Icebound (Boundless Players, #1)

by Meredith Trapp

The weight of my decision to retire from the NHL finally sinks in, but it’s not dragging me down anymore. The memories of all those years on the ice flood my mind.

I knock on the bathroom door. “Nina, you in there?” “Are you expecting some other woman to be in your shower?” she calls out. “Because if that’s the case, we’re about to have a big fight, so I’d put on your helmet.”

“That’s what I thought I wanted.” “What do you mean?” “This isn’t my dream anymore, Nina. It’s not what I want. My body’s falling apart, and I’m exhausted. I don’t want to be chasing around my kids in my forties with knee braces. Hell, I don’t even think I want kids right now. I want more time to figure out my next move. You’re the one who showed me that.”

“Okay, I promise I won’t retire for you.” I’ll do it for me.

“No, I’m not drinking that. We’re not opening that bottle, you know why? ‘Cause we promised each other that we’d only open the Hibiki Anniversary Edition if one of us were leaving or retiring from the League, and no one’s leaving, so put the Japanese whiskey away.”

“Rhode…” I tangle my hands in his hair. “What about a family? What about everything you want? I don’t want to hold you back.” “You’re not holding me back. You’re setting me free.” His fingers tighten around my waist. “I only want those things if I get to have them with you. If it means waiting, then I will.”