explanation about his retirement plans, dipping a bit deeper with the details about his family. Walters knew enough about Henrik’s disdain for his family’s wealth to grasp the importance of his realizations and subsequent peace with it.
“Until last Sunday, you were the only person on the team who knew I could play the guitar. You’re the only one who knows anything real about me. The other guys see the girls I used to date and the hockey stereotype. Even Hauke and Rylie only know little bits based on what I’ve let them see recently.”
“And now?”
“I don’t need to hide anymore.” It really was that simple. His fear of rejection held no power over him now. He finally trusted that his true friends and family—in all their various forms—would be there for him no matter what he did. “Jacqui helped me see that.”
“She sounds like a girl I really need to meet.”
“So tomorrow then?” He gave Walters a brief rundown of the concert time and location, along with his desire to get the whole team there. It was going to happen. He’d make sure of it. “Can I count on you? We can go out for dinner after.”
“We’ll be there.”
Three calls down and a dozen more to make. Henrik checked the time and decided it was still too early to start on the rest. The hard ones were done. Now it was a matter of getting the other pieces into place.
And being there for Jacqui.
His fear hovered beneath the surface, clawing to get free and overwhelm him. He refused to let it out though. Even if she was right and the cancer was back, he couldn’t—wouldn’t—fear for her. He wouldn’t let any of his time be darkened by it now that he finally had exactly what he wanted.
From this point forward, he was determined to live his life, not hide from it. And he was bringing Jacqui with him.
Chapter Thirty
Jacqui checked her phone for the hundredth time that day, only to set it back down. The store had finally quieted down, the last of the Black Friday shoppers dying out. Working and staying busy was the best way to avoid stewing over the pending test results.
Henrik had reluctantly let her leave with a kiss and a long hug. Once again, he’d been more understanding than she’d previously given him credit for. Shame over her lack of trust in him still had her wincing. She’d never doubt him again though.
“What a day,” Max groaned, slumping against the counter. His dark hair flopped over one eye, leaving an exhausted looking one peeking out. “I think I could sleep for a week.”
“Be thankful you’re not the one opening tomorrow.” That’d been her bargaining chip to get this morning off for her tests. “And don’t forget we have practice at noon.” The school’s holiday concert was tomorrow night, and they were both performing in it.
“No rest for the wicked, right?”
“Okay, Max,” their boss said as he trudged up an aisle. “You can head out now.”
A small whoop, and Max took off for the back where the employee lockers were. Jacqui chuckled and dug out the duster to do some cleaning. It was doubtful she’d be hearing from her oncologist this late at night. Was the delay good or bad? Did the lab get backed up, or were the tests still inconclusive meaning even more tests? Would he call tomorrow even though it was Saturday? He’d never made her wait before.
She rubbed her hand over the sore spot on her stomach, the burning pain light right now but still there.
“Are you okay, Jacqui?”
She jerked up at her boss’s question, smile moving into place. “Fine. Just tired.”
He glanced around the store, checked the time. “Why don’t you go too? It’s been a crazy day, but things are pretty much done now.”
“Are you sure?” She was already edging toward the back, duster restashed beneath the counter.
He laughed, waving her off. “Go. I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”
“Thank you!” She was in the back, grabbing her coat and purse before he could change his mind. Max was already gone, having left as quickly as she intended to.
The cold air smacked her cheeks when she stepped outside, light snowflakes falling to dust the ground in a layer of white. She’d already texted her mother that she wouldn’t be home tonight, her smiley face reply an unobtrusive show of approval.
Damn, she loved her family. Even when they were overbearing and intrusive, they supported and loved her. She hadn’t met Henrik’s family