Page 38

Xander

I t’s been three weeks since I got back from Massachusetts.

Three weeks since I last saw Rain.

Her silence has been killing me. But she asked for space, and I’m trying— really trying—to give it to her.

The weather’s shifting now. The air’s crisper, the leaves are starting to turn. I thought Rain would be here by fall. I thought we’d be picking apples or stargazing in the park. But now? I don’t know if she’s even coming at all.

Tomorrow’s my first home game of the season. And if she’s not there… I honestly don’t know how I’m going to get through it.

Maybe she wanted to let me down easy so I wouldn’t run back to her?

Maybe after meeting my folks, she realized I’m not the man she wants after all?

I shake the thought from my mind and toss my towel into the hamper. I grab a fresh pair of boxers and pull on my team tracksuit. We’ve got one final practice before the game, and I need to clear my head if I want to show up like I’m serious about this.

But as I slide into the driver’s seat and start heading to the arena, a thought hits me out of nowhere.

“Hello?”

“Gio? It’s Xander.”

“Hey, man. How’s it going?”

I let out a breath, scratching my head. God, maybe this was a mistake.

“I’m okay,” I say. “Tomorrow’s the home opener.”

I try to sound excited, but even I can hear the flatness in my voice.

“Oh yeah,” he replies, a smile in his voice. “Ruin was asking the other day how to watch your games.”

There’s a beat of silence, then I just say it. “Listen, Gio… I’m sorry to call, but you said I could reach out anytime, and right now, I’m hanging by a thread.”

I grip the wheel tighter.

“I’m not sure how much you know, but Rain’s been distant since we got back from visiting my family. She asked for space, and I’ve respected that, but… I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending I’m okay. If she’s not there tomorrow…”

The line is quiet for a beat, then I hear a faint whoosh of air.

If he knows something, I need him to tell me.

I can’t keep living in this agony.

“I’ve seen Rain a couple of times,” Gio finally says. “She seems okay. But you know Rain—she’s not going to come to me if something is going on in her life.”

I nod, though he can’t see it.

“What I’m about to tell you might cost me a night on the couch,” Gio says. “But you called, and I like you, so I’m going to risk it.”

I chuckle at that. I honestly can’t picture those two arguing about anything.

“The only thing my wife has shared about Rain,” he continues, “is that she’s been working hard training the new sous-chef. She told the whole staff she’s stepping down to live part-time in Raleigh.”

My brows furrow, and my heart kicks up.

She’s still planning to move ?

If that’s true, why the hell hasn’t she told me? I would be fucking ecstatic to know she hasn’t changed her mind about us.

“That’s all?” I ask, clinging to the hope that he’s got more—anything—that’ll explain her silence.

“Yeah, that’s all I know. I can’t say that’s the only thing going on, but…

I remember one night, right after you guys got back from your trip, Ruin cried herself to sleep.

I asked her what was wrong, and she just hugged me and didn’t say anything.

Maybe she had a rough day with the babies, or it was something else entirely.

I really don’t know. I can ask her again tonight, if you want. ”

My mind flashes back to Rain, the shift in her demeanor as she looked at her phone—the way she shut down afterward.

Maybe she finally told Ruin about her ex.

But I don’t want Gio to get in trouble. He’s already doing more than enough.

“You’ve done enough by letting me vent, Gio. Thank you.”

We say our goodbyes, and I park in the players’ lot, killing the engine with a sigh.

I sit there for a moment, then close my eyes.

I picture Rain’s smile.

Her laugh. Her touch.

Then I push it all to the back of my mind.

Because when I hit the ice today, I need to be locked in. Clear. Sharp.

Tomorrow’ s match is coming. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.

Hopefully, she’ll be there when the blackout ends and the lights come up.

The moment I’ve been striving toward—the one that pulled me through every grueling rehab session—is finally here. I’m back. I’m ready. And I’m pumped to hit the ice again.

I jump in place, rolling my shoulders as we wait in the tunnel to be announced. Adrenaline is already building, but I try to keep it in check. Focused. Controlled.

I usually don’t check my phone before a game—I’ve never needed to—but today I did. When I didn’t see any messages from Rain, my heart deflated.

No “Good luck.”

No “I’m proud of you.”

No sign she’s coming.

I can’t believe she’s not here. I can’t believe this really might be over.

She says she loves me, but if she doesn’t show up—doesn’t show me —then what am I holding on to?

Matt’s voice cuts through the noise.

“Remember—we set the tone from game one. We show them who we are, what we’re made of, and what we want. Every puck, every pass, every shot—we fight for it. Cody’s our last line of defense, but if they’re shooting, we’ve failed. Let’s be champions starting today.”

He raises his stick in the air, and we all howl in unison. A jolt of energy courses through the team like electricity. I glance at Nico and Victor—my linemates—and we nod, clicking sticks before getting in line.

“Please welcome your Carolina Red Wolves!” the announcer booms.

The arena erupts.

Matt charges the ice first. The moment my name’s called, I push off, skating a fast lap around the rink with my stick raised high, soaking the roar of the fans.

My eyes flick toward the spectator section, the spot I saved for Rain.

Nothing.

I spot a few other WAGS there—smiling, waving—but not my favorite redhead. Not my Rain.

Fuck.

Matt skates up beside me with a shit-eating grin.

I frown. “What?”

“Did you see the sign?” he asks between sips from his water bottle.

I shake my head. “What sign?”

He smirks and skates off toward the defensemen. “Take another lap, Hotshot. Pay attention to the front rows this time.”

I pour water over my head, trying to cool down. My pulse is still racing—for all the wrong reasons.

Then I push off and start another lap.

I keep it slow, waving at a group of kids in the front row. A few call out my name, bouncing with excitement, and I flash them a grin as I glide past.

I spot Charlie and Pat—a couple who’ve had season tickets for nearly twenty years—and coast to a stop in front of them.

“Xander, so good to see you back,” Charlie says, touching the glass.

“I’m happy to be back,” I reply, meaning every word.

Pat beams. “I can’t wait to see you score tonight.”

Her enthusiasm is contagious, and despite everything, it makes me smile.

“I hope so. I’ve been off the ice for a long time, but I’ll try my best.”

She nods, satisfied, and I tap my stick on the boards before skating off.

I round the corner toward our bench when something catches my eye.

A sign. Bright white poster board.

Wild about #37. Let’s go, Hotshot.

It’s covered with red hearts and cherries.

My heart skips. Hard.

And then I see her. Rain is here .

She’s here.

Fuck.

I don’t even feel like I’m controlling my skates anymore—my body just moves. I glide straight toward her like I’m being pulled in by some invisible force.

She’s standing near the glass, her face lighting up the second our eyes meet. Her smile stretches across her juicy lips—those lips I miss more than I can say. And her piercing gray eyes follow my every move.

“I didn’t think you were coming,” I say loud enough to reach her through the roar of the crowd.

“I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you…” She shrugs, sheepishly. “I wanted to surprise you.”

I can’t help it. I smile. “It’s okay. You’re here. That’s all that matters.”

I lift my gloved hand to the glass, and she lifts hers to mirror me. I just stand there for a second, drinking her in. Committing every detail to memory.

Her hair’s up in a ponytail, a white bow perched on top.

She’s wearing my jersey.

Mine.

And for the first time in weeks, the knot in my chest finally loosens.

She made a sign. She showed up. She’s here to cheer me on.

Whatever happened before—whatever distance was between us—we’ll figure it out later. We have time .

She mouths, I love you.

And just like that, I feel like I can breathe again.

I mouth it back. I love you too .

A hand lands on my shoulder.

“Let’s go,” Matt says behind me.

I give her one last lingering look. One more second of connection.

Then I turn and skate back to the bench, ready for the puck drop.

Ready for anything.

The first period blurs past in a mess of missed shots and heavy legs.

No matter how hard I push, I can’t seem to catch a fucking break.

I’d never admit it, but for the first time, I feel my age pressing down on me.

In the locker room, Coach lays out adjustments and tells us where we need to tighten up. Just as I’m heading out, he stops me with a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t overthink your moves, Xander,” he says. “Let the muscle memory guide you.”

I nod, jaw tight, and head back toward the ice. I shake off the doubt creeping in around the edges.

I’ve prepared for this .

I’m ready for this.

I can fucking do it.

With five minutes left on the clock for the third period, we’re down by one. No one has to say it—we need this goal.

Cody passes the puck to Matt, who brings it to our zone. He flicks his eyes up and nods toward me as he crosses into the offensive zone.

I get ready.

The moment the puck hits my stick, I dig in and pick up speed. I dodge one of the defensemen, letting the puck glide, then pull it back in as I approach the net.

Their goalie is already down, his body sprawled, but he’s left the top corner wide open.

I don’t think. I fire.

The puck slices through the air—

Clang.

Siren.

Fuck, yes!

The crowd explodes, a wall of sound that crashes over me as I lift my stick in triumph.

Nico’s the first to reach me, smacking my back as the rest of the team piles on.

“The beast is back!” someone yells, and I can’t help the grin that breaks across my face.

All I feel is relief. Relief and adrenaline .

I glance toward the stands and catch sight of Rain, losing her mind—jumping, cheering, her whole body lit up with joy.

I point to her with my stick and throw her a wink.

She blows me a kiss, and that spurs me on to continue giving it my all during the rest of the game.

By the time the final buzzer sounds, we’ve taken it 3-2. The arena roars like we’ve already won the Cup, the noise echoing in my chest as we pile onto the ice, a tangle of sticks and shouting and sweat.

The fans’ excitement was the extra fuel we needed to clinch the victory.

But let’s be honest— she’s what did it.

I needed her.

And she came.

After showering, I throw on my suit and spray a little cologne—okay, maybe more than a little.

“Damn, man. Where are you going? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you use that much cologne,” Cody says, waving a hand in front of his nose.

I chuckle.

“His girl’s here,” Matt chimes in, and catcalls fill the locker room.

“Good game, everyone. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” I say, brushing past the noise. I’m not interested in talking about Rain with anyone. Not yet. Not until we talk.

Matt falls in step with me as I head out.

“You couldn’t wait to meet her, huh?” I ask, side-eyeing him.

He shrugs with a grin. “I needed to meet the girl who stole your heart and had you hanging on her every word all this time.”

I shake my head, but pick up the pace the closer we get to the press hallway where the WAGS usually wait.

My eyes scan the cluster of familiar faces, but I’m looking for her .

And then I see her.

She’s standing off to the side, fidgeting, her sign folded in half and clutched to her chest. She’s not talking to anyone. Just waiting.

“Hey, babe,” I say as I approach.

She turns the moment she hears my voice, arms already outstretched. She closes the distance between us in two steps.

“ Fuck , Hotshot,” she murmurs against my lips as she wraps herself around me. “And here I thought you couldn’t get any hotter than you do in that uniform.”

I don’t even answer. I just kiss her—slow, deep, desperate. My hands roam her back as I hold her flush against me.

She’s really here. She came back to me .

Someone clears their throat beside us, but I don’t care. I'm not done kissing her.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Matt says, clearly amused, “but I need to get going.”

I shoot him the finger over Rain’s shoulder.

He chuckles, but Rain pulls back slightly, her arms still around me.

“Oh, sorry—were you waiting for us?” she asks, a little breathless.

“Hmm, yeah. I’m Matt—Xander’s best friend. I wanted to meet the woman who he’s been talking my ear off about.”

Rain grins. “Hi, I’m Rain MacAllister. This hottie’s girlfriend.”

I kiss her hair as she shakes Matt’s hand.

“It’s great meeting you, Rain. I won’t keep you, but I hope you stick around. We can plan a double date. I know my wife, Trin, is dying to meet you.”

Rain nods. “Yes, we’ll definitely have to plan something.”

Matt gives me a half hug and walks away.

“Did you drive here? Please tell me you’re spending the night with me.”

She bites her lip and lowers her gaze. “I’d love to stay with you—if you’ll have me,”

I exhale and pull her into my arms again. “I know we need to talk. But if I’m totally honest, I can’t wait to have you.”

She hums against my chest. “Me too. We can talk after.”

We share another kiss, then head toward the exit, hand in hand. “You drove Minx here?” I ask, unable to hide my amusement.

She shrugs. “Yes, of course. That’s my only mode of transportation. Well, that and the RV. But I figured Minx would be a tad easier to navigate in the city.”

God, I missed her. I don’t know how I didn’t lose my damn mind all these weeks without her.

“We’ll pick her up tomorrow. I need to come for a morning skate. Is that okay?”

She nods, smiling, and before I can stop myself, I grab her waist and toss her over my shoulder.

She squeals, laughing uncontrollably as her feet kick in the air.

“Nuh-uh, Cherry. I’m carrying you all the way to my SUV,” I say, giving her ass a quick pat “And don’t worry, my shoulder’s as good as new.”

Her laughter is like a balm to every wound she left behind.

I can’t tell if she’s laughing because it’s funny or because she’s nervous.

Either way, she’s here.

And I’m not letting her go again.

Not tonight. Not ever.

Because I’m ready to get lost in the sweetness of her. In her touch, her laugh, the taste of her skin.

In the absolute certainty that this is what I’ve been holding on for.