Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“Tomorrow. We have our first class with him,” Easton proclaimed, determination etched on his face.
After our first class the next morning, Easton wasted no time, moving swiftly to exit the classroom before anyone else. I followed closely behind, my heart racing with anticipation. He clamped a hand down on Julian’s shoulder, steering him across the wide hallway.
“Wondered how long it would take you to show up for me,” Julian said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
Easton shoved him through the empty lecture hall doorway. “Your f*****g brother?”
“Asshole left after the parade. Via text, he told my parents he needed to get back. Probably didn’t want to explain the bruised jaw I gave him,” Julian replied, his jaw ticking angrily.
“Your mother helped cover up an attempted murder,” Becker accused coldly, his tone unforgiving.
Julian’s face hardened. “Yes, she did. And I would bet she buried her f*****g high-society head in the sand after she got the first two photos of her precious son with two different girls. She’s mine. I’ve listened to nothing but his praises for years while she knew he was a f*****g scumbag.” His expression shifted, remorse flooding his features. “I am sorry for what I did to Luci. For…for the things I said to her. I believed him. He’s still milking the sympathy for losing Brooklyn tragically with everyone. I thought Luci was a terrible person. Turns out I was the dumbass.”
“You’re going to help us. And if she never forgives you, that’s your misfortune. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and it didn’t take me long to figure that out once I spent an hour with her,” Easton admitted, his tone serious. I felt a swell of pride for Luci; she truly deserved all the love and support we could give her.
“She must be for you to say that. I’m assuming-no more like praying-you are not stopping at my asshole brother. You tell me what to do, and I’m there,” Julian said sincerely, his eyes filled with determination.
“Give us your number,” I said before we left, feeling a sense of urgency in the air.
**Baker**
Cole’s cheerful voice filled the room as he and Luci entered through the front door. In just two short months, she had made a remarkable difference in him. They approached me, and I set down his snack plate, knowing they were planning to go Christmas shopping that afternoon.
“Hi, Baker,” Luci greeted me with a warm smile.
“I have what you asked for in the playroom if you’d like to go take care of that. I can watch him,” I offered, knowing she needed my help for one of Easton’s gifts.
Her eyes lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Baker. Should only take me about ten minutes.”
“Take your time,” I replied, watching her walk away before I turned my attention to Cole.
“Excited to go shopping?” I asked, noticing the way his face beamed with joy, his mouth full of cheese and crackers.
He nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm infectious. “Will you see Santa again?” I inquired, curious about his holiday spirit.
“I gave him my list. Don’t need to,” he replied confidently.
Leaning in conspiratorially, I lowered my voice. “You know Santa is a good friend of mine.” It was true; my father had started playing Santa a few years back, and he loved it. He was quite familiar with Cole, and when he called me last week with Cole’s wish, I knew I’d need to have a word with him.
Watching Cole’s attempts to bring Luci and Easton together was genuinely delightful. I kept my distance, knowing Easton was already doing his best to catch her attention. He had changed too-happier and lighter in so many ways.
“He is?” Cole asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Yep. And he said you have a really big wish. One that he might not be able to deliver by Christmas,” I cautioned gently, wanting to manage his expectations. Jason was wary of Luci, though I was doing my best to change that. He had his own issues with his wife, and honestly, I’d like to ask Santa to deal with her and bring back the old Imogen.
Cole looked around cautiously before leaning in closer. “Do you think Luci would be my mom?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I don’t know, Cole. She loves you a lot. I think she could definitely be your Luci for always,” I reassured him, feeling a pang of hope. I had no doubt that Lorelei Winters would eventually return, and I worried about the havoc she might wreak on poor Cole.
“Daddy kissed her, Baker,” he confided, a smile lighting up his face.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Then let’s make a plan to help Daddy.”
“Honestly, you should really push Jason for a private plane. Flying commercial is just so… beneath us,” Vivienne sighed, her voice dripping with ennui as we lounged in the airport terminal, waiting for our flight. I had joined her in Los Angeles for the premiere of her latest film, a glamorous event that was supposed to last merely a week but had stretched into ten days of sun and celebrity. I didn’t mind, though. It was a liberating escape from the confines of home, especially with my husband around. He had no upcoming travels, and his presence felt suffocating, like a heavy blanket on a hot summer day.
“Imogen, are you even listening?” Her voice sliced through my thoughts, sharp and demanding.
“Jason doesn’t want the liability or the expense right now. He mentioned he might get one for the hockey team, though,” I replied, rolling my eyes at the thought. My husband’s dream of owning an NHL team was finally materializing, yet the very idea churned my stomach. There was a time I would have cheered him on, been his biggest supporter; but that was before he shattered everything we had built together.
“See? I told you he doesn’t value you enough. You should tell him that if he truly loved you, he’d find a way to make it happen. But we both know how he’d respond to that,” she said, arching a perfectly manicured eyebrow. Vivienne was ageless, a striking thirty-five with hair like spun gold, styled to perfection, her makeup flawlessly enhancing her sharp blue eyes. I glanced at myself, feeling the weight of my years reflected in the lines on my face. Perhaps I should adopt her skincare routine; she appeared to have five fewer years of wear and tear than I did.
“He wants us to try marriage counseling. I don’t even understand why,” I confessed, my gaze drifting to the bustling runways outside. The idea had hit me like a brick the morning of my departure. He had also insisted I cut ties with Vivienne, which was simply not going to happen. She had been my rock for a decade, the one person I could always rely on.
“Appearances, Imogen. He’s worried about how a divorce settlement could impact him. He needs to ensure you don’t run off with his money. Starting this team means he has to polish his image,” she explained, her tone matter-of-fact. “Now, have you managed to convince Easton to let us take Cole out for a day? Or at least half a day, unless that little nanny of yours tags along. I’m just not cut out for young children. I connect better with them once they reach that glorious age of independence.”
“No, he’s not budging on that, Vivienne. Plus, he knows you weren’t keen on Lorelei having Cole in the first place,” I reminded her, my thoughts wandering to my eldest son. He was as stubborn as they come, and ever since our argument about Cole and Vivienne, he had been avoiding me, speaking only a handful of words in my direction. It hurt. He didn’t grasp that I wanted to protect him from the pain I had endured, and I simply wanted to help my oldest, dearest friend. Vivienne wouldn’t harm Cole; she just believed Lorelei was too young to have a baby at that time.
“Then we have to do something about that. You hold the power to make the decision for him,” she urged, her eyes sparkling with determination.
“I hesitate to wield that power, Vivienne. Do you genuinely need Cole for your media boost?” I challenged, meeting her gaze.
“Yes! I’m older, and I’ve been in international films more than I can count in the last five years. The sweet kid story is all the rage right now. My agent insists that once we do this, it will open a floodgate of opportunities from the studios. A private plane for the tour, a second film contract… the possibilities are endless. And it will align with our future plans,” she said, her excitement bubbling over. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with a brilliant idea. “What if we swing by the house for dinner, and I get to meet him? If he asks to spend a day with his Vivi, Easton won’t have any choice but to agree. I can convince him that I genuinely want a relationship with Cole. People change and grow.”
“I don’t know…” I hesitated, recalling how furious Easton had been at the mere thought of her being around him.