Page 77 of Rematch
She pondered that. “So you’re really thinking of quitting?”
“It’s considered retiring, and…” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m one of the older guys on the team, so I’ve seen a lot of turnover, watched a lot of good friends walk away from the sport when their time was up. At thirty-five, I’m hitting the upper range, and my body is letting me know that. Most of my teammates are in their early to mid-twenties.”
“What do you plan to do after hockey?” she asked.
“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?”
She tilted her head. “You’ve really never given it any thought?”
“Of course I have,” he reassured her. “I just haven’t come up with anything I think I’d love as much as hockey. And,” he smirked, “I wouldn’t ever have to work again if I didn’t want to. While I’ve treated myself to a nice car, an awesome waterfront condo, and a sweet boat?—”
“As well as redecorating this place as a baby mecca,” she interjected.
Preston chuckled, because he had gone overboard on the baby furniture. “Regardless of all that, I’ve socked away a hell of a lot of money and made some very profitable investments.”
Chelsea narrowed her eyes. “Must be nice. The only money I have in the bank came from Aunt Agnes, and I’d give back every single penny of it just to have her still alive and well.”
Preston gave her a comforting squeeze, aware of how much she missed Ethan’s beloved aunt. “I know you would. I’m sorry I never got to meet her.”
Chelsea rested her head on his shoulder again, and they sat together, content in the silence.
Preston considered all the things he wasn’t saying aloud to her, things he knew it was too soon to be thinking, even though they’d taken root and weren’t letting go. Like Chelsea, he wasn’t comfortable leaving Lennon in the care of strangers either. That, paired with the thought that if he hung up his skates at the end of this season, there would be no off-season conditioning, practices, focused training. He would be free. Free to be…
He paused, because he’d never let himself think the words. Now, however, after rocking his son to sleep, they were flashing in his head like a goddamn neon sign.
Stay-at-home dad.
He’d considered countless second careers to follow hockey, and none of them had appealed to him even a fifth as much as the idea of raising his son.
But, as always, he couldn’t say that aloud because time—fucking time—still wasn’t on his side. He had to keep reminding himself that it hadn’t even been three weeks since he’d found Lennon and Chelsea. Mainly because those three weeks had been crammed full of what felt like a lifetime of joy.
So, unfortunately, any desires he might feel in regard to his future needed to be put on the back burner until that trust Chelsea had gifted him a year ago was reestablished and strengthened enough to include Lennon and her heart.
“Want to watch a movie?” he asked after a few minutes.
She nodded.
Reaching for the remote, he turned on the television, scrolling until he found exactly what he was looking for. “Serendipity?”
She rolled her eyes, on to his game. “You don’t play fair.”
“Told you the first night we met. I play to win.”
Chelsea laughed. “Guess I can’t say you didn’t warn me. Start the damn movie.”
He pushed play, loving the way she snuggled even closer, his shoulder her pillow. As they watched, they discussed their favorite scenes, even spoke some of the lines aloud in unison with the actors. Chelsea seemed surprised by the fact he knew the movie so well, despite him saying so. No doubt she’d thought he was just saying things to woo her. He’d noticed since learning he played hockey professionally, she seemed to take him at his word less than she had the night at the party.
He was determined to get them back to that same level of trust.
When the movie ended, Preston turned the TV off, twisting to face her. “You were my most fortunate accident.”
“Serendipity,” she whispered.
He nodded, wanting her now more than ever. “Joy?”
“Yeah?”
“Want to bend that rule some more?”
