Page 133 of Puck Struck
"Yep. To that teacher he's been dating. Apparently, cutting his father out of his life freed him up to have healthy relationships."
Logan snorts. "Who would have thought?"
The ride home passes quickly. Logan tells me about his coursework, the patients he's working with, how much he loves being back in a learning environment. I tell him about the team's preparation for next season, the new rookies coming up, and the way our chemistry keeps improving.
It's every bit domestic bliss, so normal, so right, and everything I never thought I'd have.
When we pull into the driveway, Ethan is already on the front porch, jumping up and down, his eyes sparkling, wide smile rivaling the late afternoon sun.
"Cam! Uncle Lo! Guess what?"
"What, buddy?" Logan asks as we get out of the car. He rushes over to us.
"I made the travel hockey team! Coach says I'm one of the best players he's seen for my age group!"
Logan's face breaks into a huge grin. "That's incredible, E. I'm so proud of you."
"Mom already signed me up and everything. My first tournament is next month. Will you come watch?"
"Wouldn't miss it," I tell him. "We'll both be there. See, all those skating lessons and practice sessions paid off big time. I told you you’d make it."
Ethan dances around in a circle ad runs back into the house.
"It’s hard to believe he was so sick less than a year ago," Logan says in a low voice.
"Kids are resilient. Plus, he had the best possible donor. It’s your liver that made him thrive." I give him a little elbow nudge.
"We had good doctors."
"We had a hero uncle who gave up his career to save his nephew's life."
Logan stops walking and turns to me. "I didn't give up anything. I gained everything that actually matters."
"Have I mentioned today that I love you?"
"Only about a dozen times." He grins. "But feel free to say it again."
"I love you, Logan Shaw."
"I love you, too, Cam Foster."
Inside, the house is filled with the scent of Tessa’s famous lasagna. My mouth waters. The woman has a serious gift. She's also been dating Tate’s older brother, Mark, for eight months now. We introduced them at a barbecue, they hit it off, and the rest is history. He's become a regular fixture at family dinners. He's good for her. Nice guy, respectful, patient, and absolutely smitten with both her and Ethan. I thought it would be hard for Logan to handle since Tyler was his best friend, but he likes Mark, and he loves seeing Tessa happy.
"How's the future sports medicine professional?" Tessa asks when she sees Logan.
"Really happy. Really hungry.” He gives her a one-armed hug. "And proud of our hockey star here."
"I know! I already took the time off from work for his first tournament."
"We'll make it a family trip," I say. "Hotel, team dinners, the whole thing."
“It’s not that far away, Cam” Tessa says with a laugh. “They’re pee wees.”
“Still. We can give him the whole experience.”
"Really?" Ethan's eyes go wide. "That would be so cool!"
Later that evening, after dinner and homework and Ethan's bedtime routine, Logan and I head out to the back porch with beers, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink.
