Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
He has a mischievous-looking smile on his face, like he knew this would be my reaction, waited for it, and by the way he’s smiling, he loves it.
I stare at him for another second, trying to find the words I want to use, but I’m speechless. Nothing comes out at first. I just stare.
“Not what you expected, right?” His voice is teasing, and it makes me close my lips before a laugh comes bubbling out.
“No. Not at all.” I turn to look back at the little kids. They appear to be around four or five years old, if I had to make a guess. “Why are they called the Pipsqueaks?” I ask, my voice low.
My brain screams it’s a coincidence, yet my heart says there are no coincidences. That the name has to do with me.
Aiden moves closer to me, and when he’s standing right beside me, he places his hand on my face.
I lean in closer, loving the way he touches me. The way he can always calm my racing heart.
“I thought it would be obvious. For you,” he answers, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies instantly takes flight in my belly.
I knew it. I just needed him to say it. To make this all real. To prove that I’m not lost in a dream.
“I sponsor the team. I actually sponsor the whole rink, teams, and all. All of the kids here wouldn’t be able to afford the lessons, gear, etc.…”
“You do all of that?” I say, voice full of awe.
“I do.”
I take a deep breath, processing everything that Aiden has done in the years since we’ve been separated. Just how much of me he’s integrated into his life.
It’s endearing. Heartwarming.
It makes all those doubts and feelings of betrayal feel so ridiculous. While he might not have come back, he never forgot, and that means everything to me.
“How old are the players?” I ask, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.
“This group is my five-year-olds, but I help kids all the way through high school.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I quickly turn away from Aiden so he doesn’t see.
He’s helping kids like him. Kids who don’t have an outlet, and he’s giving it to them.
“I’m giving them a chance. The same chance you gave me,” he says.
My vision goes spotty again, the unshed tears threatening to fall.
“How did I not know that?” I whisper more to myself than to him. With all the time we’ve spent together, I should have seen something. Some papers.
But this whole thing comes as a huge shock to me. I feel like I’ve been sitting in the dark, and the light just turned on.
“For the same reason people don’t know anything about me, I’m a private person.”
I nod, turning back to face him. “Yeah, I know that, but wouldn’t I have known since I work for you?”
“I don’t announce my involvement. Sure, I volunteer in the off-season to help them learn to be better players, but I don’t take credit for funding it.”
“Why not? It’s amazing what you’re doing.”
“I don’t do this for the accolades. I do it for them. For these kids, who by no fault of their own would never be able to play hockey without help.”
I blink, taking in a deep breath. He doesn’t want to draw attention to their situations.
“I understand. It’s the same reason I want to be a social worker.”
He nods in confirmation and understanding. “To help the kids like us.”
“It’s amazing, Aiden.” I look around. “Truly.”
His lips part into an earth-shattering smile.
“Come on, let’s go meet the team named after you.”
It’s my turn to smile wide.
His hand reaches out and takes mine, and then he leads us down to where the ice meets the concrete.
“Hey, Slate!” A small group of boys scream as they skate closer to where we are. “You playing with us today?”
“No, bud. Can’t do today.” One of the little boys pouts at his words. “But I have someone I want you all to meet. This is Cassidy. My girlfriend.”
I think my heart explodes with the reference. In the past, when he’s referred to me as such, it’s always left a bad taste in my mouth. The lies made me feel like I was choking on it.
But now, in the fresh light of the day, and the fact that he now knows I’m Pip, I feel elated at the moniker. Today, it feels like anything is possible. Like this isn’t some sham. He chooses me. Cassidy.
“And what’s your name?”
“I’m Sam,” the little boy responds, holding up his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sam.”
One by one, each child comes over and introduces themselves to me, and then when there are no kids left, Aiden orders them to do drills.
I can’t help but laugh when he does. He’s such a natural coach. Yes, he’s controlling, but his voice is so filled with love and serenity that the kids thrive under his guidance.