Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)(113)

I smile right back at him. “Me too.”

He laces his hand with mine for the short drive.

I can tell he’s mulling something over in his mind, and he hesitates before finally asking, “Could you ever see yourself living in Boston again?”

I knew this conversation was going to happen at some point, so I’ve already been thinking over my answer to his question.

“One day, yes.”

He quickly looks in my direction, utterly surprised, before refocusing on the road.

“If that’s where you’re going to be, then one day, I’ll be there too,” I continue. “I’m not going to lie to you and say I’ll be ready to move before your next season starts. I’m just beginning my career here and I have a huge opportunity at this design firm. Plus, this is my first time living away from my dad since he got sick, so knowing I’m within driving distance is comforting. But I think eventually, yeah, I’d feel okay being farther away.”

I can see his wheels spinning as he nods.

“But we’re going to be fine either way,” I tack on. “After everything we’ve been through to make it back to this point, a bit of distance while you’re in season isn’t going to break us. You need to chase your dreams, like I’m chasing mine.”

His lips tilt into an understanding smile. “I just don’t want the idea of chasing my dreams to mean that I’m losing you again.”

“It doesn’t. I promise.”

He lifts my hand to his lips to leave a kiss there.

“Since you’re coming early with me,” he says, “there’s a room where all the players’ families hang out pre-game and again post-game. It’s right outside of our locker room. I’m going to take you there. All the other wives and girlfriends will be there, and Stevie will make sure to show you how it all works.”

That is not what I was expecting. I kind of thought I’d have a ticket with a seat number that I could sneak into while I waited for the game to start.

As if he can read my mind, Rio asks, “Does that make you feel nervous?”

“A little bit.”

His voice is soft. “Why does that make you feel nervous, Hal?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

I huff a small laugh because what’s the use in lying to this guy? He knows me too well.

“I think because for six years, I watched your life move into this new, impressive phase. You have all these new people around. I mean, you’re literally famous now.”

“Gross.”

“But you are, and sometimes I get nervous that because I’m part of your old life, I won’t fit into the new.”

He’s quiet for a long moment before he says, “But you’re not just a part of my life. You’re the center of it. So, if something isn’t fitting around us, that piece needs to change, not you.” He runs his thumb over my knuckle. “And yes, I’m in a different phase of my career than the last time we were together, but you’ve been with me since the beginning of all of this. So, if anyone should feel out of place, it certainly isn’t you.”

I squeeze his hand in mine.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve wished you were there, waiting for me after these games the way you used to. But I also don’t want you to feel uncomfortable about it.”

That hits me right in the heart, thinking of how many times he came out of the locker room post-game to find no one there for him.

I shake my head. “I’ll be there.”

Rio parks in the private lot behind the arena. He opens my door for me and immediately slips his fingers through mine as he leads me to the private entrance.

An older man in a black blazer opens the door for us as we approach. “Rio!” His face lights up. “Good to see you, man. How are we feeling?”

“Great. Excited to play tonight.” Rio puts his free hand in his. “Bruce, this is my girlfriend, Hallie. Hallie, this is Bruce. He’s worked here since the United Center was built and hasn’t missed a single game as long as I’ve been playing here.”

“That’s right,” Bruce says proudly.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I offer him a smile.

“You too. Rio has never brought someone with him to a game other than his mom when she’s in town, so I take it we’ll be seeing you again?”

“You’ll be seeing her a lot,” Rio adds for me.

“I like that.” Bruce smacks him on the shoulder. “Good luck tonight.”

We say our goodbyes before taking off down a hallway that’s lined with photos of previous Chicago teams. It only adds to the surreal nature of it all. To see him in his fitted suit, headed to the locker room, and finding him in six of these previous team photos along the wall.

He’s really doing what he always dreamed of.

“So,” I begin. “Girlfriend, huh?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think we should take a couple more decades to get to know each other before I start calling you that?”

“I just didn’t know I was, is all.”

“I assumed this was another one of our unspoken things.” He drapes an arm over my shoulders as we continue walking. “But in case it needs to be said out loud . . . Yes, Hallie Hart, you are my girlfriend. Though, you should know, there’s a good chance I’ll be changing both that title and that last name one day.”