Page 73 of Wake Me Up
“That’s okay, sweetie.” I pat her back. “All part of it, right?”
The boys walk over next, both holding their fists up for me to bump, and last is Freya, who suddenly seems shy, tucking her hair behind her ear as she steps closer.
“Hi, beautiful,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head as I pull her against me. “Thanks for coming.”
She angles her face upward at me and smiles. “You’re welcome,” she whispers. “While you were showering and then dealing with press, I’ve been up here, talking with the kids on what we discussed the other night in the bakery.”
“Before I took you for a ride, you mean?” I mumble, winking, and her cheeks heat up.
“Yeah, okay.” She rolls her eyes and steps back, waving toward her kids. “Who wants to tell Tripp the news?”
Cane raises his hand. “Can I?” He waits for his mom to nod before looking at his siblings. When they both give him the go-ahead, he takes a step forward. “We want to go to Massachusetts with you, Tripp.” He glances at his mom. “We all think it would be good for us. All of us.”
Like a little bitch, tears fill my eyes as I look at his mother. “Is this true?” I barely whisper the words, my voice sounding gruff with emotion.
“Yes, sir.” She smiles proudly. “We love Maine. And for the most part, Maine has been good to us.” She flattens her palm on my chest. “We think Massachusetts will be too though.”
My duffel bag drops to the ground seconds before my arms wrap around Freya. First, Aviana rushes beside us, hugging both of us, and then even the boys join in. When I stepped off the ice tonight, I felt pretty defeated because, inside, I knew I didn’t have that many more games left in me where I could play at my fullest potential. But I was prepared to push myself for as long as I could and stay in Maine.
Because of Freya and her unwavering love and support, I won’t have to do that. I’ll get to step into my next chapter with my family by my side.
And I’m so fucking thankful for that.
Five Months Later
Iwalk to the car to get the kids’ swimsuits. It’s the end of June, and it has got to be the hottest day in New England today. I have sweat accumulating in places that nobody wants sweat to accumulate in. Even on the coast in Portland, it’s sweltering. But this past week, the Sharks won the Stanley Cup, and so this is a celebration of not only that, but also for us moving to Massachusetts next week so that Tripp can start his coaching career alongside Cade Huff. I know he’s excited, but it’s been very clear that he’s also sad. For nearly a decade, this place has been his home, and these men who are all gathered today for a cookout in Logan’s backyard are his family. The family part won’t change, but it’ll certainly be a different dynamic now that he won’t be sharing the ice with them.
But what a beautiful moment it was when they won the Stanley Cup together, especially since he had talked to his teammates and coaches a few months prior and told them that it was time for him to hang up his skates, even though it killed him.
I think I’ve gotten a different version of Tripp than he’s given his fans and his team for so long. Hell, even his youth coaches, childhood friends, mom, and sister I think knew a different version of him. One who carried so much responsibility and always felt the need to do his best and be the greatest. I know without a doubt that Tripp enjoyed his time in the NHL and wouldn’t take it back for anything, but I also know him retiring and taking a coaching position and being home more with me and the kids? Well, that’s the most selfish thing he’s done, which is crazy because it isn’t selfish at all. He’s doing this for him, even though it’s going to be so good for our family.
Once I’ve grabbed the bag of suits and towels, I head back to the backyard, and that’s when Maci, Logan’s girlfriend, along with Paige,Kolt’s wife, walk toward me. In the months passed, I’ve gotten to know them, along with some of the other wives and girlfriends—Gemma, Saylor, and Poppy. And I don’t think anyone could have prepared me for how hard it would be to leave this amazing group of women now that I’ve finally found them.
“I’m getting buzzed so that I have an excuse for acting like a blubbering idiot today,” Paige says, holding up her fruity drink that’s in some bamboo-looking cup. “Because, yes, Freya, I’m going to cry like a little bitch.”
“Same.” Maci drops her head. “This sucks. We finally found a friend who completes our little group, and you’re leaving us.”
“Are you bitches crying again?” Poppy calls out, walking out onto the front lawn with Gemma on one side of her and Saylor on the other. “Because I have to tell you, my heart is black, and even I’m having a hard time keeping it together.” She sniffles, pointing her finger at all of us. “So, do not get me started, I’m warning you.”
Gemma’s eyes catch mine, and she looks nervous. “Hear me out. I am actually really fucking sad that you’re leaving, but I, like … don’t cry. So, please don’t take my cool composure as a reflection on how I feel. I’m just … weird.”
“Yeah, she’s basically an ice queen,” Saylor mutters. “Stone-cold biotch, really.” Skipping forward, she throws her arms around me. “We’re sad you’re leaving, especially when I just got back to Maine not that long ago.”
“Am not,” Gemma hisses at her lifelong best friend, but it’s all in good humor.
“All right, enough emotions. I need another drink,” Paige says, slinging her arm around my shoulders.
As we all start toward the backyard, my heart aches because I know I won’t be able to see them nearly as much after next week.
These women are some of the kindest, most supportive, and most badass ones I’ve ever known. Each and every one of them has had their own struggles, and yet they build each other up constantly.
Paige is going to be starting fertility treatments again, and even though I’m sure it’s painful for her to be around so many of her friends’ kids and babies, she does it, and she is the coolest aunt to all of them.
Maci is a best-selling author, who is famous in my eyes, and yet she is the humblest human being that I know. She cheers for everyone around her, genuinely wanting them to all find the success that she has.
Poppy is a firecracker. She’s spicy, sassy, and tough as nails, but that’s only because she’s had to be strong to survive since life hasn’t always been that kind to her. And when she trusts you? There is no one more loyal than her.
Gemma is a tough nut to crack, but it’s only because she has been through so much darkness that she doesn’t show her light to just anyone—you have to earn it. She is a true girl’s girl, which, in my opinion, is the best kind.
