"Ryan," my mom said, reaching out to grab my hand from where it rested on the sofa between us, "did you really think we expected you to stay in Neptune Bay?"

It was a bit later in the afternoon, and after Sloane and I's impromptu—and incredibly hot—moment on the lookout, we'd hiked back down the trail only to pass by another couple ten minutes later. They'd nodded to us in acknowledgement, and much to my amusement, I'd immediately noticed the pop of color on Sloane's cheeks following the short interaction.

Catching my grin, she'd rolled her eyes and nudged my side. "Shut up," she mumbled once the couple was out of earshot, and I let loose a bark of laughter.

Driving back into town, I dropped her off at her place with a quick kiss and a promise to fill her in later tonight about how my conversation with my parents went.

Which was where I'd headed directly after. And considering Bowen had been playing outside with Scout when I'd arrived, I'd rolled right into business. Asking them to sit in their living room with me, I felt like I'd spooked them, but once I'd come straight out and told them I was planning to head back to Boston for training camp, any perplexity in their features disappeared, replaced by understanding.

Glancing between them—my mom next to me and my dad on the recliner—I slowly began to feel my nerves deplete. "I don't know." I shrugged. "I wouldn't say I expected it, but I thought maybe you were hoping I'd stick around."

A soft smile pulled at my mother's lips. "Every parent hopes their kids decide to blossom in the same town they live in, but with you, your father and I never had that thought in our heads. Not ten years ago, and not now. We want you to be happy. To support you as you live out your dream. And while you could likely build a life here, you would be tossing away your own aspirations and goals regarding hockey to do so, which is something we don't want you to do."

"Your mother's right, son," my dad chimed in. "We're so proud to watch you on the ice year after year, doing what has always come naturally to you. Doing what you excel at. We never, not even for a second after everything that's happened, thought you'd be ready to give that up."

"Really?" I asked, swallowing down the emotion in my throat. They both nodded. "You're not mad?"

"Mad at what?" my mom asked. "Mad that you're going back to the job you've worked your whole life for next month? Mad that you've somehow taken every obstacle life's thrown your way these past couple of months and still figured out a way to stand on your own two feet?"

I rolled my eyes before raking my fingers through my hair. "I was thinking more along the lines of the fact I'd be taking Bowen to Boston with me."

"Well, now I can definitely admit that it'll be a change, after being right there, watching him grow up all these years," my mom replied, her eyes lining with tears as memories no doubt flooded her mind, "but he'll be with you. Liam and Thea knew what they were doing naming you as his guardian, because while you may not have thought so a month ago, you truly were the best person to fill those shoes. You love that boy with all your heart, and would do anything for him, as evidenced from the fact you were apparently considering retiring from the sport you love."

"But I'm not retiring, that's the thing," I countered. "He'll be coming to Boston with me, but I'll be on the road a lot and I'll be hiring someone full-time to help out with childcare."

"Nobody expects you to be a superhero," my dad said. "Of course you'll need help with Bowen, but that's not a failure. It's you making room in your life for him while making sure he's taken care of in the times you can't be there. And that's okay."

"Plus, it'll give your dad and I an excuse to visit you in the city more often," my mom said. "Boston's less than four hours from here. It's not like it's a plane ride away."

A laugh of relief left my lips, wondering how the hell I'd been blessed with two of the best parents in the world. "I love you guys," I said, wrapping my arms around my mom and grinning at my dad.

"We love you, too, honey," my mom replied, hugging me tightly. "And do let us know if you need any help with this plan. If you want me to help with interviewing for childcare or looking for schools in Boston for Bowen."

"And what about the house?" my dad asked. "Are you going to sell? If so, I can talk to some friends around here to see if they know anyone that's looking."

The house. Schools. Childcare. Next steps in this process that I knew I'd have to deal with, and just the thought of them was overwhelming and stressful, so I was immensely appreciative for the help.

I sighed, relaxing back into the sofa. "Thanks. I'll definitely take all the help I can get, though as of right now, I think I'm going to keep the house. Have it as a place for us to come on holidays and the off-season, you know?" I explained and my dad nodded. I glanced between the two of them. "But in terms of Bowen, I was hoping that you both would be willing to watch him for a week when I report in to training camp. I can spend my free time those days getting his room ready and everything, and then I'll come back over Labor Day weekend to pick him up."

"Of course," my mom said, patting my thigh. "Whatever you need."

Before I could utter yet another thanks, the three of us heard the back door swing open and a pattering of footfalls echoing through the house.

"Grandma, grandpa, guess what?" Bowen asked with excitement. He turned the corner into the living room and his eyes widened when he saw me sitting there; his elation appearing to dial up several notches. "Uncle Ryan, I didn't know you were here!"

"Oof," I said playfully as he rounded the sofa and jumped up onto my lap. "I got here a few minutes ago and was just chatting with your grandparents about something."

"About what?"

I was ready to tell him—to rip the band aid off and hope he understood the situation—though my dad stepped in to give me a few more seconds to compose my thoughts when he asked, "Why don't you tell us about what had you so excited when you ran inside?"

"Oh!" Bowen's eyes shone with amazement. "Scout and I were playing catch in the backyard, and when I threw the ball near the basketball net, he ended up grabbing it and then jumping up to put the ball in the net! How cool is that?"

The three of us chuckled in response, glancing over to where my dog now sat on the floor next to my feet after following Bowen into the house, looking immensely proud of himself. His tongue out and tail wagging.

"Wow, go Scout," I mused, reaching my hand out to scratch behind his ear.

"Now, what were you guys talking about?" Bowen asked, his curiosity quickly turning the conversation back around, and my parents looked to me to take it away.

"Well," I started, clearing my throat, "I was telling them that, come the end of the summer, I'll be going back to Boston to play hockey. And since I'm now responsible for taking care of you, you'd be coming to live with me." I paused, watching as his eyebrows drew together, not really knowing if he understood what I was saying. "What do you think about that?"

"We wouldn't be living in Neptune Bay?" he asked with a small lisp. "We'd be moving?"

I nodded cautiously. "That's right."

He turned to look at my parents with wide eyes. "Would you guys be coming with us?"

My mom shook her head slowly, offering him a sad smile. "We won't be. We'll be staying here, but you'll get to have all kinds of new adventures in the city with Ryan. Plus, you'll get to make a whole bunch of new friends when you start at a new school in the fall."

"But we'll be coming back for Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and summer holidays," I added. "Plus, I'm sure they'll want to come into the city some weekends to hang out with you."

"Definitely," my mom agreed, reaching over to tickle his tummy gently. "We'll make sure to visit plenty, and if you're missing us, we'll only be a phone call away."

The ghost of a smile began to appear on Bowen's lips, and I hoped that meant he was warming up to the idea.

"Okay." He nodded, as though thinking everything through. "Scout's coming though, right?"

My dog barked at the sound of his name.

"Of course he is," I replied, bouncing Bowen on my knees. "We couldn't leave your trusty sidekick behind."

"Can he stay in my room? Will I get my own room?" His eyes widened even further in excitement. "Can I decorate my room? I want a race car bed. And a bunch of fish painted on the wall. To remind me of the ocean."

I chuckled. "I think all that can be arranged."

He yelped with cheer. "And when you are playing hockey, can I come watch?"

"You sure can," I replied. "When I have home games, I'll make sure you have a special seat way up high in the arena so you can watch everything from above."

"That's so cool," he said with awe, before wrapping his arms around my neck. "Okay, I'll come to Boston," he mumbled into my neck. "But I'll miss it here."

"I know you will, buddy," I said, rubbing his back as I returned the hug. "I will, too."

"And Sloane?" he asked, pulling back with a frown. "Will she be staying here or coming with us?"

I felt a twinge in the left side of my chest at the unexpected question. "Unfortunately, her life is here. She's taking care of her dad and running her family's store, so she'll be sticking around here."

Bowen pouted, but also nodded his head like he expected my response.

Some part of me though—a large part, actually—wished the answer I had to give was different. But with her wanting to work things out regarding the store, and her career, on her own, I felt like I had no right adding to the situation by asking her to come with us. After all, we'd only been together a month. Not even. That would be crazy.

Completely and utterly crazy.

a note you all may not expect BUT was inevitable... after I finished my nano goal in July, I have barely written a thing (maybe 1,000 words?) since. That means, after the next update, while I love updating every week, it just might not be possible. I'm going to try to kick myself into gear and crank out the last 7-8 chapters to wrap this story up, but just wanted to give you all fair warning in case updates start becoming once every two weeks (or even more sporadic) instead of every week 🤷🏻‍♀️

thank you all for the continued support in this story (and the rest of the Boston Knights books) and I can't wait to wrap everything for you!