I Never Told You {Reilly Smith}

Boston

When our plane landed in Boston, Sawyer was fast asleep. I gently picked him up out of the seat and stood to get the luggage.

Apparently, a young man in a suit noticed me struggling.

"Need help?" he asked, a grin on his face.

"Please," I replied with a small laugh, getting out of the way while he pulled my luggage out of the overhead.

"There you go," he said. I gave him a thankful smile.

"Thanks," I said, looking to Sawyer, his head resting on my shoulder. I smiled and looked back up at the guy.

"I'm Carl," he said.

"Katie," I replied. "And this is my son, Sawyer."

"Nice to meet you," he said. He smiled at my sleeping son. "Are you here to visit family?"

"I guess you could say that," I answered, thinking of Reilly. I knew I had to tell him. I couldn't just keep it from him that he was a dad. "How about you?"

"Business," he replied.

"What kind of business?" I asked.

"Well, I'm a hockey player," he said. "I play for the Leafs. I tore up my shoulder and they decided to fly me down here last minute for the game against the Bruins."

"Carl Gunnarsson," I said. He looked shocked for a moment.

"You know your hockey, eh?" he asked with a grin. I shrugged.

"I'm here to see one of your rivals in fact."

"Which one? I have many," he joked.

"Reilly Smith," I replied. He thought for a moment.

"That kid'a got some major talent," he said. Finally, the line of people started to move forward off the plane.

"I'm glad he got such an opportunity with Boston. He thrives here," I told him.

"He's one of those players you hate on the other team, but would love to have on yours," he said with a nod.

"I think anyone would be lucky to have Reilly," I replied. I wasn't just talking hockey anymore. It was true. Anyone would be lucky to have such a great person like him.

********

Eventually, I made it off the plane and Carl gave me his number and told me to hit him up back in Toronto, where I lived. I had hastily agreed, too excited to see Reilly. I had missed him a crap ton.

I saw a guy in a striped shirt, Red Sox hat, and jeans leaning on the wall near the rental car stand. I knew just by looking at the way the guy was standing to know it was Reilly.

I nudged Sawyer.

"Who's that?" I asked, pointing to Reilly. Reilly grinned, and so did Sawyer.

"That's Weilly!!" he squealed. I put him on the floor and followed him and he clumsily ran towards Reilly.

"Hey, big guy," Reilly said, stooping down to pick Sawyer up. "How's it going?" I forgot how hot Reilly's voice was.

"Gweat!" Sawyer laughed. He reached for Reilly's hat and Reilly put it on Sawyer's head before setting him down. He flashed me a smile before pulling me into a tight hug.

"How's it going?" I asked into his ear.

"Better now," he whispered back, giving me a squeeze.

A wave of guilt hit me as Reilly let me go and bent down to talk to Sawyer. I had to tell him. Soon.