Push (Colorado Storm Hockey #3)

Chapter 29

29

ADALINE

Holy crap, this place is insane. We’re at a local manufacturing center I’ve contracted with to produce and bottle my products for wider distribution and I’m trying to play it cool, but inside I’m freaking out. I can't believe it. My little concoctions, the stuff I first learned how to make in Teta's kitchen, will now be produced here on a larger scale. It's wild. Like, pinch-me-I'm-dreaming wild.

Mallory is just as giddy. She’s walking beside me, taking notes in a sparkly blue journal. Her purple hair is a stark contrast to the silver machinery of the facility. She’s as wide-eyed as I am, taking in every detail.

“And this is where we would bottle your products,” our guide, Sarah, explains, gesturing to a line of sleek machines. “We operate on a co-sharing model with other small businesses to keep costs down and reduce our environmental footprint. At peak times, we can produce up to 1,000 units a day for your line.”

“It’s incredible,” I say, hardly believing this is real life. “And I love the eco-friendly approach. That actually makes me feel a lot better about this. ”

After we finish the tour, Mallory and I hang out in the parking lot and talk through it all. My heart is racing with excitement about what we’ve just seen.

“So, what do you think?” I ask.

Mallory grins. “It’s amazing and kind of unbelievable. I’m not going to lie. I didn’t think this business would ever be this successful, but I should have known better. You really did it.”

“ We did it. And that’s actually something I want to talk to you about.” I take a deep breath. “Mallory, I couldn’t have gotten this far without you. You’ve been there from the beginning and I want to make you a partner in the business. Are you interested in something like that? I’d have you take on a bigger role. I want to keep creating, and I need someone who can be my operations manager.”

Mallory’s eyes widen in shock. “What? Are you serious?”

“Of course I am, girl. What do you say?”

Mallory lets out a squeal and throws her arms around me. “Oh my God, yes! I promise I will not let you down.”

I squeeze her tight. “I know you won’t. I will try my best not to let you down.”

As we pull apart, both laughing, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. This feels right.

We decide to celebrate with lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants that has the best green chili smothered burrito. As we settle into a booth, Mallory’s phone buzzes with a text. She glances at it and smiles.

“George?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Mallory nods, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Yeah, he wants to know if I’m free for dinner tonight.”

“Things seem to be going well with him?”

“Really well,” Mallory admits. “We’re taking it slow, though. Unlike some people I know who get married in Vegas on a whim.”

“Fair point,” I laugh. “Speaking of which… ”

Mallory’s expression turns serious. “How are things with Hux?”

I sigh, folding my napkin absently. “I’m not sure. He’s been distant since the Cup win. We’ve barely even texted. I feel like he’s keeping me at arm’s length, and I don’t know why.”

“It’s probably just all the post-Cup craziness,” Mallory reassures me. “I’m sure it’ll calm down soon.”

I nod, but the knot in my stomach tightens. “Maybe. But what if it’s more than that? What if now that the season’s over and Teta’s gone, he’s having second thoughts about us?”

Mallory reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “Ada, don’t think like that. He cares about you. It’s so obvious.”

“But what if it was all just convenient timing? The wedding, the playoffs, Teta. Now that it’s all over, what if he’s realizing this isn’t what he wants?”

The words tumble out, giving voice to the fears that have been plaguing me. Mallory listens patiently.

“Have you talked to him about this?” she asks gently.

I shake my head. “I’ve barely talked to him at all. That’s part of the problem.”

“You need to communicate, Ada. Tell him how you’re feeling.”

I nod, knowing she’s right, but I’m honestly dreading the conversation. What if he ends things when I do finally talk to him? “I just miss him. And I miss Teta. Everything’s changing so fast, and I feel like I’m losing my people.”

Mallory’s eyes soften. “I know you do. So maybe you should fight for the one who’s still living. You need to be honest with Hux and tell him how you feel.”

“I hate when you’re right,” I reply and flip the menu closed.

“You should be used to it by now,” Mallory says with that smart ass smile on her face.

As we eat lunch, discussing plans for the business, my phone remains stubbornly silent. No calls, no texts from Nik. The pit in my stomach grows, and I wonder how long I can pretend everything is okay when it so clearly isn’t.

After lunch, I walk back to the shop on my own. I decide to call Nik, but just like the last couple of times I’ve tried, he doesn’t answer. Only this time I don’t even get the chance to leave him a voicemail. The box is full.

What is going on with him?

We need to talk, really talk, about where we stand. Because the thought of losing him, of this whirlwind romance fizzling out before it’s really begun, is more painful than I want to admit. Teta always said that love was worth fighting for. Her advice had been right so many times, I’ve got to believe she would be right about this too.

Later, when my phone rings, I get a burst of hope that it’s Nik. That hope is dashed when I see it’s a number I don’t recognize. I decide to answer it anyway.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Ada?”

“Yes?”

“Hey, it’s Christopher MacCormack, Hux’s teammate.”

My chest tightens. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure.” Mac’s voice is tinged with concern. “The team’s victory parade is tomorrow, and I can’t get hold of Hux. He’s been MIA from most of the celebrations. I was hoping you might know what’s going on.”

I sink onto my couch, worry gnawing at my stomach. “I haven’t heard from him much either. He’s been distant since the Cup win.”

Mac sighs. “I was afraid of that. Look, I know Hux. With his career probably over, he might be struggling more than he lets on. Do you think you could try to get through to him? He shouldn’t miss the parade. I think he’ll regret it if he does.”

“Of course,” I say, already reaching for my keys. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Thanks, Ada. And if you need anything, let me know. We’re all worried about him.”

After hanging up, I stand in my living room for a moment, torn between respect for Nik’s space and the need to make sure he’s okay. In the end, concern wins out.

The winding mountain road to Nik’s house feels ominous in the darkness. As I pull up, the crunch of gravel under my tires seems deafening in the quiet night. A faint orange glow flickers from the side yard. I’m relieved to see a sign of life.

My heart pounds as I get out of the car and walk toward the house. As I round the corner, I spot Nik sitting by the fire pit and my jaw drops. He’s nearly unrecognizable. His long hair and beard are gone, leaving him with a short, rough cut and stubble that makes him look both younger and more rugged. Despite the change, he’s still so fucking handsome.

“Ada,” Nik says and rises to his feet. His surprise is evident in his deep voice and it sends that familiar flutters through my chest. Max stays next to Nik, but his tail wagging. “What are you doing here?”

“You weren’t answering my calls or texts. I was worried.”

He looks away and the firelight catches the sharp lines of his jaw. “I needed some time alone.”

“Time alone or time away from me?” I challenge him while taking a step closer. “Nik, you can’t just shut me out like this. We’re supposed to be partners.”

He runs a hand through his short hair, the gesture so familiar yet strange with his new look. “I’m not used to this. Someone caring.”

“Well, get used to it,” I say firmly, fighting the urge to reach out and touch him. “That’s what marriage is about. Or is that not what you want anymore?”

His head snaps up, eyes locking with mine. “What?”

I swallow hard before voicing my fears. “Now that the season’s over and Teta’s gone…do you want out? Is that why you’ve been so distant?”

“No, Ada, that’s not it.” He stands, closing the distance between us. I can smell the faint scent of whiskey on his breath, mingled with his black gold cologne. It reminds me of the night we met. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”

“Then talk to me,” I plead, finally giving in to the urge to touch him. I place my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating steadily under my palm. “What’s going on? Why the drastic change?” I gesture to his hair with my free hand.

Nik sighs and rubs a hand over his head. “I’m not a hockey player anymore. I needed to see who I am without all that.”

“You’re still you, Nik. Hair or no hair.” My fingers itch to run through his short strands and to trace the line of his newly exposed jaw.

He gives a half-smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “It’s not that simple.”

“What else is going on?” I press, not backing down.

He tenses under my touch. “It’s my dad. He’s in the hospital. Liver failure.”

My heart clenches. “Oh, shit. When did you find out?”

“The night we won the Cup.” His voice is rough with emotion.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask and cup his cheek.

He just shrugs.

“Do you not trust me?”

“Of course, I do. I’ve told you this before. ”

He did and I glance over at Max who is watching us calmly. “Then why not?”

“I’m not used to having someone to tell, Ada. Debbie and I didn’t talk about that stuff.”

“I’m not Debbie,” I say firmly, holding his gaze. “I want to know what’s going on with you, good or bad.”

He nods slowly, leaning almost imperceptibly into my touch. “My aunt wants me to come see him. I don’t want to.”

“Maybe you should,” I suggest gently. “For closure, if nothing else.”

Nik shakes his head, pulling away slightly. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“Okay,” I say, realizing I can’t push him on this. I trust his judgment on this issue. “But you don’t have to go through this alone.”

He looks at me, vulnerability clear in his eyes. “Ada, you should go home. I’m not good company right now.”

I cross my arms, a hint of sass in my voice. “Tough luck, Huxley. I’m not going anywhere.”

Before he can protest, I spot a hammock strung between two nearby trees. I walk over and settle into it, nearly flipping over at one point. Once I get in successfully, the hammock sways as it holds my weight. “You know, I’ve never been camping before.”

Nik looks bewildered, his brow furrowed in that way that always makes me want to smooth it with my thumb. “What are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable,” I reply and stretch out languidly. “If you want me to leave, you’ll have to carry me out.”

He stares at me for a long moment, his eyes roaming over my body in a way that makes heat pool in my belly. Finally, a reluctant smile tugs at his lips. He makes his way over and carefully joins me in the hammock, his solid warmth pressing against my side .

We lie there, looking up at the stars peeking through the canopy of trees. Max settles nearby, never taking his eyes off us.

After a while, Nik speaks softly, his lips close to my ear. “You make everything better, you know that?”

I turn my head to look at him, our faces mere inches apart. “You do too.”

A few content minutes pass by and then I ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not right now, is that okay?” he asks.

“Of course,” I answer.

“Come here,” he requests and pulls me onto him so that my head is resting in the crook of his shoulder and my leg pretzels with his. It’s so peaceful and I strangely feel so safe. We fall asleep under the night sky, our bodies intertwined.

When I wake up shivering in the early morning chill, with actual dew on my skin, Nik wordlessly scoops me up. I nestle into his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart as he carries me into the house, Max padding along behind us.

He tucks me into his bed. The sheets are cool against my skin. As he slides in beside me, his body heat immediately envelopes me.

“Nik,” I murmur and stroke the stubble on his face. He’s somehow more handsome than ever before.

His eyes meet mine and there’s a mixture of emotions swirling in their depths. Without saying anything, he leans down and kisses me. His stubble scratches against my skin in a way I really like. The kiss is full of unspoken words, of longing and love and a hint of desperation. It’s been too long.

As we break apart, breathless and flushed, Nik buries his face in the crook of my neck, his arms pulling me closer to him. “I’ve missed you, Ada,” he whispers, his voice rough with emotion.

“I’ve missed you too,” I reply, threading my fingers through his short hair. I miss it long, but I like it like this too. I go back for another kiss and he responds, but his kiss turns up the heat. Significantly.

He rolls on top of me and his weight presses me into the soft mattress. “I need you,” he murmurs.

“You have me,” I respond. And it’s true. I have given him every bit of myself. I want him to have me. I want him to keep me. Forever.

Our clothes come off quickly and within seconds he’s back between my legs and slipping inside me.

I reach for him, pulling his mouth back to mine as he moves. I moan softly against his lips, my body responding eagerly to him. I crave him. I need to feel him even closer.

His movements become more urgent, more desperate, as if trying to convey all his unspoken emotions through this physical connection. I cling to him, my nails digging into his back as we chase release together. And when it finally happens, we hold on to each other tightly, riding it out together.

As our breathing slows and our bodies relax into a state of blissful exhaustion, Nik presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, murmuring something I don’t make out. But I don’t ask for him to repeat it. I close my eyes, savoring this moment of closeness, feeling more connected to him than ever before.