That makes Haisley laugh. “That’s too funny.”
I smile, glad that I could lighten the mood a bit. “But he eventually got over it and just wants me to be happy. I think your dad will, too, once you find the guy worthy of your love.”
Haisley rolls her eyes again. “Easier said than done,” she says with a sigh. “I’ve dated plenty of guys, but none of them seem to be good enough for him.”
“Well, your dad has set the bar pretty high. He’s a successful businessman, a respected figure in the hockey world, and he’s also a great dad, from what I can tell.”
Haisley nods in agreement. “Yeah, he is all those things. But sometimes I wish he could see that I’m an adult and can make my own decisions.”
“I get it,” I say. “But you know what they say, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends.”
“And thank God for that,” Haisley says with a laugh. “I don’t know where I’d be without my friends, you included.”
30
MÄ RAKASTAN SUA, MURU
VIVIAN
The moment we get back to Em, the big screens play the best moments of Jasper’s career, accompanied by Darude’s “Sandstorm,” another thing I didn’t know was Finnish before meeting Jasper.
“What’s this?” I whisper to Haisley.
“They always do a little introduction whenever a new player joins the Peacocks team.”
I turn my attention back to the screen. There is one where Jasper holds the Stanley Cup, which makes the Woodpeckers fans cheer. The other one is him holding the Olympic Gold trophy, wearing the Finnish men’s national team jersey, while his fellow countrymen celebrate around him.
The celebration videos soon cut to a familiar face. It’s Jasper wearing his Peacocks jersey in front of a dark background.
“Hi everyone, it’s Jasper Åkerman—” He pauses like he knows that the people watching the video will make some noise after his simple introduction. And he isn’t wrong; the volume at the arena has risen since his introduction. “—Before my first game with the Peacocks tonight, I talked with Jeremy Lavigne. And there’s something I need to tell everyone tonight. You see, I owe you all an apology—my former team, my new team, the fans, the entire hockey community…and what hurts the most, my family. My behavior on the ice this season has been anything but professional. I’m sorry if I have let you down with my actions.”
Oh Jasper. I really want to hug him now.
“I also had a long conversation with my dad, Nils Åkerman, before I traveled back to New York. We also texted after my trade news. Anyway, he said I could share our family’s struggles publicly if it helps to talk about the challenging issues we’ve been facing lately.”
I gasp, putting my hand on my chest. Haisley takes hold of my other hand and squeezes it tightly. Em leans against my shoulder to show support as well.
“Last September, my dad was in a car accident that left him paralyzed on his right side.” The entire arena goes silent. “The rehab has helped, and he’s expected to make a recovery, but we don’t know about the final damage yet. But I have faith that the doctors treating him know what they are doing.
“Anyway, seeing my hockey hero, the man who taught me everything about this amazing sport, in a wheelchair, has been hard to process. I took that pain and anger and used it in unacceptable ways. It was especially easy to start fighting with Rasmus Westerholm as we have history and unfinished business.”
Tears are running down my face as I listen to his words. Jasper takes a deep breath and looks directly at the camera. “The reason why I’m telling all this now is that I want to make a change in my behavior on the ice. You see, I have met someone. Someone so perfect that I must imagine her. There’s no way I could have found someone like her when I needed it the most. She has been there through my transition from a Woodpecker to a Peacock, supporting me with whatever I need. And I want to keep her in my life because I can’t imagine loving anyone else as much as I love her. Mä rakastan sua, Muru,” he says ‘I love you’ in Finnish as he sends a flying kiss to the camera. I pretend to catch it.
“That being said, I wanted to start the new year and my new relationship with a clean slate to enjoy my time with my new partner and team. And let’s be honest, I was an idiot doing what I did to avoid feeling all the pain and disappointment last year,” Jasper sighs. “I hope you accept this apology because it’s time to play hockey…Go Peacocks!”
The arena erupts into deafening applause, giving Jasper a standing ovation while chanting his name. He gets on the ice, circling it gracefully while waving at the people in the stands. He comes to a stop in front of us and looks directly at me, making my breath hitch. Our eyes lock as he mouths the three words I have only been dreaming of hearing from his mouth before today.
“I love you."
My mouth forms, “I love you more," before my heart even has time to process what's happening. Jasper’s eyes light up and a wide smile spreads across his face after my words. Our gazes stay connected for what feels both like an eternity and only a nanosecond, but in this moment, nothing else matters but us. I can feel the love radiating in the air before he skates away and takes his place on the ice.
I turn to Haisley and Em, both visibly moved by Jasper’s speech.
“That was amazing,” I say, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand.
Haisley gives me a watery smile. “I can’t believe how much he was suffering, and no one knew.”
“Some people are good at hiding in plain sight. But now he has the support he needs.”
