Page 111 of Always Yours

I flush all the colors. “I’m so sorry. I thought I had a second. I had to take care of something.”

I tuck my phone into my bag and grab my things to head out of my office toward her. She wraps an arm around me. “You’re fine. Shea will text me all the time and distract me. Bless him, he’s bored with no hockey to coach.”

I grin. “Shea is your husband?”

Her eyes shine and sparkle at the sound of his name. “Oh yes, my life.”

My lips curve at that sentiment. “I love that. My life. How sweet.”

“Thank you. He is a good man, a loving man, drives me absolutely wild, but has stood beside me through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the great.”

“I think I saw the video on YouTube when you sang for him,” I say. And her face, God, it’s breathtaking.

“One of the best moments of my life, but that’s the thing about finding your person. You experience moments, good and bad, over and over again, and each one leaves a mark on your heart.” She squeezes my shoulder. “I have had the blessing of seeing four out of my five children find their people. Shelli found Aiden, the boy she loved since she was little. Then Boon, he loves my Posey like she invented hockey, I swear. And he just worships her. He’s my favorite, for sure,” she gushes, and I love how she is holding me. Like I’m part of the family. “Then there is Angie—or Angela, sorry. I met that girl when she was maybe five years old, and I knew she was going to do big things. I didn’t realize at the time that big thing was thoroughly loving my son with all of herself, and Lord, does Owen love her. He reminds me so much of Shea, just so protective and loving.”

My grin widens. “I haven’t gotten to meet him yet. Of course, I’ve been meeting with Angela weekly.”

“Oh, just wait. He is a walking hot mess of craziness. But gosh, seeing them together is explosive,” she says, almost like a promise. “Even if this wedding is costing us more than I care to admit to Shea.” I laugh at that since I’ve heard her complain. “Then there is my Evan. He’s my favorite of all my kids,” she whispers, and I laugh.

“Really?”

“I tell them all that, but Evan, he’s my sweet one, my one who wears his heart on his sleeve. I never thought I would approve of a girl for him. I know his struggles, I’ve held him through them, and I didn’t think someone was out there who could love him the way he needs, the way I do, but Callie… How can I describe her?” She thinks for a second, and I notice we’ve stopped short of the meeting room. I can hear all the coaches and Shelli, even Peepaw, but Elli doesn’t seem to care. “Callie is a walking angel,” she says. “She is a very talented gymnast, but her heart is something I feel God truly designed with Evan in mind. Oh, she loves my boy and loves him hard. I adore her. I love her very much.”

I’m breathless at her words, even a bit teary-eyed. “That’s beautiful, Elli.”

She sighs. “All a mom wants is for her babies to be loved and cared for. I know my kids and their partners have issues like any couples would, but at the end of the day, I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to fear they won’t be taken care of or loved.” Her words hit me like a ton of pucks. That’s how I feel with Dimitri. I feel safe, cared for. Still breathless, I hold her gaze. “But then I think that God gave me all these amazing people for my first four because he knew Quinn was going to put me in an early grave.”

“Oh no.”

“Yes,” she says with a laugh. “I already told him he’s not allowed near the stage at Owen’s wedding, and since Emery isn’t coming to that wedding, we should be good. But that’s the thing about being in love. One minute, you’re a smart, capable person, and then the next, you’re crazy with this overwhelming feeling of need for someone. Then you’re doing everything you can to be with that person, even if they’re pushing you away. Screaming in your face to leave them alone. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Emery. I have loved that baby since she was born, and I know she has feelings for my son. But not everyone is ready to be in love.”

I clear my throat. “I need to ask you something, but I know we have this meeting.”

She waves that off. “I’m the boss. The meeting starts when I walk in.”

I love how powerful she knows she is, but then my words fall short. My heart starts beating wildly in my chest, and I don’t know if I can talk to her about this. Not now, not with what this meeting is about. I think I was so engrossed in all her love stories that I thought I could talk about mine. That I could ask her if what I am feeling is actually love—or lust, instead. I clear my throat. “Never mind. I can talk to you later.”

She eyes me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, sorry. I got caught up in your story.”

She cups my chin. “Can I give you some advice?”

I swallow hard. “Please.”

“Trust your heart, Austen. No matter what happens in there, trust your heart.”

I bring my brows in as unsaid words flow between us. I don’t know if she is telling me what I think will happen is going to happen, or if I am overthinking the whole thing, but my heart seizes in my chest. Fear creeps down my spine, and my stomach feels as if I’m free-falling at speeds unknown.

Without another word, Elli squeezes my chin and then heads in before me. “Sorry I’m late.”

When I enter the meeting room, all the coaches are here, along with Shelli and Peepaw. Everyone welcomes me, but I’m unable to be genuine when I greet them. I sit down at the end of the table, away from my peepaw since he’s causing me such anxiety and I really don’t want to be near him. Shelli sits beside me, Elli beside her, and then Posey, River, and the assistant coach, Myers. Peepaw sits at the very end—for what reason, I don’t know. He doesn’t even need to be here.

I have a really bad feeling.

I turn on my tablet and decide I can’t let Peepaw’s presence bother me. I get to work, bringing up each tab for each player that is talked about. I’m surprised, though, when Shelli brings up cutting Reed. I felt it was a good idea, but I didn’t think she’d go with it.

“Maybe instead of trading him, we send him down and make sure he gets help?” Elli suggests, but Posey makes a face.

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