Page 76 of The Sound Of Forever

She said I can’t tell her anything, because that would be defeating the purpose as she wouldn’t know what was real or not. But she also mentioned that special words or phrases seemed to trigger her, so maybe I need to think about that? Or maybe just being around me helps. Or our kiss.

The fucking kiss. I’m not sure if that was a good or bad thing, but God, she breathed air back into my lungs. And I didn’t realize how much I was struggling.I need her.

She still hasn’t texted by the time I head to the stadium, and it pains me to leave my phone unattended. I almost ask Seth to come down and keep an eye on it for me, but that’s more trouble than it’s worth. Willow wouldn’t be expecting an immediate response; it’s not life or death.

Pushing everything from my mind, I focus on hockey, powering through our practice session, paying extra attention as we watch tapes of our opposition, mentally taking notes, making sure I’m ready for anything they might throw our way.

It’s a big day, so I’m exhausted when I get back to my locker, but when I see Willow’s text, I relax, breathing a sigh of relief. Until I read it.

Willow: Radio silence last night. Hope you’re having a nice day.

Goddammit. I feel useless. I have no idea how to help. Short of sitting her down and making her listen to every last detail of that day, I’m at a loss. But she doesn’t want that. She wants to remember, and I’m really worried that I’m not the answer, when she desperately wants me to be.

I text back asking her to call me, but by nine p.m., I still haven’t heard a peep.

Pretending I’m fine, I take a long shower before jumping into bed, and then stare at the ceiling instead of closing my eyes. I can’t let any of this get to me. I need to be one hundred percent focused on the game tomorrow. What good is fighting for Willow if I fail the other parts of my life and hate myself for it? If Willow and I are going to work, we both need to be in a good place.

This could be a history-making year. True, we’ve said that before, but we came close last season. We’ve got a taste for the finals, and now we’re out to win. We’re the strongest, fastest, most experienced team we’ll probably ever be, so it’s now or never. And I’m going to be a part of that.

I’m going to win.

So…focus!

My internal pep talk must have worked because the next thing I know it’s morning, and I actually had a decent sleep. I’m refreshed and ready to go. Ready to win the game, and then get my girl.

Though when I still haven’t heard from her, except for a short “I’m okay,” text, I’m not sure whether to be worried or pissed off. Has she changed her mind again? Decided that since I didn’t spark a memory for her, I’m not worth her time? Or is spending time with me really getting her down? Maybe I royally messed up when I kissed her.

“Alright, boys! Let’s do this,” our center, Jax, calls out before we all start stamping our feet, a ritual we do before every game. “Leave your baggage in your locker, tense those beautiful abs, and let’s go!”

Jax throws out the baggage part of the line before every game, but loves to mix up what comes next. I don’t usually pay attention because I’ve never had anything to offload. The second I pull on my game day suit, I’m in the zone, and all else fades away. But today, it feels like he’s directing his spiel to me, and I needed to hear it.

Throwing my phone into my locker, I bury it under my socks—like that will make all the difference—then push all outside forces from my mind, leaving nothing behind except hockey. A weight lifts instantly, and it’s completely freeing.

But when our first warm-up song blasts through the stadium, and the crowd roars, a strange energy comes over me, something I’ve never felt before.

Something that runs through my blood.

I skate out with my usual enthusiasm, but for the first time, I’m smiling. I’m happy. And it only takes a second on the ice for me to see why. Like I’m instantly drawn to her.

Willow’s here.

At my game.

Staring at me from the team seats, making my heart soar with the tiniest smile on her face. A smile just for me.

A warmth coats my skin, and a peace settles in my chest. For the first time ever, I’m playing for someone I love.

And fuck, is that a good feeling.

Chapter Thirty

Willow

“Areyousureit’sokay to sit here?” I ask Pippa with a subtle glance at all the die-hard fans surrounding me. All of them are dressed head to toe in gear, while I sit in one of the best seats in the stadium, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a long-sleeved tee, not even close to the team colors.

If I’m honest with myself, my nerves have nothing to do with what I’m wearing and everything to do with the man I’m here to see, and yet when Pippa asks if I want a jersey, I’m blurting, “God, yes!” so fast her eyes widen. “I mean, yes, please. If you have one.”

Pippa laughs as she gets up from her seat. “Believe it or not, I have a few. There’s a spare in my car. I’ll run and get it.”

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