Hot tears blurred my vision. “Brett.”
He opened the door for me. “I know.”
As soon as everyone saw that we were smiling and the tension between us had dissipated, they all smiled back and said hello. A couple of them asked for his autograph, and he proceeded to sign helmets, jackets, lockers, anything anyone wanted him to sign.
When he couldn’t stay any longer. I hugged him, walked him out, and said, “I’ll see you in twenty-four hours.”
He pulled out his phone. “I’m texting you the address and key code. I have to be with the team all day and I might not be there when you land.”
I stared at his bowed head as he typed. “Do you want me to send a car for you?” He answered his own question. “Yes, I’ll send a car for you.”
How could I have ever thought he would be anything other than the decent, caring, loving man in front of me?
When he looked up at me, confusion swept over his features. “What?”
“Nothing.” I couldn’t stop the smile that grew on my face.
He shook his head and then pulled me slowly into a hug. “I told you. I told you you’d fall in love with me.” I didn’t respond. Only grinned. He kissed me again. “I really have to go.” Another kiss. “I don’t want to go.” Another kiss. I started to laugh. “Okay, I’m going.”
I stepped away from him. “You need to go.”
He started to walk away. “Text me your flight information so I can send a car.”
“I will.”
He ran back and gave me another kiss. “I love you. We’re gonna win.”
“Would you go?” I laughed and pushed at him.
One last kiss and he jogged away.
For the rest of the day, I couldn’t erase the grin on my face. I skied in a blissful fog of hope and happiness. When the last run of the day ended, the resort celebrated with a town barbeque and beer-fest.
I didn’t think anything could have ruined my euphoria, until I got home that night and my mother called.
My suitcase waited by the door, and I was finishing up the last of my dishes when my phone lit up.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Elizabeth, you have not been answering my calls.”
“I’ve been really busy. Sorry.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Amy tells me you’re finally leaving Alaska. That you took a job in Seattle. Were you going to let us know?” Judgement and disappointment practically oozed through the phone.
I sat on my couch, put my earbuds in, and set my phone on the armrest. The mountain view through my living room window helped me feel a measure of calm.
“Elizabeth!” She practically shouted. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom. I heard you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’ve been really busy here trying to transition to the new doctor and I guess I thought Amy would let you know.”
“Well, these kinds of things should come from you,” she scolded.
I didn’t respond. I was tired of reacting to her. The silence stretched. Then, almost as if she knew I wasn’t going to react, she said, “You know, Amanda is going to be in Seattle for the game tomorrow night. You should call and congratulate her on Clay making the Stanley Cup Finals. It was a good trade to Boston for them, after all.”
She droned on and on about Clay and Amanda. Of course, it would give them something to brag about at the country club. “This will be his first trophy, you know?”
As if I didn’t. “Um, yeah, Mom, I knew that.”