Page 14 of Soulmates and Slapshots (Love in Maple Falls #6)

FIONA

W atching the Ice Breakers’ defeat tonight hit me harder than I ever expected.

I know losing is part of the game, but that didn’t make it any easier.

It was gut-wrenching to witness, especially knowing how hard the team has been working.

The final seconds ticked down like a slow, cruel countdown, and when the buzzer echoed through the arena, the entire place fell into a stunned silence.

You could almost feel the heartbreak in the air.

I didn’t stay long after the game ended. As much as I wanted to be there for Weston, I wasn’t sure if my presence would help or just make things worse. What do you even say in those moments? You played hard ? Next time will be different ?

It all feels so fake after a loss—especially one that was so close. The score had been tied until the last few seconds. It was one of those losses that leaves you replaying every moment and every shot.

The good news is I’m seeing Weston tonight—off the ice and away from the pressure of the game. We’re having dinner together, and it’s not a fake date I dragged him into during a moment of panic.

I didn’t come to Maple Falls looking for any kind of romance. I needed space and a break from the chaos of my old life. But there’s something about Weston that draws me in. He’s sincere and down-to-earth, so different from Joshua.

Thankfully, Joshua’s calls and texts have slowed, though he hasn’t completely given up. You’d think he’d get the message given my lack of response. And Hayley’s stopped bringing him up. I think she knows better after surprising me with the face-to-face call.

I take one last look in the mirror, twisting a few strands of hair around my finger. I’m wearing a soft white cable-knit sweater and wide-leg jeans. My outfit is comfortable and not too over the top. I’m in Maple Falls, not Manhattan.

My aunt is working at the lodge tonight, but she’s been texting me nonstop since I told her about my dinner with Weston. She didn’t say I told you so , but her smug little “Oohhh, sounds like fun” basically screamed it.

I’m fastening a gold bracelet on my wrist when I hear a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I call out, already guessing who it is.

Weston pops his head inside, a worried look on his face. “Whoa. Don’t you think you should check before letting anyone in here? What if it wasn’t me?”

I roll my eyes, smiling. “I figured it was you. And anyway, this is Maple Falls—I doubt they have a big problem with crime.”

I don’t know this for sure, but I haven’t even heard a car horn since I arrived.

He laughs. “Fair point. I think most people are harmless, unless you say something bad about the Ice Breakers. ”

I chuckle. “So true. My aunt Dee would probably throw a punch if someone insulted the team.”

“Yeah. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side,” he agrees. “Her superfan energy is fierce.”

“Oh yeah—and she’s loyal to her core. When I needed a place to escape to, she didn’t hesitate to invite me here.”

“Loyalty like that is rare,” Weston says softly. “It means everything, especially in this world.”

I nod, meeting his eyes. “It really does.”

He sighs. “Ready to go?

“Yep.” I grab my coat and follow him out the door.

The air is cool, the sky streaked with the fading sunlight. Evenings in Maple Falls are so dreamy.

“So,” Weston says as we start walking. “I was trying to figure out where to go. The options are a bit limited.”

“Yes, that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about in Manhattan,” I reply. “But I’m fine with anything. We could even go back to Shirley May’s Diner.”

“It was really good,” he grins. “But I thought maybe we could try the Glass Olive. It’s Italian food, and I like the name.”

I’m trying not to stare at his face, but his dimples make me go weak. Gah. I shouldn’t be having all these feelings already.

“That sounds great. Let’s go.”

And just like that, we head toward Maple Falls’ most upscale restaurant on a real date. Something I didn’t think I would be doing during my visit.

Ah, I absolutely adore the Glass Olive. It reminds me of a quaint little place you’d find on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.

It’s a dimly lit, small space making it the perfect setting for an intimate dinner.

The air is filled with a blend of garlic and oregano making my mouth water as soon as we walk inside.

The hostess leads us to a corner table and hands us menus and a wine list. Within seconds our server appears with a glass carafe of water and a basket of bread.

We order our drinks and the bruschetta appetizer.

Weston holds the breadbasket up to me, and I unwrap the hot, fresh Italian bread.

And the best part is the butter is soft and perfect.

“I’m already impressed,” I exclaim.

“Because of the butter?” he adds knowingly.

“Yes,” I exclaim.

He laughs before tearing off a piece of bread.

“So how’s it going?” I ask. I don’t mention the loss against the Barracudas, but that’s what I’m referring to.

He lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s fine. Practice wasn’t fun today.”

I cringe. “I can imagine. What happens after a loss? Does the coach yell? Do you have to do extra pushups?”

I’m more curious about the behind-the-scenes stuff than I expected.

“No extra pushups, but Coach has plenty to say. We review the game and discuss ways we can improve. But we also go over the things we did well so it’s not all negative. It’s a long process, but it’s part of the job.”

I nod. “It seems like a lot of pressure with all these people counting on you.”

“It can be—especially when you’re trying to prove yourself with a new team. We all want to make a big play and leave our mark,” he says. “Especially me. ”

I give him a curious look. “I’m sure you’ve already done that. You play professional hockey.”

He shrugs. “I’m trying. It’s very important to me to prove myself as an asset to the team. I feel like it’s something I’ve been trying to achieve most of my career. Being transferred to the Ice Breakers is a fresh opportunity for me.”

I appreciate how honest Weston is. In my last relationship, I always felt like I was forcing Joshua to talk to me about things. It took a while, but even then, there was always some distance, like an invisible wall that he never completely let down.

“Are you worried about the team being in jeopardy? Who knows what could happen if that MacDonald guy is able to claim all the land. What if he wants to tear down the arena?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know. Hopefully he’s a hockey fan.”

“Good point.”

Our server arrives and tells us about the specials. Everything sounds fantastic, but I finally decide on the chicken Alfredo, and Weston chooses the filet.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Weston says after the server leaves. “If you let me try the chicken, I’ll share my filet.”

“Hmm…twist my arm,” I exclaim.

Our conversation continues without missing a beat. He tells me about his family. His parents are living the retired life in South Florida, and they are very supportive of his career, traveling to see his games as much as possible.

“My parents are in Massachusetts,” I tell him. “My mom still does hair, and my dad has his own accounting firm.”

“Are you close to them?” he asks.

“Yes. I’ve just always been very independent. I wanted to move to New York City, so I did. ”

He nods slowly. “You’re probably missing all the action of the city by now.”

I purse my lips. “Honestly, I’m not.”

“Really?” he asks.

“I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have something to do or somewhere to be. It’s been nice.”

He’s quiet for a few seconds. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Our eyes lock once again, causing an electric current to shoot through me.

I hold up my glass. “To a fresh start.”

“And to new beginnings,” he adds.

There is something about the way this man looks at me. This feeling is something I haven’t felt in a very long time and it’s both terrifying and exciting. Maybe living in the moment is okay for once, because soon I’ll be leaving Maple Falls, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.

“Okay, your friend was right. This might be the best pumpkin bread I’ve ever had,” I say as we leave Maple Grounds Bakery. “You need to call him and thank him.”

“Nah,” he says. “Cooper isn’t big on conversation.”

“So, you said he played for the Ice Breakers when they were a charity team?”

“Yes,” he says. “He came to Maple Falls and then fell for his new publicist.”

“Oh, wow. ”

“And if you knew him, you’d never believe it. He’s quiet and serious, and he hates the spotlight.”

“Um, he’s probably in the wrong line of work then.”

Weston grins. “You’d think—but he was meant to be on the ice. And speaking of loyalty, he’s always said he will never leave the Tennessee Wolves. He’ll quit playing before that happens.”

“Do you miss the team?”

He nods. “Yes, but I like the new team and my teammates. I think we’re connecting well—we’ve even started doing extra workouts at my teammate Cade’s house.”

“That’s good. I’m sure it’s very important for you all to create those bonds.”

We continue chatting as we walk down Main Street, the store windows and streetlamps illuminating our path.

“It’s starting to feel like that,” he tells me. “We’re getting ready to head out on the road for the first time. It’ll be interesting to see how we play together away from our home arena.”

Hearing this causes a lump to form in my throat. I hadn’t even thought about the Ice Breakers going on the road.

“Oh. How many games are away?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Three games, plus a few travel days.”

Ugh. It’ll be so strange here without him.

“Have you decided when you’re going home?” he asks.

Home? I don’t even know where that is anymore.

“No, but I need to decide soon.”

Weston doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. This might be the longest stretch where neither of us has said a word.

“Fiona,” he says, his pace slowing.

“Yes?” I say, turning toward him .

He exhales slowly. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Of course,” I reply.

“Can you wait until I get back from our road trip before you leave?”

Yes!

I can’t help but notice that we’ve inched closer to each other.

“Okay,” I whisper.

Without another word, Weston cradles my face in his hands and brings his lips to mine.

A jolt shoots through me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

I melt into the kiss as his hands slide from my face to my waist. Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a first kiss, more like something familiar.

The connection between us is beyond words.

Is this just a vacation fling? Or is there more going on here? Either way it is confusing.

I will most definitely be staying in Maple Falls another week. After that—I don’t know.