Authors: Cher Carson
She shook her head, thinking it would be nice to have something to coat her dry throat, but she didn’t want to prolong this any longer than necessary. She wanted to get this over with, so she could catch her plane in time to witness the pre-game ceremony.
“I’m fine, thank you.” She claimed the seat across from him, setting the plain white envelope on the side table at her elbow.
He picked up a silver pen, twirling it between his thick fingers. “I knew I made the right choice when I hired you, Brooklyn. I don’t think this office has ever had a more committed deputy district attorney. I’m going to share something with you that I haven’t told anyone outside of my family.” He leaned forward. “I’m planning to retire next year, and I think you would make a stellar replacement. If you decide that’s something you want to pursue, I want you to know that you’ll have my full support.”
Her heart fell. A few months ago, if he had told her that she would be in line for the top job, she would have done anything and everything in her power to make that happen. Today, she realized there were more important things than position or influence. Since Chase’s visit, she’d spent countless hours trying to sort it out, determining what it would take to make her happy, and she was finally confident she had it figured out.
“I appreciate your confidence in me, sir.” She smiled. “And I’m glad that you’re pleased with the job I’ve done for this office. It’s been a wonderful learning experience for me. In fact, it’s given me a new perspective about what I should be doing with my life.”
He leaned back in his chair, a frown drawing his bushy gray eyebrows together in a harsh line. “I’m not sure that I understand.”
“Working as a defense attorney was rewarding at times, but there were times when I didn’t feel good about my place in the justice system. I often felt I was on the wrong side of the table. Working for your office has helped me realize that I need to work in support of victims’ rights.”
“Why do I get the feeling we’re losing you?”
She drew a deep breath, trying to force a smile. “My life is back home, my family, my friends…”
He smiled, shaking his head. “Is there a man waiting for you, perhaps?”
She had no idea whether Steve was still waiting for her to come to her senses; she could only hope. Regardless, she knew what she needed to do and where she needed to be, and it wasn’t Portland.
“There is someone back home who’s very important to me.”
“Do you mind if I ask why you accepted this position if you were in love with this person?”
“I had to do this, sir.” She knew she was making a mess of this, veering off the script she’d prepared, but she wanted him to understand how much this job helped her to see the bigger picture. “Professionally speaking, I had no idea which road to take when you contacted me. I only knew that I wasn’t on the right path. This experience has helped me to sort things out, see things from a different perspective.” She chuckled. “And it’s true what they say; absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.”
When she left home six months ago, Steve was little more than a fond memory of an amazing night. Since then, he’d become the first person she thought about when she woke up in the morning, and the last person she thought about before she finally drifted off to sleep at night. He, and their relationship, was the foundation on which she could build the life and career of her dreams.
“I’d be lying if I said I’m pleased about this, Brooklyn. But I do understand your reasons.” He stood, extending his hand across the desk. “I wish you the very best of luck in the next phase of your journey.”
“Thank you, sir. It may be a bumpy ride, but I’m looking forward to it, nonetheless.”
He winked, clasping her hand in both of his. “The bumps in the road help us to appreciate the destination all the more when we finally get there, my dear.”
Brooklyn settled into her seat just in time to see them rolling out the red carpet. The snow falling outside made traffic a nightmare, and she’d begun to question whether she would make the game at all.
Taylor Hudson claimed the seat beside her, looking as distressed as Brooklyn felt. “Sorry I’m late. The babysitter had a little car trouble and the baby was fussy tonight. I didn’t want to leave until she’d settled down.”
Brooklyn wasn’t expecting to see a familiar face during the game, but she was relieved to have someone to talk to. The alternative was being alone with her thoughts, allowing the fear and uncertainty about her talk with Steve to undermine her objective.
“No problem, Taylor. I just got here myself.” She smiled. “It’s nice to see you again. How’s that gorgeous daughter of yours?”
Taylor beamed, a smile lighting her beautiful face. “She’s amazing.” She squeezed Brooklyn’s hand. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you tonight. Chase wasn’t sure you’d be able to make it.”
“I assume he told you about his visit to Portland?”
“He did, but he wasn’t sure where your head was when he left. I have to assume the fact that you’re here is a good sign.”
Before Brooklyn could respond, the announcer walked to the end of red carpet at center ice, microphone in hand. He asked the audience to stand for the singing of the national anthem. Brooklyn stood, watching a beautiful, dark-haired little girl sing a moving rendition of their song of praise. Her eyes fell on the players’ line up. Steve was on the end, his eyes focused on the little girl.
She was certain Steve wouldn’t be expecting to see her tonight. Chase wouldn’t tip him off unless he knew for sure she was coming. She’d been so busy tying up loose ends in Portland that she had barely had time to eat or sleep over the past couple of weeks, much less call Chase.
When the little girl left the red carpet, the announcer raised the microphone to announce Steve’s achievement.
Steve raised his stick, skating a half-circle around the ice as fans got to their feet, cheering and shouting words of praise for their team captain.
Within minutes, the game was underway and both ladies reclaimed their seats.
Brooklyn had been a hockey fan since she was a kid and her father secured season tickets for their family. It was a Saturday night ritual while she was growing up: dinner, followed by the hockey game with her parents and older brother. She never imagined she would be sitting here, her eyes glued to one of the players instead of the fast-paced game she loved.
“Does Steve know you’re here tonight?” Taylor asked, her eyes following the action on the ice.
“No, we haven’t spoken in a while.” She could only hope he would still be interested in anything she had to say.
“I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled.”
“I hope so.” Her eyes travelled to the seats her parents usually occupied. Sure enough, they were there with her brother and his girlfriend. They had no idea of her plans or her relationship with Steve. She’d chosen to keep it private until she was certain of the outcome. But she couldn’t very well commit to spending her life with a man without telling her parents about it first.
She waited until the first intermission before making her way to their seats. Her brother’s girlfriend was in the restroom, which left a vacant seat beside him.
Her mother’s mouth dropped open when she saw her. “Honey, what are you doing here? We didn’t know you were going to be in town this weekend.”
She hugged her parents and brother before claiming the seat beside Matt. Leaning in so she could include all of them in the conversation, she said, “I quit my job in Portland. I’m moving back home.”
Her father clapped his hands once, his face breaking into a wide smile. “I knew it. I knew you’d come to your senses eventually.”
“Daddy, I’m moving back home, but I’m not coming back to work at the firm. I’m sorry.”
Her brother Matt, a police detective, put his arm around her shoulders. “Smart move, sis. Dad manages to put enough dirtbags back on the street without your help.”
Kendal Sykes glared at his son before turning his attention back to his daughter. “If you’re not coming back to the firm, what are your plans, Brooklyn?”
“I’d rather not get into that right now. There’s another, more important, reason I came home. That’s what I need to talk to you about.”
Matt chuckled. “You’re a workaholic, kiddo. What could be more important than your career?”
Flinching at his accurate assessment, she said, “I’ve been seeing someone. He’s the reason I came home.”
Her mother raised her eyebrows. “It sounds serious. Why haven’t you mentioned him before?”
“It was complicated. I wasn’t sure where things were going.”
“What can you tell us about him?” her father asked, crossing his arms.
She knew her father was asking about his profession and family, so she decided to take a deep breath and plunge in, having no idea how they would react to the news that she was dating a professional athlete instead of the doctors or lawyers she usually favored. “It’s Steve Davis.”
Matt laughed out loud, slapping his palm against his knee. “No freakin’ way. You’re dating Davis?”
“Sssh.” She looked around at the small crowd of curious onlookers who’d remained in their seats during the intermission. “The whole world doesn’t have to know.”
Her father frowned. “I’m surprised, to say the least. You know Davis has something of a reputation with the ladies, Brooklyn.”
She expected her parents to have some concerns about her choice, given Steve’s illustrious past. “I know that, but I trust him.”
Matt rolled his eyes at his father. “Give the guy a break, Dad. He’s a professional athlete. He can have his pick of women; can you blame him for playing the field?”
“As long as he’s not playing the field at my little girl’s expense.”
Brooklyn reached across to squeeze her father’s hand. “Don’t worry about me, Daddy. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” Her eyes drifted, including both of her parents. “I’ve never felt like this before; Steve’s the one.”
Her mother drew her into her arms. “We’re so happy for you, honey. I hope you two will be very happy together.”
Matt reached out to pull her against his side. “Yeah, I’m happy for you too. And just think about the bragging rights I’m going to have with the boys at the station, having Steve Davis as a brother-in-law.”
Brooklyn laughed, feeling more relaxed now that she’d included her family in her plans. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Matt. No one is talking marriage yet.” Though she would be more than willing, if Steve asked.
Chase looked around to make sure no one else was privy to their conversation before he asked, “Are you still thinking about packing it in, man?”
Steve leaned over the bar, drink in hand. “Yeah, it’s an off day tomorrow. We don’t have practice until Monday, so I thought I’d fly out to Portland and talk to Brook about where things stand.” He turned around when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
Grinning, Brooklyn said, “I saved you the trip.”
“Oh my God, Brook, what the hell are you doing here?” When she stood there staring at him, he realized she may have misread his shock as displeasure. He picked her up, lifting her off the ground as he held her close. “Baby, it’s so good to see you.” He buried his face in her neck. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too. That’s why I’m here.”
He set her down when he realized they were drawing the attention of nosy bystanders, including Nick Morris. “When did you get in?”
“Right before the game. Congratulations, by the way.” Seemingly oblivious to their spectators, she reached up, setting her hands on his face as she drew him in for a long, slow kiss.
“I think I need a cold shower after that,” Chase muttered.
Steve laughed, not caring who was watching them. The woman he loved was back in his arms, where she belonged; that was the only thing that mattered to him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were gonna be here?” he asked, kissing her repeatedly.
She laughed, pressing her palms to his shoulders. “Are you going to let me get a word in, Davis?”
It didn’t matter why she was here, for how long, or why she hadn’t told him. She was here to help him celebrate one of the biggest nights of his career. That told him everything he needed to know about the direction this relationship was headed.