Page 106 of Unmasking Love
"Holy shit, it's that easy?"
I burst out a laugh. "Yeah babe, gliding is that easy."
We spend the next hour on the ice. Eventually she moved onto little marching steps all on her own. I made sure I was always close by to help catch her if she slipped. It was amazing to watch her confidence bloom with her effort. Her shoulders were lifted, her eyes bright. And when I told her it was time to leave for dinner she was disappointed.
As I helped her untie her skates, mental images of my past and future blended together. Fathers helping kids with skates. Mothers helping with equipment bags. My own memories transformed into visions of Harper helping our own children. I have to blink back the flood of emotion and as I untie my own skates I wonder if I owe Duncan $10 for this emotional milestone.
Chapter 31
Harper
To girlfriends and beaches and hockey!
“Canyoutakeacouple of days off?” Aiden asks as I walk into his apartment after work.
“Maybe, it depends on when.”
“It’s a four day trip to Florida. We’ve got a game in Tampa and then Ft. Lauderdale and Johnny said the girls are planning to go. And then, I figured since we were down there you and I could visit your mom, too.”
I slowly navigate to my calendar app because there is a lot to unpack there. Everything he said sends alarms off in my head.
Visit my mom?
Hangout with the girls?
Take four days off work?
“Umm, when would this be?” Maybe if I focus on the logistics I can process this.
“The team flies to Tampa late on the 31st and then we play on the 1st, fly to Ft. Lauderdale the next morning. Then we have a night off and then we play the Sharks on the 3rd. The team flies back that night but I could stay and fly back the next night with you.”
I thumb through the dates. It’s a week out so I don’t have showings set up yet, there was one tentative client dinner but I could move it. Honestly things have been slower than usual lately so I only have one activeclient.
In a way, not being insanely busy has been nice. I’ve been able to focus more on Aiden. I moved in a few weeks ago and we've fallen into a comfortable routine.
When the team is home, he wakes up early and rides, I start breakfast. Then some days we shower together, other days I have to run to work. He spends his day at practice or meetings or with different charity appearances for the team and I take clients to homes, coordinate photoshoots, and try to drum up new leads. At night we reconnect, talk about our days, and fall into bed together.
The team plays three or four nights a week. I made it to one of the games and since Aiden wasn’t playing I sat up in the family suite. Danielle, Ivanna, and Caroline were there. They’re nice, welcoming, and patient as I learn the game. We’ve become friendly when we see each other but we’re not making plans outside of the games.
Do they really want to take a trip with me?
Am I ready to take a trip with them?
I look up from my phone and the hopeful look on Aiden’s face answers my questions for me. He wants me to do this. So as a supportive girlfriend, I want to do it for mymanfriend. I smile at the nickname and then deliver the good news.
“I think I can make it work.” He jumps up and wraps me in a hug.
“I’m sorry our first trip together is around the hockey schedule but we’ll have lots of fun.”
“I’m sure we will.”
Aiden kisses me on the temple and walks to the kitchen. I unpack my bag and set up my laptop on the counter. “Should I book the flights?”
“No, I’ll text Johnny. He said Caroline is going to take care of everything. Do you want to call your mom and make some plans?”
No.
No, I do not.
