of it, you know I’ll support you no matter what career you choose.” She winks at me. “You could be a stripper and I’d be in the front row cheering you on—but please don’t choose that path because I think your father might actually kill you.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Do you think he’ll kill me for the med school thing?”
“He’ll come around.”
“You really believe that?”
“Absolutely.” She sighs. “But I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive you for giving away your birthday gift. He picked those earrings out himself, Demi.”
The journey home is timed perfectly. Hunter’s game starts at eight, and the bus pulls into Hastings just before seven. That gives me plenty of time to go home, shower, and make my way to the hockey rink to meet Pippa, and Hunter’s roommates. Well, except for Hollis and Rupi. They’re away on a weekend trip, which is a relief because the arena is already loud enough without adding Rupi Miller’s voice to it.
I do have one more task to complete, though. I’ve been thinking about it for days now, ever since Hunter told me he loved me.
I feel like a jerk for not saying it back, but I didn’t want him to think the only reason I was saying it was because I was upset, or simply grateful that he wasn’t cheating. When I do say it, I want to be calm and centered. I want him to look into my eyes and see the sincerity shining there when I tell him I love him. Because I do love him.
And when I love someone, my first instincts are to protect them, support them, encourage them to embrace their strengths and combat their weaknesses. I heard the confidence in Hunter’s voice when he announced that he would never cheat on me, and it told me something important.
It told me he’s starting to trust himself.
Sure, it helps that his season didn’t fall apart after we started sleeping together, as he feared it might. But even if it had, I still think he would’ve learned these same lessons. That he’s capable of staying faithful. He’s capable of playing hockey and having a girlfriend, a sex life.
I truly believe he can succeed in the NHL without letting the lifestyle corrupt him. Don’t get me wrong—I can see how it would freak him out. Garrett Graham can’t leave his house without a disguise, for God’s sake. And Garrett’s girlfriend told me at the nightclub that there’s a woman who lurks outside their city brownstone hoping to catch glimpses of him.
So yes, it’s a daunting life. It’s long stints away from your loved ones. It’s sex on a platter. But I have faith in Hunter. And although he’s finally starting to have faith in himself, he still needs one last push.
I pull up Brenna’s number and gaze out the window as I wait for her to answer. The bus is about ten minutes from the station in Hastings.
“Hey,” Brenna greets me. “Are we still good for tonight?”
“Of course. I’m going to take an Uber to campus and stop off at home first to shower and change, though. But I just had a quick question for you.”
“What’s up?”
“Do you have any way of contacting Garrett Graham?”
A beat. “Um. Yeah, I should be able to do that. Why?”
“I’m planning a surprise thing for Hunter,” I answer vaguely. “I could use Garrett’s help.”
“Sure. I don’t know if I have his cell saved in my phone, but Fitzy would definitely have it, or Summer’s brother. I’ll ask them.”
“Thanks, chica. I’ll see you in a bit.”
The moment I get home, I strip off my clothes and take a hot shower, hoping to inject some warmth back into my bones. We’ve reached that hideous part of the winter where you can never, ever feel warm. February in New England is a glacial hellscape, the time of year when my mother and I are in whole-hearted agreement. She hates the winter from start to finish, I hate it in February. It’s like a Venn diagram and we’re finally in the same circle, clinging to each other for body heat.
I bundle up in my terrycloth robe and approach my closet, debating what to wear. I’d like to look cute for Hunter if we’re hanging out afterward, but the arena is so damn cold. Sure, there are heaters and enough bodies in the place to generate some heat, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the chill.
I finally settle on thick leggings, thick socks, and a