Chapter Twenty-Three

Reeve

I pull into the stadium parking lot, a mixture of excitement and nerves churning in my stomach. The familiar sight of the stadium feels different today. Maybe because behind those doors, I'll find the answer to the future of my career.

As I walk through the players' entrance, the cool air hits my face, carrying the faint scent of ice and sweat that I've come to associate with home. My footsteps echo in the empty corridor as I make my way toward the medical wing.

Rounding a corner, I spot two familiar figures—Keely and Cammy, deep in conversation. Keely's face lights up when she sees me, and she waves me over.

"You're here," she says, her smile warm.

"Hey," I reply, keeping my voice casual. "What are you two up to?"

Cammy grins, practically bouncing on her toes. "I'm giving Keely the official tour. She just signed as a PT for the Hawkeyes. She's a Hawkeye now."

My heart swells with pride for Keely and a sense of relief floods my chest at knowing that at least she and I will be on the same team for years to come. Even if I can't be with her the way I want to, at least I'll catch her walking through the halls. She and I will still get to work together, and that will have to be enough. "That's fantastic news," I say, pulling Keely into a quick hug. "Congratulations, you deserve it."

Keely's cheeks flush right before I release her. "Thanks, Reeve. But today's about you. Are you ready for your appointment?"

I nod, squaring my shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"You've got this," Keely says softly, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll be seeing you around then?" I ask over my shoulder.

"If you can find me in this place," she beams, her arms outstretched above her head.

She's dialing back her excitement because she doesn't want to overshadow my day, but in this case, her victory is mine too. Because in some small way, I still get to keep her close.

"I was the "hide and seek" reigning champ of the Juneau Boys Wilderness Camp three years in a row—don't tempt me with a good time, Doc," I say over my shoulder.

Keely's giggle echoes through the hallway and a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

With a deep breath, I continue down the hallway towards the doctor's office, the weight of possibility heavy on my shoulders. It's time to face the music and find out if all our hard work has paid off.

I see Coach Bex waiting by the door of Dr. Omar's office. He's waiting for me.

"You ready?" he asks.

"To get back on the ice? Yes."

Dr. Omar greets us with a warm smile, gesturing for us to take a seat. "Reeve, Coach. Good to see you both. Let's get right to it, shall we?"

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest, grateful that the doctor isn't going to meet around the bush, "Yes, please."

Dr. Omar pulls up my latest scans on his computer screen, the black and white images filling the monitor. He points to various areas, explaining in medical jargon that I barely understand. But then he turns to us, his expression serious yet optimistic.

"I'm happy to report that your knee is healing remarkably well, Reeve. The scans show significant improvement since the scans that were taken in the hospital post-surgery."

I lean forward, hardly daring to hope. "So what does that mean, Doc? Can I get back on the ice?"

Dr. Omar glances at Coach Bex and Sam before answering. "After hearing Dr. Woods' report on your recovery, and the healing that I'm seeing on your scans, I'm clearing you for light practice, effective immediately."

The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I can feel the grin spreading across my face, my body humming with excitement.

Coach Bex speaks up, his voice gruff but pleased. "That's bloody fantastic news, Doc. But what exactly do you mean by 'light practice'?"

Dr. Omar outlines the restrictions - no contact drills, limited time on the ice, specific exercises to focus on. But I'm barely listening, already imagining the feel of my skates on the ice, the familiar weight of my gear.

As we wrap up the appointment, Coach Bex claps me on the shoulder. "Well done, mate. Now the real work begins."

I nod, determination flooding through me. "I'm ready, Coach. Let's do this."

As we leave the office, I think of who I want to tell first.

Keely.

There's no one even close. And she deserves to know first since she's the reason I'm going to be back on the ice sooner than everyone thought.

The guarantee of whether I can still play like I used to isn't assured, but that's for another day. Today, I just want to tell the one person to whom this will mean as much as it does to me.

I race through the hallways of The Commons, my heart pounding in my chest. When Dr. Omar told me I'm cleared for practice, I barely heard anything else he said. All I could think about was finding Keely, telling her the news, seeing the pride and joy on her face.

I spot her walking down the hallway, her auburn hair swaying with each step.

"Keely! Wait up!" I call out.

She stops and turns, a surprised smile spreading across her face when she sees me.

"Are you out of the meeting with the doctor already? Are you cleared?" she says, her voice questioning and excited.

I don't waste any time. I stride up to her, cupping her face in my hands. "I'm cleared," I say, my voice breathless with excitement. "Doctor said I'm good to go. I can play again."

Keely's eyes widen, her smile growing even broader, and then she wraps her hands around my wrists, keeping me close. "I knew you'd do it. I never questioned it."

The sweet inhale of her shampoo—the memory of how her lips taste against mine. I need it again, all of it—anything she'll give me.

"You've always believed in me."

The second she nods in agreement my lips crash down against hers, and it takes her a second to register my kiss but when she does, she melts into me, her hands sliding up my chest and tangling in my hair. And for a moment all I can think about is the softness of her lips, a gentle nibble she gives my lower lip and the expert way her tongue swirls against mine.

My hands trail down her body. I know her curves from the night we spent together in my bed and my shower, but I need to know more. I'm dying to memorize every inch of skin that covers her perfect body and I want her to know mine.

"You're going to get us caught," she says between our lips.

We break apart at the realization that we're out in the open, both panting slightly, desire burning in Keely's eyes. Her eyes are hooded and dilated—she wants me as badly as I want her. And though she has a date with a man I can't compete with as long as she and I both work for the Hawkeyes, she's not his yet. Not until next week.

"Come with me," I say, taking her hand.

She follows behind me, squeezing my hand tighter.

I pull her into a supply closet and lock the door, a knowing smirk on her lips when I turn back to take her mouth again.

The moment the door closes behind us, we're on each other again. Frantically discarding every inch of clothing off one another like this moment could end at any second, and we could miss our chance. I pull a condom from my wallet before my pants drop to the floor, and then, within a split second, we're pressed skin to skin.

I lift Keely up, her legs wrapping around my waist, and pin her against the wall. She lets out a soft moan as I grind against her, teasing her with my hard length.

My fingers reach for her, diving between her thighs, coating my fingers in her arousal and using it to slide my fingers in her tight pussy.

She whimpers as I ease in and out of her, my mouth swallowing every sound she makes for me. My tongue slides past her lips, claiming her fully. She tastes like heaven.

Keely kisses me back just as fiercely, her fingers threading through my hair as she keeps her thighs wrapped around my waist. I groan as our bodies meld together, her soft curves pressing against the hard planes of my chest.

"Reeve," she breathes, her head falling back against the wall.

"That's it, Keely. Let go," I growl, rocking into her harder. My fingers find her sensitive nub rubbing in tight circles. Keely cries out, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Please… I want you," she says, and I know exactly what she wants.

I'd spend more time getting her wet, playing with her, getting her off before I give her what she's asking for, but we're in a supply closet and time isn't on our side—nothing seems to be on our side. But that won't stop me from one last time.

I roll on the condom and then notch the broad head of my cock at her entrance, thrusting into her slick heat, pulling a gasp from her lips. She's so tight, so perfect, I can barely think when she feels this fucking good.

I deepen the kiss, my tongue tangling with hers. Keely meets my passion with equal measure, her hips rolling against mine as I drive into her over and over again. The closet is filled with the sounds of our moans and the slap of skin on skin.

I can feel my release building, the familiar tightening in my lower abdomen. But I hold it back, wanting Keely to find her climax first. I redouble my efforts, my fingers finding her clit and rubbing vigorously.

"Yes, Reeve, yes!" Keely cries out, her voice high and strained. I can feel her tightening around me, her orgasm nearing.

"That's it, Keely. Come for me," I demand.

With a final thrust and a flick of my thumb, Keely shatters. Her walls clamp down around me, squeezing me like a vice as she cries out. The pulsing of her release pushes me over the edge, and I explode inside her with a guttural groan.

We stay like that for a moment, pressing against each other as we catch our breath. Finally, I lower Keely's legs back to the floor, keeping my arms around her to steady her. She looks up at me, her eyes hazy with satisfaction.

We quickly redress, stealing glances and brushes of the hands as we go. When we're presentable again, we stare back at one another, both knowing what this is but neither ready to admit it.

"That was..." she starts but trails off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"It was perfect," I finish for her, brushing a stray hair from her face.

Keely smiles, leaning into my touch. "It was," she agrees.

"And it was the last time, wasn't it?" I ask, even though I know her answer.

"It has to be."

It doesn't have to be but it's her decision.

"You slip out first. I'll give you a head start."

She nods, a somber expression across her face.

"I'm really proud of you, Reeve. I hope this doesn't take away from that."

"It doesn't. Nothing takes away from this," I say, referring to what we just did.

There's an agreement in her eyes, and then she turns to the closed door and opens it, walking out and gently closing the door behind her.