I curl up in his arms, and he rests his hands on my stomach, still crocheting. He makes it look so fast, so effortless, and I can’t take my eyes off the magic he’s working. I lean deeper into his embrace, and as I breathe in his familiar cedar scent, a sudden thought hits me.

This thing between us was never just about sex. Not even close.

It’s about forever.

51. Declan

Chapter 51

Declan

Coach Dunaway lingers in the locker room, watching me gear up as the rest of the guys start filing out.

“Everything okay?” I ask when we’re alone, and he nods before he walks over and sits down on the bench next to me.

“Everything’s great. I just wanted to go over a bit of a new play with you.”

It’s been a long road for me with Dunaway, but ever since Hannah’s collapse, it feels like we’re finding an equilibrium with each other. Actually, we’re getting along great, arguably better than we ever have, so as Dunaway goes over the details of his new strategy with me, I pay attention to every little detail—because I have a lot of respect for the man, and I want him to see it.

When he’s finished, Dunaway smiles and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Murray. Now get out there and show them what you’re made of—and don’t forget that Hannah is watching.”

He winks at me when I smile back, and we join the rest of the team out on the ice for the warmup. Thanks to our strategizing session, we don’t have as much time as we normally would, and it feels like the warmup flies by.

Before I know it, the puck drops, and the raw energy of the game breaks out. But even over all the noise, I can hear Hannah shouting my name and cheering me on. I grin to myself and put on an extra burst of speed, cutting across the ice like I’m flying. All the yoga I’ve been doing with her has paid off on the ice, and I’m faster and more agile than I’ve ever been. I’m playing for Hannah—and knowing that she’s in the stands cheering my every move makes it feel fucking effortless.

She inspires the hell out of me, and I’m so damn proud of her. She officially left law school not long after she told her parents she didn’t want to keep going, and they’ve both been amazingly supportive of her ever since.