Page 80 of Pucking Fate

“Hi, Maya. It’s Justine Williams from Abbotswood Retirement Community. Vivian wanted me to apologize for not getting back to you sooner. She’s had to work the night shift this week, so she asked me to call you. We would love to officially offer you the activity director position. My nephew has been hounding me to convince her to hire you, but even if Spencer hadn’t recommended you, I think Viv still would’ve picked you. Anyway, if you’re still interested, please give us a call to schedule a time to come in next week to go over all the details. Thanks, and have a great weekend!”

I got the job.

My first job ever. My first attempt at being independent.

I close my eyes, leaning against a nearby tree, the bark rough against my back. My mind is a mess of emotions, guilt swirling in my chest.

Even though I’m excited, no, elated by this opportunity, a part of me wants to refuse the position to move to North Carolina.

But depending on Preston to pay my way for nearly six years is too long.

Christian admitted that finding out he was a father helped him grow up.

Well, it’s time for me to do the same, to become independent for the first time in my life.

“Are you okay?” Christian’s voice causes my eyes to pop open.

“Finley!” I exclaim, but I see him playing keep away with Preston and Elle in the middle of the fountain.

“I know better than to leave him unattended this close to roads,” Christian mutters.

“Sorry. I just…I got lost in my own head for a minute.”

There’s a long pause before he finally says, “So? Did you get the job?”

I nod. “Yes.”

He flashes me a sad smile. “Congratulations, baby.” A second later, his strong arms are around me, pulling me to him in a tight hug.

My stupid eyes water with regret, but I blink the tears away and swallow past the burning in my throat. This is what I wanted. It’s fate.

“Thank you,” I reply.

When Christian pulls back, he keeps his palms on my waist and stares down at me. “We’re going to make this work, okay? Not just for Finley, but for us. I’ll sign up for a reality show andhave cameras follow me around twenty-four hours a day, if that’s what you need to trust me.”

I laugh at his offer. “Thanks, but that would be so wrong. I just need time.”

“I just need you,” he says, pressing a kiss to my lips, then resting his forehead against mine. “I should’ve told you that years ago, but I think I was scared.”

“You were scared, huh?” I ask.

“Scared of loving you, needing you. I…I lost the only other woman I ever loved.”

A stab of jealousy nearly brings me to my knees. “Who…” I start to ask, unsure if I want to know her name.

“My mom,” he says softly.

“Your mom?” I ask sadly.

“She was in a bad car accident when I was thirteen. I sat by her bed every day for weeks while she was in a coma, hoping she would get better before my dad…” Christian clears his throat. “She was an organ donor, so he eventually made the call to save people who had a real chance of making it.”

“I’m so sorry,” I tell him as I cup the side of his face. “I had no idea. Preston never mentioned it…”

“Preston doesn’t know. Nobody does. Hockey was my escape, my distraction for the next several years. It still is, I guess. But I’ve never been fast enough to out skate the memories completely.”

“You never stop missing her, do you?” I ask. While it’s not the same thing, my mother is still alive, and I’m just dead to her.

He shakes his head. “She was an amazing mom like you. She came to every single one of my games and supported my dream of going pro. She never had any doubt, even when my father thought I should give hockey up because I was failing in school...”

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