Hockey Holidays Read online

  “Awesome. I guess you'll be busy snapping photos and getting quotes for social media and your website piece.”

  “Yes. I can't wait to see the kids have a good time.” She nudged him. “I heard they're having a charity auction to win a ‘Day with a Kingsnake’ for 25 select fans. And you're the prize?”

  Ty chuckled. “Yeah. Anyone who went to a Kingsnakes game in the last year can enter. Last season, Caleb Steele, one of our defensemen, ended up spending the day with a star-struck eighteen-year-old who won. He wasn't the happiest camper.”

  “Aww, but I'm sure it made her entire life.”

  “She probably has a thousand selfies with him to mark the occasion,” Ty said dryly. “So, are you ready for the family and friends skate? I need to see if Avery and her family are here.”

  “I bet she's excited. But Ty, are you sure I should be out there? Technically, I'm working, and I'm not really—”

  “—my family? Or my friend?” He paused in the middle of the concourse, sliding his hands around her waist. “We were friendly last night, El. Extremely friendly.”

  Ella flushed, remembering the scorching hot sex and the sweet, sexy things he'd whispered.

  “El, two years ago, we weren't only lovers, we were best friends. For me, that hasn't changed. And like it or not, you are my family. You belong out there. Besides, Avery's counting on us all skating together, remember?”

  “Well, now I can't say no.”

  He grinned. “Good. Now let's get a pair of skates on you.”

  “Look, I'm skating, Quinn!”

  Avery, wearing a little Santa hat, held onto the handles of a balancing aid disguised as a snowman as she glided along the ice.

  Holiday music played on the sound system as the players and their families and friends enjoyed the afternoon skate.

  “I see,” Ty said, nodding. “Pretty soon you'll be flying around the rink with no help at all.”

  Ella snapped a few photos of Avery happily skating beside Ty. They waved as they passed Avery's parents, who hovered near the edge of the rink, watching their daughter.

  “Mommy! Daddy! Look at me!”

  Ella didn't miss their relieved, happy faces as their daughter whizzed by.

  “You're doing great, baby,” Avery's dad called.

  “I want to skate backward like you, Quinn,” Avery said, screwing up her face in concentration as she rounded the corner of the rink.

  “You'll get there, kiddo. Not today, though. You need practice.”

  “I wish Sammy was here,” Avery said, then let out a sigh. “We were gonna learn to skate together.”

  “Who's Sammy?” Ella asked.

  “She lives next door. She was my best friend.”

  “Was?” Ty asked.

  “Yeah. She's mad at me. I made friends with a girl named Laurel at summer camp. Laurel came to visit me before I got hurt. We made dance videos and went to the amusement park together and made friendship bracelets. Sammy saw my bracelet from Laurel and got real mad. She said I forgot about her and we couldn't be friends anymore.”

  Ella placed her hand on Avery's shoulder. “Sounds like Sammy felt left out because you made a new friend.”

  “That's what Mommy said. I don't get to see Laurel much ‘cause she lives far away, but now Sammy won't talk to me. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I love her. She's my best friend.”

  “Did you tell Sammy that?” Ty asked.

  “No,” Avery said, shaking her head. “I'm afraid.”

  Ty slowed to a stop in front of Avery. “Why are you afraid?”

  “She was so mad. I know she hates me.”

  “She doesn't hate you. She was probably worried that you wanted Laurel for your new best friend. Maybe if you told Sammy exactly what you told us, she'd be your friend again.”

  “What if she won't?”

  “If you love Sammy, you have to try. Because best friends don't give up on each other, Avery. Not ever. Sometimes you fight, and things can go wrong, and you don't talk for a while. But best friends… they're forever.”

  Ella drew in a sharp breath and jerked her head up, her eyes locking with Ty's as his words went straight to her heart. He might be speaking to Avery, but she had no doubt that message was for her.

  “I know.” Avery hesitated. “Can you ask her to be my friend again, Quinn?”

  “No, it has to come from you.” He tapped his chest. “From your heart.”

  “Okay,” Avery said, looking determined. “When I get home, I'll go to her house and tell her.”

  “Atta girl.”

  Avery rubbed her belly. “Quinn, I'm hungry.”

  “The Carnival is going to open up soon, and they have a ton of food outside.” He pulled out a handful of food vouchers. “Give these to your parents. It should be enough to get all of you a good lunch and some snacks.”

  “Thanks, Quinn! Are you going outside?”

  “Yep,” he said, nodding. “But I'm going to skate with Ella first.”

  “Okay,” Avery said, skating over to her parents.

  Ty took Ella's hands in his. “That okay with you?”

  “Yes. I haven't skated like this with you in a long time.”

  “Too long,” he said, his voice husky. “It's nice.”

  “What you said to Avery… it sounded like it was for me, too.”

  “It was,” he said, running a finger along a stray wave that had escaped her ponytail. “You were always my best friend, Ella. I just hope that you haven't given up on us.”

  Ella swallowed and looked up at him, her gaze drawn to the colorful new tattoo that went up the side of his neck—an intricate design of plants, flowers, and vines. There, on one of the leaves, was a ladybug with the name Ella written on the wings in a swirling font.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, reaching out to touch her name. “Why didn't I see this before? Ty, when did you do this?”

  “A year ago.”

  Overcome with emotion, she let go of his hands and hurried to a corner of the rink.

  “Ella,” he said, skating up to her. “Listen—”

  “Why would you do that? We weren't even together! What if you'd started seeing someone else? How would you have explained that tattoo?”

  Ty brushed his fingers down along her cheek. “You need to listen to me, El. Really listen, okay? I know that I took a few wrong turns, and I got lost along the way, but those roads? They always led me back to you. I understand that life with me comes with some challenges, sweetheart, but I'm working hard at staying clean and being a better person, because I want to give you the life you deserve. The life we deserve together. All I want is a chance at forever with you. It's always been you, Ella. I love you so much. You’re the one.”

  Ella blinked back tears as she looked into his dark, serious eyes. The shattered pieces of her broken heart found their place once again, and for the first time in two years, she finally felt whole.

  Her future wasn't uncertain anymore. It was standing right in front of her, and all she had to do was reach out and grab it with both hands.

  And never let go.

  “Ty, I—”

  “Hey, Quinn! It's time for the win a ‘Day with a Kingsnake’ auction,” Caleb called as he skated past.

  “Damn,” Ty muttered, tilting his head back. “As usual, my timing is total shit. I'm sorry, El, but I have to get over there. We'll talk later, okay?” He brushed his lips against hers. “See you soon.”

  “Soon,” Ella echoed, watching him skate away.

  Happiness flooded through her as she thought about everything he'd just said, and she smiled to herself as she hurried over to one of the rink's exit doors.

  She needed to see this auction for herself.

  “Did the auction start yet?” Ella asked Zoe, who stood with Penn near the doors of one of the private banquet rooms.

  “Nope,” Zoe said. “You’re just in time.”

  Ella glanced over at the makeshift stage where Ty stood. Fans crowded around, calling