Chapter 25

Chapter

Twenty-Five

GRACE

The salon comes into view, and I think about going back to the house to take care of Otto. But he demands that I go to work, probably because he's tired of me babying him. I've been hovering, and even the doctor said he was able to return to light workouts at the gym.

He's not even taking pain meds anymore, and his antibiotics are almost finished. He's almost as good as new, bionic cheek and all.

But I don't want to leave him alone, not because I don't think he's okay, but more because I'm not okay. I'm trying to be, and I don't think Hayze will be back, but I'm terrified I'll always look over my shoulder for him.

And when I'm hiding at Otto's, I am warm and safe. So, I know I'm being selfish because he needs his space. I know it isn't healthy to hide away and that I'm just as safe in this place as I am at his.

I should also go back to work. He can pay for a lot of things, which he's declared he will. But Otto should not have to pay for everything. So, my small part-time hourly wage is going to be as much help as I can do right now.

It makes me feel somewhat less selfish, but I know without a doubt that I am not going to put a dent into what it costs to live in this world. So, I'm going to have to figure something else out, but unlike just a few short weeks ago, I'm not desperate.

Not completely, anyway.

I'm still a little desperate because I don't want to be a burden, not to anyone, and especially not to Otto. I love him. Reaching out, I wrap my fingers around the doorknob and tug it open.

The music is on, the women are chatting, and calmness washes over me. This is home. Otto's place and here. I feel at peace. Every part of my soul is calm, easy, and happy. It doesn't matter that my parents are living in their own selfish bubbles.

It doesn't matter that I've been expelled from school. Because all is right within me. Here and beside Otto—I am home.

The chatting stops, and I feel all eyes swing to me. I recognize a couple of the ladies in the chairs, but they aren't the ones I'm looking at. My eyes well with tears as Brooklynn rushes toward me.

Her arms wrap around me, and I feel her breath exhale against my ear. "Thank God you're home. Right where you belong."

"I was stupid," I say.

She grips my shoulders, taking a step backward as she straightens her arms. Her eyes focus on mine before she speaks. "You were no such thing. You loved him so much that you wanted to give up your happiness for his. That's bravery, not stupidity."

"It's stupid," I argue with a giggle. "But thank you for not making me feel that way."

"Well," a voice calls out as the chair beside us spins around.

Glancing down, I smile at the sight of Lorelai sitting across from me. She's got foils in her hair and is wearing a smile on her face. I don't know her well, but what I do know I like. She stands to wrap her arms around me in a quick hug.

"I'm glad you're back," she murmurs before taking a couple of steps backward.

Her gaze searches mine as she watches me with a big smile playing on her lips. I don't think this woman could smile any bigger. She's happy. I hope I am just as blissful as she is one day. Even half as happy would be a feat.

"Reid was just sick about what happened. He's been in constant contact with Otto. Are you okay? "

Her last words come out in a whisper, and I know she's asking if I'm okay after what Hayze did without actually asking me, especially in a public forum. All the girls are good that way, and Lorelai is one of them.

"I'm okay," I say with a smile.

I try to blink away the unshed tears, but they start to fall anyway. I can't hide them or keep them away. They are here, and they are falling. As much as I don't want them to and as weak as they make me feel… they fall anyway, without my permission.

Chewing on the corner of my bottom lip, I let out a heavy sigh before I lift my hands and wipe the tears away.

"Okay, let's get to work. I've had too many days off, and I'm sure everything is unorganized and the laundry has piled up," I call out.

The hairdressers go back to their clients, and Lorelai takes her place in her chair, spinning around while Brooklynn returns to her. As I move through the salon, I take in everything. The sounds, the smells, the colors. This is where I belong as much as beside Otto.

I work through lunch, then until the last client leaves. I'm sweeping up when there is a knock on the front door. Jumping, I look over, my broom in hand. It's not like I'm alone. The other girls are here, cleaning up their stations and organizing as they prepare for another busy day tomorrow.

"I wish you would move back to our place," Brooklynn announces as she walks toward the door.

I watch as she unlocks it and smiles at the man on the other side. I know that man. I love that man. And I live with that man.

"I don't think Otto would like that," I say as soon as he moves through the door.

"What wouldn't Otto like?" he asks, his eyes sparkling as he makes his way toward me. He doesn't stop when he reaches me. He lifts his hands and cups my cheeks, his lips pressing against mine. "I missed you, honey," he murmurs against my mouth.

"Back to our place. We didn't get her long enough before in came you hockey men to take another one away. It's getting to be a bit ridiculous at this point," Brooklynn calls out.

She wrinkles her nose, but Otto doesn't seem a bit offended. He turns his head and lets out a belly laugh, tugging me closer to him. His arms wrap around my waist as he holds me close.

"You can't have this one," he says, shaking me gently.

Pressing my cheek against his chest, I listen to his heartbeat for a moment, inhaling and exhaling as he keeps me close to him. I never imagined this is where I would be, this is the life I would lead.

In fact, I would have never in a million years allowed myself to fall for a hockey player. Especially one of my father's. Yet the first one I bump into, I fall for. Head over heels, down a cliff, whatever you want to call it—I've fallen, and for the first time in my entire life, I don't ever want to get up.

OTTO

Sitting on the sidelines, I watch my brothers play. It's only practice, but the sight of them on the ice sends jealousy throughout my entire body. I want to be out there. I want to be suited up with my stick in hand. I want to defend my goalie. I want to throw a punch. I want to be part of the whole thing. But I'm stuck sitting here like a big goddamn bump on a log.

"Not much longer. You'll only be missing the first three games of the season."

I snort. "Might as well be the whole goddamn season."

Coach Burns grunts. "You're being fucking dramatic."

"You call your daughter?" I ask.

He lifts his hand and runs his fingers through his hair before tugging on the ends. "Don't rush that. She's happy, and that's all that matters. You want money?"

"Coach," I warn, "I don't give a fuck about money. You know that. Not when it comes to Grace."

Coach clears his throat, his gaze shifting to look straight ahead at the men playing before he speaks.

"I care about her happiness. And I know her happiness doesn't involve me. I'm okay with that. I'm good with looking from afar. It makes this, all of it, easier."

I decide it's not my business, but at the same time, I'm going to give Grace more than she's ever had. I'm going to give her everything she's never had and everything she's ever wanted, and that includes a family.

Coach Burns leaves shortly after, choosing to let the conversation drop. It's probably for the best. It's clear that he has already made his decision. I can't change that. All I can do is hope that he comes around. And if he doesn't, I have her back—always.

The guys skate off the ice. I stay on the bench, watching. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply a few times.

I can smell the ice.

This is my home.

This is where I will always belong. It may not be the same arena. It may not be the same town. But here, inside an arena, surrounded by ice, this is home

"Hey, you wanna go to The Tipsy Tavern for lunch?" Reid calls out.

Jerking my chin in his direction, I stand. "Yeah, I do."