He steps into the room and sets a small bundle he’s been holding in his hands down on the chair just inside the door. Clothes, I realize. And shoes too.

“I brought you these from the locker room,” he tells me. “Since you left in your…”

He gestures to me, indicating the hockey gear I’m still wearing. I didn’t even bother to take any of it off yet, too focus on making sure Hannah was okay.

“Thanks,” I tell him.

He nods, then comes to stand at my side. We look down at Hannah silently, and although Dunaway and I have plenty in common when it comes to hockey, for the first time outside the arena, I feel a real sense of solidarity with this man. We’re both completely focused on the amazing woman lying in front of us.

“Any updates on the tests?” I ask quietly so I won’t wake Hannah up. I’m assuming he probably stopped to talk to a doctor or nurse on the way in and got whatever the latest update is.

“Still waiting,” he responds, his voice rough with emotion. I can see the strain etched into the lines of his face.

The room goes quiet again, except for the low noises of the machines monitoring Hannah, and I clear my throat, glancing over at him. “How did the rest of the game go?”

Dunaway blinks, then lets out a rueful chuckle. “Honestly? I have no idea. Everything after Hannah collapsed is just… a blur.”

I nod, understanding that feeling completely. A ghost of a smile crosses my face. “I guess we can both find out tomorrow.”

Dunaway snorts softly. Then his expression shifts, becoming more serious. “Listen, I wasn’t fair to you before,” he says quietly. “When I found out about you and Hannah, I shouldn’t have tried to stop you from seeing each other. After everything that happened with Casey, her mother and I are just very protective. Maybe… too protective.”

I cross my arms, turning to face him more squarely. Ever since I started with the Aces, I’ve looked up to this man—and maybe been a little bit terrified of him too. But right now, it doesn’t feel like we’re talking as coach to player. It feels like we’re talking man to man. “I understand wanting to protect her, sir. I really do.”

Dunaway studies me for a long moment, then speaks with raw emotion. “She means everything to me. And I can see now that she means a lot to you too.”

“I’ll always take care of her,” I promise, my voice low but absolute. “I mean it.”

Our eyes lock, and he claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing once. “I know.”

50. Hannah

Chapter 50

Hannah