I explained with the shortest version possible. “We all need to have exit strategies. It’s one of the things I talk to the players about separately. Hockey won’t last for our entire lives. All too soon we’ll have to venture out and make livings for ourselves in the real world. Leaving hockey will be traumatic enough even without not having any idea what we want to do with the rest of our lives.”
“Most everyone either knows or is on the path to knowing. But with Niki, I really have no clue, and it bothers the crap out of me.”
“That’s an unbelievably thoughtful thing to do. However, it’s not your job.”
“Leaving a sport you’ve dedicated your whole life to can lead to all kinds of things, Beau. Some athletes even sink into a depression afterward. It can be devastating. At least if I help my girls with an exit strategy, that lifts one burden off their shoulders when the time comes.”
“Okay, so next thing was—someone made fun of your accent? People are dicks. I don’t have to tell you that. As for Thanksgiving, why the hell don’t you go back? Who cares if it’s a short trip? You obviously want to go.”
“For one thing? Money. I don’t want to spend what little cash I do have on a trip where I’ll be spending most of my time on a plane.”
“I can buy you a ticket, Geneviève,” he whispered into my ear, creating a fantastic shiver to travel down my body.
“Don’t be stupid. You’re not buying me a ticket. My mom offered to buy one for me. I don’t want her to spend her money on me. Especially for such a short trip.”
“All right, I disagree with you but next up is your sports bra died? Can’t you just get another one?”
“Ha, I wish it were that simple. Men have it so easy. I have a complex system of two bras that I wear when I play. If one of those dies, we have a problem. Jillian is doing her best to fix it. Even she’s not sure it can be salvaged.”
He cleared his throat before he spoke again, “As for the vet? Admit you have a crush on him.”
“I admit I don’t have a crush on him. He’s sweet and handsome and great with the puppies. That’s it.”
“Bullshit.”
“He’s dreamy, yes. But not my type.”
“Whatever, G.”
We were silent for a long time after that. Beau’s arms felt so nice around me. His body behind me felt like it was lulling me to sleep. I really was exhausted, and his steady, rhythmic breathing and beat of his heart was hypnotizing.
Before the end of the movie, I conked right out.
The next thing I knew, I was in my bed. I could feel Beau’s hands as he set me down. When he went to slide them off me, I grabbed them tight. “Stay? For a minute?” I asked, unwilling to feel the loss of his body just yet.
He crawled in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Geneviève?” he asked in such a quiet voice I could barely hear.
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry you missed the first snowfall. It’s always the best.”
I moved back and settled into him before I faded away back into dreamland.