Page 33 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

Chapter twenty-two

Blake

I step into the restaurant, scanning the room until I spot Olivia, head buried in her phone, fingers moving across the screen like whatever she’s typing is urgent.

For a second, I hesitate. Then I exhale sharply and walk toward her.

She doesn’t notice me until I pull out the chair across from her and sit down. Her head jerks up, eyes widening just slightly before she molds her expression, and smiles.

“Hi, Blake.”

“Hello.”

Now that I’m sitting across from her, I take her in fully.

Olivia hasn’t changed much in the past few years.

She’s still effortlessly beautiful - sharp cheekbones, smooth caramel skin, and dark, expressive eyes that once held a spark of mischief but now seem…

, calmer. More subdued. Her hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail, and she’s dressed in a simple yet elegant navy blouse.

Understated. Unlike the Olivia I once knew, who loved standing out.

A waiter appears, placing menus in front of us. Olivia glances up at him and smiles. “Just coffee for me, please.”

I nod. “Same.”

The waiter disappears, leaving an odd silence between us.

Olivia shifts slightly in her seat and then exhales. “Thanks for coming.”

I give a small nod. “Yeah, well…!” I trail off, not really sure how to finish that sentence.

The waiter arrives with our coffees - black for me, caramel latte for her.

She sighs. “I wasn’t sure if you’d actually come.”

“And why would you think that?”

She just shrugs, takes a sip of her drink, and stares out the window.

She presses her lips together briefly before speaking. “The reason I asked to see you today is so I can see you one last time.” A small pause. “You know, I meant what I said yesterday. I regret leaving.”

I study her, but there’s no defensiveness on her face. No excuses. Just an even, open gaze. She’s watching me, waiting for some kind of reaction.

“Regret doesn’t change anything, Olivia.”

"I know." Her fingers tighten around her mug.

"But I needed you to know. And I’m happy the kids have you - you were always the better parent, the one best fit to take care of them.

Maybe coming back to town was my way of checking on them, of making sure I made the right choice by leaving them with you. "

I huff out a quiet breath, shaking my head. “The right choice,” I murmur. “You make it sound like you were being selfless.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she stirs her coffee absentmindedly, gaze flicking toward the window. “Maybe I was. In my own way.”

I scoff.

She looks back at me then, something like regret flashing in her eyes. “I know I wouldn’t have been a good mother to them.” She gives me a small, sad smile. “I loved you, Blake. I really did. But I don’t think I ever loved you enough to be a mother.”

I stare at her. “That doesn’t make sense. You were the one who told me you were pregnant. You insisted on keeping the baby. You…”

“I know,” she cuts in, her voice quiet. She looks down at her coffee, tracing patterns on the side of the cup.

“I did. Or at least, I thought I did. The truth is, I wanted to be with you, no matter what. When I found out you were with Whitney, I…!” She exhales, shaking her head.

“I hated it. I hated knowing that you were happy with someone else.”

My chest tightens. “What are you saying?”

“I was jealous. Like why could she have you, when I couldn’t even though we were no longer together for about a year, I guess. But I just…, I just couldn’t stomach it. And no matter what I did to regain your attention, you never looked my way.”

“And then that night at the party…,” she swallows. “It was the perfect opportunity. At first, I planned to use the video to break you two up. But then I found out I was pregnant.” Her lips press together briefly. “And honestly? For a moment, I considered getting rid of it.”

Something in my chest tightens, but I keep my face blank.

“But I didn’t,” she continues. “Because I realized pregnancy was the perfect way to have you. To keep you.”

I let out a slow breath. “So, it was never really about the kids, was it?”

She flinches but doesn’t deny it. “I thought it would make you stay. And it did.”

I exhale sharply, raking a hand through my hair. “Jesus, Olivia.”

“I know,” she says again, voice barely above a whisper. “And I’m sorry. But when the babies were born, everything changed. I couldn’t handle it. The crying, the sleepless nights, the way it felt like my life wasn’t mine anymore. Five months in, and I was drowning. And so…, I left.

I stare at her, my grip tightening around my cup. I don’t know what I expected her to say, but hearing it - hearing the raw, unfiltered truth - hits differently.

There’s a long silence before Olivia speaks again. “I didn’t come here expecting forgiveness, Blake. And I’m not asking for it. I just needed to tell you the truth.” She sighs, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “And to see the kids one last time before I leave.”

I frown. “Leave?”

She nods. “I’m starting my life elsewhere, so will have no need to come to Autumn Cove again.”

I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “So, that’s it?”

She nods. “That’s it.”

“You’re leaving them again.”

Her lips press together. “I was never really there to begin with, was I?”

I don’t answer that.

She leans forward slightly, her voice softer now. “Take care of them, Blake. They’re lucky to have you.”

“It’s the other way around and I always have and will.”

She offers a soft smile and reaches for her bag, standing up. “Good luck, Blake. With everything. Goodbye, Blake. And say, hello again to Whitney for me, and that I’m sorry.”

I watch as she walks away, back straight, steps unhurried. For a few minutes, I just sit there, staring at the empty space she leaves behind, letting everything sink in. Then, with a slow exhale, I get up and leave.

****

As soon as I step inside, the air is warm, filled with the faint scent of vanilla from one of Whitney’s candles. I find her in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book. She looks up as I walk in, immediately picking up on my mood.

She closes the book, setting it aside. “How did it go?”

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck before sinking down beside her. “She came to say goodbye. For good this time.”

Whitney watches me for a beat, then reaches for my hand. “And how do you feel about that?”

I exhale, staring down at our joined fingers. “Honestly? I don’t know.” I lift my gaze to hers and tell her everything.

Whitney lets out a low whistle, shaking her head. “Wow. That’s…, a lot to take in.” She pauses, then smirks. “But I kind of get why she went through all that trouble. You were quite the catch back then.”

I raise a brow. “Oh really? And now?”

She hums, pretending to consider. “Hm…, not so much. I think you’ve lost your touch.”

I scoff, reaching for her and pulling her flush against me. “Yet, you’re obsessed with me.”

Her eyes narrow playfully. “Obsessed? Me?” She scoffs. “Puh-lease…”

Before she can finish, I kiss her.

She stiffens for half a second before melting into me, her arms winding around my neck as she kisses me back, deep and slow.

Then…

“What the hell are you two doing?”

We break apart like guilty teenagers, turning to see Keith standing in the doorway, arms crossed, looking absolutely murderous.

Caught red-handed.