Page 116 of In My Hockey Era
I smirk, lifting my glass.“To balance.”
And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I finally have it.
43
HOME IS WHERE THE PUCK IS
Bennett
Istand outside our condo, leash in one hand, dog carrier in the other, staring at the door like I’m about to walk into a battle.
I thought winning Lucy back, or maybe getting Chase to move out, and her to move in was my biggest challenge.Turns out, it might bethis.
The tiny, golden furball at my feet looks up at me with big, ridiculous eyes, his little tail wagging like I just told him he’s getting an unlimited supply of treats for life.
Which, let’s be honest, he probably is.
“You better not make me regret this,” I mutter, crouching to scratch behind his ears.Waffles lets out a happy yip and immediately flops onto his back, tongue lolling out.
I take a deep breath, adjust the leash, and push open the door.
“Luce?”I call out, stepping inside.“You home?”
Before I can even set the carrier down, Lucy’s voice floats in from the kitchen.“Yeah!I just got back—wait, what isthat?”
I don’t even get a chance to answer before she appears in the doorway, still in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, hair piled up in a messy bun.And the second she spots Waffles?
Shegasps—one of those deep, dramatic gasps that immediately tell me I’ve lost every ounce of her attention.
“Are you kidding me right now?”She drops the spatula she was holding and rushes toward us, eyes wide, hands covering her mouth.“Bennett.No.Youdid not.”
I rub the back of my neck, feeling suddenly self-conscious.“Uh, yeah, I—”
I don’t even get the sentence out before she’s throwing herself to the floor, scooping Waffles up in her arms like he’s some long-lost treasure she’s been searching for her whole life.
“Oh, mybaby,” she coos, peppering his tiny head with kisses.“Look at you!Ben, look at this face!He’s so cute I might actually die.”
Waffles, the traitorous little shit, immediately starts licking her chin like he’s in love.
I cross my arms.“Yeah, okay, Iseehim.”
She ignores me completely, holding him up to look into his big, brown eyes.“Did you come home tome, little man?Did you?!”
I scowl.“Heliterallycame home tome, Lucy.”
She still doesn’t acknowledge me.
Max trots over, and sniffs Waffles curiously.The puppy wriggles in Lucy’s arms and lets out a high-pitched bark, clearlythrilledabout his new big brother.Max, being the actual angel that he is, just gives him one more sniff before wandering back to his bed like,not my problem.
I sigh.“Well, Iwasgonna make a big speech about how I wanted to surprise you, but clearly, you’re too busy falling in love to appreciate my grand gesture.”
Shefinallylooks up at me, still clutching Waffles to her chest like he’s her favorite now.“Are you kidding me right now?”She’s full-onbeaming.“Bennett, youadoptedhim.You got Waffles.For us.”
Yeah.Us.
I try to stay grumpy about the fact that I’ve been completely overshadowed by a ten-pound mutt, but then she gets to her feet, eyes still shining, and reaches for me.
Andsuddenly, she’s kissing me.
