reward for being so “good” which is fine with me, since he deserves it for being such a trooper on the long drive.

Still thinking about Elle’s advice, I ask her, “Do you know what time training usually ends?”

Elle gives me a knowing look and grins. “Usually around six.”

“Six.”

“Uh-huh. And I’m closing up here at four today, you know, if you were to need a babysitter.”

“Are you sure?” I ask with a wince, already imposing on her for dropping by.

“Absolutely! I’ll give you a key to go to Preston’s apartment so you two can get settled in, then I’ll be there a little after four.”

“You really are the best, Elle. I am so freaking glad your breakup with my ex led you to my grumpy brother.”

“Same, girl,” she replies with a wink.

31

Christian

After spending the summer with Finley and Maya, I can’t shake the weight sitting on my chest during our first week of practice. Being back in Greensboro without them feels like someone’s ripped the ground out from under me. I’m off-balance. And I hate it.

The last thing I wanted to do was walk away from Finley and Maya, but since she won’t budge on moving, and I have an obligation to the Bobcats, I didn’t have any other choice.

Still, not being able to spend the day playing with my son or in bed with the woman I love feels like I’m getting daily beatdowns while serving a prison sentence. The only thing that helps is the phone calls at night. Finley gets on the video call first, then while he’s getting his bath, I talk to Maya. She even lets me stay on the phone while she reads a story and tucks him into bed so I can say goodnight.

Just when everything was going so well over the summer, Maya was beginning to trust me, we’re right back to where we started with her doubting everything again.

Training today was the last thing on my mind. I go through the motions, trying to focus on drills and strategies, but my head is still in Bethesda. My teammates notice, too. They threw me a few odd glances when I dropped the barbell on my throat and nearly killed myself during weight training, but no one says anything directly. I guess they can tell I’m not up for conversation. They probably assume I’m in a shit mood because Preston has joined the team. Nobody would ever believe it’s his sister that has me tripping over my own two feet.

“Yo, Christian! You with us, man?” Luke asks from the treadmill next to mine when I stumble. He’s the only one who knows the truth.

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