Page 76 of Cross the Line

“I know,” Georgia said in a gentle tone. “But I’m sure they’d understand if the right opportunity came along.”

She was right. Even so, I’d built a community there, and I found it difficult to imagine playing with a different team. It would be hard to say goodbye to the Wolves, especially Annika and Steph.

“Even if I did move to LA…” I paused, needing to make sure this was clear. “It wouldn’t be because of Carson.”

Georgia fell quiet for a moment then let out a heavy sigh. She finished my hair before running her fingers through it.

“You have to do what’s best for you, Logan. And even if Carson was part of the, or even the main, reason you chose to move to LA, you know that would be okay too, right?”

I shook my head. Maybe for someone else, but not for me. Not after how hard I’d worked to get to this point.

She was quiet a moment. “I know your ex did a number on you.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “But the right person would never ask you to sacrifice your dreams for them. The right person would support you, encourage you, and celebrate your success.”

Carson did all that and more, but still… “It’s not just about my ex,” I admitted. “It’s about my parents…Bryn.”

Georgia tilted her head. “What about them?”

“My parents sacrificed so much for Levi and me to get to where we are today. They stayed together for years, setting aside their wants and needs so my brother and I could chase our dreams.”

“Logan,” Georgia said in a gentle voice. “They chose to do that. They wanted to do that. And I’m pretty sure if you asked them, they would say that it didn’t feel like a sacrifice.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, though I appreciated the sentiment.

“What about Bryn, then?” I asked. “Derek died.” I clenched and unclenched my fists. “He died, G. And for a while, I was terrified we’d lose Bryn too.”

Georgia’s expression was solemn. “So was I. Losing Derek was so unexpected. And I know, I know Bryn was terrified to love again. But if she’d let her fear stand in the way, she wouldn’t have realized how happy she could be with Frasier.”

I nodded. Anyone who saw them together could see how much they loved each other.

“For what it’s worth,” Georgia said, “I think you and Carson are really great together.”

I thanked her and promised myself I would keep an open mind.

The conversation shifted to other—lighter—matters, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what Georgia had said. I kept returning to it while we finished getting ready, while we drove to the stadium where we met Bryn. Her smile was wide, her belly so large that Frasier’s jersey didn’t cover it.

And she was happy, so happy. Despite the black circle with a white number six on her jersey to represent her late husband, Derek. Despite the banner hanging from the rafters in honor of the man she’d loved and lost far too soon.

For so long, I’d thought of love as sacrifice and pain. But here Bryn was, proving me wrong. Showing me that happiness was possible even in the midst of terrible loss. And if she could open herself to love again, even after everything she’d endured, maybe I could too.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Well, that was wild.” Georgia laughed as we watched the paramedics wheel a gurney with Bryn and her baby through the tunnels of the Atlas Center. Bryn’s sister, Allie, was by her side.

We’d planned to go to the hospital with Bryn, but she’d insisted we stay for the rest of the game—both to report on what was happening and to support the guys. Allie had promised she wouldn’t leave Bryn’s side. And as much as I wanted to be there for Bryn, a room full of friends wouldn’t exactly promote rest and recovery for her or bonding with her newborn.

Kylie let out a laugh as they turned, disappearing from view. “Watching one of my best friends give birth at the Atlas Center during Stanley Cup Finals was not on my bingo card.”

I laughed too—a mixture of relief, elation, and anxiety. “Nor mine.”

As if attending this game weren’t exciting enough. The first two periods had been a nail-biter, with a pair of evenly matched teams desperate to win. It made for some pretty fucking amazing hockey to watch, even if my stress levels were through the roof. The level of play was impressive, and I was definitely taking notes.

And then, at the end of the second period, Bryn had informed us she wasn’t going to make it to the hospital. I still couldn’t believe how quickly it had all happened. Fortunately, Georgia had sprung into action. She’d contacted the on-site medical team, and we’d helped Bryn down to the med bay, where Dr. Astrid Thorne, Emerson’s twin, had taken over.

“That was impressive, G.” I nudged Georgia, still in awe of my friend.

“Thanks.” She dusted imaginary lint off her shoulder, grinning the entire time. “But that took a toll on my nerves. I could use a drink.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, grateful I wasn’t the only one. “Me too. Let’s grab some drinks and head back to our seats before we miss the rest of the game.”