Page 49 of You Make It Feel like Christmas

SPORTS NEWS

King’s Reign Comes To An End

King had been suspiciously absent from several games at the end of last year. In a press conference given after his first game back (incidentally, his last game), he spoke honestly and vulnerably about dealing with some mental health issues.

The physical, emotional, and mental strain on players of all ages is something not talked about enough in the professional sports world. King held a press conference today at the Guardians’ stadium with Coach Derrick West at his side. West, who was visibly emotional, commented on King’s career.

“Nick King is a legend. It’s been an honor to coach him, to watch him grow and flourish on our team. He embodies the spirit of the game and the meaning of sportsmanship. He will be missed by everyone but we wish him well on the next step. He’s earned it.”

—Derrick West, Coach, San Jose Guardians

After sharing what hockey has meant to him and how it changed his life for the better, he was vague about those next steps in his life. He did, however, confirm that he won’t be staying in California.

Whatever King decides moving forward, the game of hockey, and those of us who watch it, are better because he played. Some players mark your heart and King was one of those guys. A King among men.

Tears traced down Maisie’s cheeks as she read the online article about Nick’s retirement.

Like he knew she was thinking about him, though it was a pretty good guess she would be, her phone rang.

She swiped her thumb along the screen, accepting his FaceTime call.

It’d been two freaking days and she missed him more than she knew was possible.

Maybe because she knew he was coming back soon and also because she hated not being by his side through it.

“Hey, baby,” he said, his gorgeous face filling the screen. His eyes looked tired, his hair like he’d run his hands through it.

“Hi. How are you?”

“I’m good. A bit tired. How was your day?”

Maisie caught him up on mundane things like filling out the paperwork for the university position, editing photos, and setting up her schedule for the coming months.

“Ellie texted to tell me she got the pictures you sent. She loves them and is very proud of me for, and I quote, ‘not keeping my head up my ass where you’re concerned.’”

Maisie laughed. “I love her.”

“You love me,” he said. There was awe in his voice and even though she could see the fatigue in his gaze, she saw happiness too.

“I really do. I can’t wait to see you,” she said. She wanted to talk to him about whether or not her place was too small for both of them. Did he want his own place for a bit?

“I love you too. About tomorrow,” he said, adjusting his phone so his image wobbled a bit.

“What about it?” She had a couple of appointments but could pick him up at SeaTac if needed.

“My agent managed to get me a last-minute meeting with the executives of our local news channel. They’re looking at adding a more in-depth sports segment.”

Her throat went dry but she spoke around it, trying to keep her tone even. “Does that mean you’d stay in California?”

Nick tilted his head. “Maisie. You’re there.

Of course I’m not staying here. Well, I am for tomorrow.

I don’t feel like I should close the door on any opportunities right now.

Plus, with the news just coming out, there are a lot of people reaching out and I just want to deal with all of this so that when I get there, I don’t have to turn around and come right back. ”

Work was part of life. He wouldn’t be an active player anymore but he still had a life, and hockey was part of it.

“Right. Okay.” Her phone buzzed with an incoming message.

“I’ll be there Friday night. Okay?”

She nodded. It was fine. No reason to worry just because the first time he said he’d be back, he wasn’t coming.

“Talk to me.” His concern was evident in his expression and tone.

“It’s fine. Really. You have to do those things and if you get a broadcasting job, traveling back will probably be part of it, right?” Did he feel like he had to move here?

Nick shrugged. “Maybe, but since the pandemic, there’s a lot more flexibility to do things remotely. It might mean outfitting a home studio. But we’re not there yet.”

She nodded. Okay. One step at a time.

Maisie reached out and pressed her fingertips to the screen. “I miss you,” she whispered.

“I miss you too.”

They went through their schedules and Maisie’s worries were alleviated by him suggesting they create a joint calendar. It was a thrill to do something so couple-y and a reminder that she needed to chill out about him being away sometimes.

Email notifications pinged through the phone on his end. She thought he’d let her go but he started talking about finding a real estate agent in the Seattle area. He’d looked at houses!

“There’s a few by the water,” Nick told her.

“There are so many beautiful areas here.”

“But you want to live by the water, right?” he asked.

Flutters kicked up in her stomach. “Nick.”

Nick shook his head and leaned into the screen so his face was bigger.

“I want to fall asleep beside you and wake up the same way. I want to come home to you, Maisie. I love you and I’m starting the next phase of my life and I want you there with me.

I’m not a twenty-year-old kid who wants to spend the weekend at his girlfriend’s place.

Your apartment is small and honestly, not in the greatest neighborhood. ”

He listed everything like they were in a debate.

Never mind flutters, there were fireworks going off inside of her. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

Holy shit. She wanted to, obviously. But hearing him say it all, listening to him make it clear that they were a given, was a heady experience.

Putting his face so close to the screen so all she could see was his lips, he said, slowly, “Read my lips.”

Maisie laughed. All she could see was his kissable lips.

“I love you, Maisie Smart, and I want to live with you.”

When he pulled back, he was grinning. “We good?”

“Yes, dear,” she teased.

He nodded with smug satisfaction. “Perfect. I’ll send you some of the listings.”

They chatted for a few more minutes and she was proud of herself for resisting the urge to ask him to stay on the phone until she fell asleep.

She’d have the rest of forever to sleep beside him and that forever started in just a few days. She could wait that long.

Nick King was definitely worth the wait. Just a few extra days.

M AISIE WAS SURPRISED WHEN her sister asked to meet for lunch a couple of days later.

Nat didn’t usually have a lot of time in her schedule during the week to meet up in the city.

Hurrying into the small bistro, she saw her sister from the door.

Waving as she walked, she’d shucked her damp coat by the time she reached the table.

Stupid rain. Maybe she should suggest she and Nick live in California for part of the year.

“Hey,” Nat said as she stood, gave Maisie a hug. Her belly took up more space between them than just two weeks ago.

“Hey, yourself. How’s the baby?”

They both sat down and Nat picked up her water. “Active. Likes to do aerobics around three a.m. using my bladder as a springboard.”

Laughing, Maisie was about to comment when she saw her mother headed their way. Her gaze flew to her sister’s, who clearly also saw, because guilt was written all over her wry smile.

“Sorry,” she whispered right before Maisie stood to hug her mom.

“Mom. What are you doing here?”

Giving her other daughter a hug before removing her coat and sitting with them, Laura Smart waited until she was good and ready to respond.

“This is nice,” her mom said.

“Mom,” Nat said in a warning tone.

A waiter approached and asked for their drink orders. All three of them ordered tea. It was that kind of weather day. Plus, Maisie needed the warmth with the extra chill coming from her mother’s direction.

Once they’d ordered drinks, her mom focused on Maisie. “Your father wanted to join me for this but he was called in to assist on a surgery.”

Maisie bit down her retort. She realized that while her dad didn’t get on her nerves nearly as much as her mom, the reason could be, quite simply, because he wasn’t around enough to do so.

Maisie said nothing, so her mother continued. “Your siblings and father feel I’ve been too hard on you.”

There were so many things wrong with that sentence that Maisie didn’t know where to start. She didn’t expect words to come tumbling out of her mouth.

“You came all the way from Boston to tell me that the people in our family who support what I do forced you to take a look at how you treat me? Not that you shouldn’t be so hard on me or that you love me and are proud of me?

No, you came all that way to tell me that they think you’re too hard on me.

Well, I’m with them but I’ve realized I don’t really care.

You don’t have to love what I do, Mom. Because I love it and that’s all that matters.

And while you’re here, I might as well pile on some news.

You’ll have to share it with Dad, of course, because he’s always got somewhere more important to be.

” She looked at Natalie to make sure she was following along.

She’d address her sister blindsiding her later.

Maisie looked back at her mom. “Nick is moving to Seattle. We’re moving in together.

I’m in love with him. Like, hopelessly, ridiculously in love with him.

And Christmas wasn’t the first time we met.

I had a one-night stand with him at my friend Hailey’s wedding last summer.

I’m done making excuses for the life I live, because it’s a damn good one.

I have a job I cherish, a man I love who actually loves me back, amazing friends, and a family who, in most cases, has my back, even if recent events suggest otherwise. ”

Her mother’s gaze seemed to widen in small fractions as Maisie spoke.