Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
It was surreal seeing him like this. I knew he played hockey. We had talked about it endlessly when he got out of his therapy program and had been given his spot back on Harvard’s roster for this year. He had even sent me links to some of his old games when I had expressed my desire to see them. But now that I was here, feeling the cold from the ice hit my face was different from what I ever could have imagined.
I saw Cael searching the crowd. I knew when he had seen me, as he slowed right down as he passed me. He met my eyes and I smiled at him. He smiled back. He was so perfect.
A coach blew a whistle and Cael moved into position. I was the first to admit I had no idea what was happening in the scrimmage. I was trying to learn the rules, had spent too many nights this summer trying to read up on them. I’d get there eventually. For now, I just sat in awe watching Cael in his element. Even though I didn’t understand the game, anyone could tell that Cael was a step above the rest—he was faster and more dynamic, and he sank shot after shot into the net, looking as though he could go all night and never tire.
I was breathless as I watched him. None more so when he would laugh, smile, and celebrate with his teammates. He was happy here. And he had done it. He had healed. This boy on the ice was a far cry from the boy who I had last seen in Japan. If it was possible, seeing him like this made me love him even more. Like Aika had told him, he’d had the tenacity to fix himself back together, and he was even more beautiful than ever before.
As the scrimmage came to an end, the awed faces of the fans watching Cael cool down screamed to me just how talented he was and how, if he had never found himself back to this game, it would have been a travesty.
Cael came over to where I was seated. I stood and moved to the boards. “Baby …” I said, shaking my head, unable to put words to my feelings. Cael’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment under my praise. It was so adorable, I wanted to kiss him and never stop.
“Meet me outside the lockers?” he asked, and I nodded. As much as I had enjoyed seeing him scrimmage, I wanted to talk to him and spend hours back by his side.
“I’ll head back to the dorms,” Cara said. I nodded at her and followed the signs to the locker rooms. I stood outside in the hallway and waited for Cael to come out. Some other people were waiting, greeting different players as they left the locker room.
Cael walked out with the boy I now knew was Stephan. Cael’s searching eyes found me immediately. He rushed to where I stood and wrapped his arms around me. He crushed me to his chest, his damp hair from his shower sticking to my cheek. I laughed, and at the sound, Cael squeezed me just a bit tighter.
A throat cleared behind us. Cael released me, and Stephan stood there. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he reminded me of Rune. “This is the famous Savannah?” he asked, and I felt my cheeks blaze at his words. Stephan hit Cael’s chest. “I love the guy, but if I have to hear about you one more time, my head might just explode.”
“Dick,” Cael said but laughed at his friend.
Stephan winked at me. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Savannah.” Stephan hugged Cael. “I’ll see you back at the dorm.”
Cael threw his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “Come with me, Peaches. We have some catching up to do.”
* * *
Cael
I led Savannah out toward my car in the parking lot. I threw my bag in the Jeep, then held out my hand. Savannah took it without hesitation. “Walk with me?” I asked.
“Anywhere,” she said, smiling. Fuck. I couldn’t believe she was here with me. It felt like a dream. I’d focused on her for so long, all those long hard days at the retreat. Especially on the hardest days, when I didn’t think I could do it anymore, it was Savannah’s face and her phone calls that kept me strong.
When she shivered against the first chills of fall, I ran back and took a jacket out of the trunk of my car. It reminded me how she had struggled in the Lake District and Norway, my Georgia Peach needing her sun. I held it out, and Savannah laughed when she put it on and it drowned her petite frame.
I couldn’t imagine her looking more perfect than she did with my name on her back. We cut through campus in comfortable silence and made our way to a brightly lit park. We sat on a secluded bench, only a few dog walkers milling about the pathways nearby. I squeezed her hand, bringing her fingers to my mouth. I kissed her. I couldn’t stop.