Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

54. Oakley

54

OAKLEY

A s I settle into my seat, sandwiched between Theo and Reid on this bustling commercial flight back to New York, I take a deep breath and clench my fists. “I need to face my fear of flying,” I say, my voice determined but shaky. “And doing it in a normal plane like everyone else is the best way. No fancy private jets or plane sex.”

“Are you sure about this?” Reid asks, his eyes filled with concern.

“Positive,” I reply, but my mind races back to that fateful day when everything changed.

It’s been years since the accident, but the pain still lingers like an open wound. I remember the heart-wrenching phone call, the disbelief, and the overwhelming grief as I learned my mother was gone—a casualty of the skies. The days turned into months and years, but the weight of her absence still sits heavily in my chest.

“Oakley.” Theo’s gentle voice pulls me from my memories. He looks at me with understanding, as if he can see the storm raging inside me.

“I know it’s irrational,” I admit, wiping away a stray tear. “But every time I think about stepping onto a plane, I can’t help but imagine the terror my mom must have felt during those final moments. And I…” My voice breaks, and I swallow hard before continuing. “I don’t want anyone I care about to experience that kind of pain.”

Theo reaches out and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, while Reid places a comforting arm around my shoulders. Their warmth and support anchor me, reminding me that I’m not alone in this journey. Despite the gnawing fear in the pit of my stomach, I find solace in their unwavering presence.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as the plane’s engines roar to life. Theo and Reid, sitting on either side of me, exchange concerned glances, their hands hovering close to mine—ready to offer support.

“Talk to us, Oakley,” Theo says softly, his blue eyes searching my face for any hint of what’s going on inside my head. “You know we’re here for you.”

My voice comes out in a shaky whisper. “It’s just…I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen. Like I’m tempting fate by flying again, and so many times in the last few weeks!”

Theo’s expression softens, and he reaches out to gently hold my hand. “Oakley, I understand why you’re scared. But you can’t let fear dictate your life. We won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with us.”

Reid nods, placing his other hand over ours. “We’ve got you, Oakley. Always.”

As the plane begins its ascent, I close my eyes and focus on the warmth of their hands around mine. The familiar sensation of rising into the air sends a shiver down my spine, but it’s quickly replaced by a surprising calmness. Maybe it’s their reassuring presence or the simple act of facing my fear head-on, but I feel a flicker of hope that I can overcome this.

“See?” Theo murmurs, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. “You’re doing great. Just breathe.”

I open my eyes and smile at him, my heart swelling with gratitude.

I eventually settle into my seat, breathing deeply. This really isn’t so bad. Maybe all my recent flights with the Archer brothers have really helped. I find myself staring out the window, lost in thought.

“Hey,” Theo says softly, his fingers brushing against my arm. “You okay?”

I turn to look at him, forcing a smile. “Yeah, just…thinking.”

“About?” he prompts, his blue eyes searching mine.

“About Iris,” I admit, my voice wavering slightly. “And about how I betrayed her trust by lying and falling for you instead of letting things play out between you and Avery.”

Theo’s expression softens, and he reaches over to take my hand in his. “Iris is a big girl, Oakley. She’ll come to terms with it eventually.”

“Maybe,” I sigh, unconvinced. “But I still feel horrible about it. I need to make it right, not just with Iris, but with Avery too.”

“Oakley,” Theo says, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on the back of my hand. “We didn’t plan for this to happen. None of us did. But you can’t change the past. All you can do is try to make amends and move forward.”

His words ring true, but the weight of guilt still sits heavy on my chest like an unwanted passenger. I know Theo is trying to comfort me, but the fact remains—I hurt two people I care about deeply, and no amount of reassurance will change that.

“Good. So let’s come up with a plan to make things right,” Reid suggests, his green eyes radiating determination.

“Thanks, Reid,” I say, my heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support. “Any ideas?”

He leans back in his seat, tapping a finger against his chin thoughtfully. “Luckily for you, I always have ideas.”