Page 167 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

A self-deprecating laugh tumbles from his lips. “I’m far from that, darlin’.” A darkness I don’t like flashes in his eyes.

“You are to me.”

As if he can’t accept those words, he closes his eyes and rests his forehead against mine as we descend through the building.

I expect him to say something, but when the doors open, he takes my hand and steps out as if none of that happened.

Then he’s leading me through the parking garage. It doesn’t escape my notice how much easier he’s moving these days. He really is making incredible progress. Or at least, to my untrained eye, he seems to be.

“M-my car,” I stutter when he continues walking past it.

“We don’t need it tonight.”

“We don’t?” I ask.

He hasn’t been able to drive this whole time. Does this mean…

I glance over in time to see him pull a single key from his pocket.

“Calvin?” I whisper.

He presses an unlock button, and a car a few spaces away lights up.

“Fancy,” I tease as we move toward the electric-blue Mercedes. I have no idea what model it is, but one look tells me that it’s worth more than every car I’ve ever owned put together.

He walks straight to the passenger door and pulls it open.

“There you go, darlin’.”

But despite him holding the door open, I don’t move to get in. Instead, I slide my hands up his chest before resting my arms over his shoulders.

“So, your appointment went well this afternoon?”

“About as good as it could. They’re happy with my progress.”

I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my lips.

“That’s awesome. You’ll be back on the ice before you know it.”

“You’ll still be there, right?” he asks, cupping my jaw.

“I’ll be there,” I promise.

“Wearing my jersey?”

I nod, my smile growing. “Wearing your jersey.”

“Promise?”

I frown, my eyes bouncing between his. I hate the doubt I see there, and it only brings back the unease I’ve been fighting all day.

“Calvin, are you sure you’re⁠—”

“Do you promise, Sienna?”

I’m sure panic flashes through his blue eyes at the thought of me not being there for his return to the ice.

“Yeah. I promise. No matter what, I’ll be there.”