Jack

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Maddie

So what my father said was true and the league was looking into letting the organizations decide who could be romantically involved with players and who couldn't. I didn't know how I felt. I liked having Jack home, with me, every night. I liked it a lot, but I also knew he was a hockey player and that's where he should be.

I was also a woman who knew that things were trickier out on the road, and sometimes shit just happened, and I trusted Jack, but he was home with me now, and everything was so perfect, I didn't want it to change.

I was selfish. I was so selfish it wasn't funny. I was being selfish even as the Blizzard were in a tailspin spiraling toward the abyss. My brother hadn't scored a point since Jack left and the rest of the team wasn't any better. They needed Jack, but so did I.

I was so confused. I knew what I wanted and I also knew what was right, but what was the answer. Jack was happy either way, so he was no help. Ugh why did this have to be this hard?

I saw Miss Alvord's little performance on television, but was it real, or was it a stunt? I didn't trust her, but the benefit for Haley's family was a good idea, so I would concede that, but I still didn't trust her.

I was warring with myself so much I didn't hear Jack come in. I did feel it though when he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. "Careful," I said. "Someone might come in."

"Then they can turn around and leave because I am not selling tickets." I giggled at him.

"I see that proposal that my dad talked about is in front of the league office in Toronto. What do you think will happen?"

"Don't know, not going to worry about it." He said kissing my neck.

"Jack, would you play again if the league would let you?"

"If I could play and have you, then yes. I would never play again though if I couldn't have you at the same time. I'm never giving you up Maddie."

"You always say the right things." I said letting him nuzzle my neck. Then, just like always, my phone beeped. The message was clear, "turn on the television to the Hockey Network Channel."

I did. Jack never stopped nuzzling my neck and I let him. The image on the screen was not what I was expecting, it was Mr. Green. I turned up the volume and we listened.

"For every fan that buys a We Are Buffalo shirt and signs up for the Haley Mills Run, they will get a free ticket to Friday night's game. At the game I will have a special announcement to make, so please, buy the shirt and sign up for the run. All of us in Buffalo need to support each other, so let's start with this."

Then he was gone and the two announcers were discussing what his announcement would be and if it was hockey related. Jack, being Jack, never stopped nuzzling my neck. "Down boy," I said giggling.

"Did you just order me like a dog?" He asked mock offended.

"Yeah Odie, now be a good boy now." I said with a finger waving at him.

Uh oh, he got that smile. That was the smile that meant run, and run fast. I didn't get far before he had me tied up in his arms. He was being um naughty when both our phones beeped.

We both stopped and grabbed our phones and the message was simple "My office nine AM."

"Well, I guess we are in trouble." I said looking around for a camera.