#bedard

nate holds the socks and tape while i hold the bigger things, walking over to look at the skates. i hum, wondering what size i should get him. i look down at his little feet, then back at the sizes of the skates. my brows furrow as i set down my things, pulling a box off the shelf and telling connor to sit on the little bench.

i slip off his crocs and open the box, mumbling to myself as i slip them on his feet. "how do these feel? too tight? too big?" i ask with a smile.

he kicks his feet a little, giving his toes a little wiggle. "good mommy!" he beams, his eyes full of happiness.

i giggle at his excitement, putting on the other skate. "still good?"

"yes ma'am!" he says and i can't help but smile at his manners.

"those look good, little man." a voice says from behind me, making me jump a little. "sorry, didn't mean to scare you." he laughs awkwardly.

"it's alright." i smile up at him. he's cute, a wide smile and fluffy hair hidden under a hat.

"first time buying hockey gear?" the mystery man asks, and i nod sheepishly.

"can you tell?" i laugh along with him. "i tried to google what to buy him, but it's all so much. i don't even know if i'm buying the right things..." i frown, looking at all the things littering the floor.

the man nods, his lips pursed. "i can help you if you want. i've been playing hockey for a while now so..." he rubs the back of his neck, watching as i put the skates back in the box.

"oh i don't want to be a bother..."

"no bother, i'm happy to help." he beams, then looking down at my son. "what's your name buddy?"

"nate!" he grins, his voice happy and loud from his excitement.

"oh really? my friends name is nate too!" the man says, bending down to look at all the stuff i've picked out. i can see my sons face light up as i watch them interact. "so...these skates are normally for goalies, so he'll need these..." he stands, walking down the aisle and coming back with a new box.

it's the same brand and size, but i watch as he helps nate try on the different pair of skates. i smile as nate seems to get even more excited, barely able to sit still. "alright, these are the ones you'll need." connor says, looking up at me. "the rest of the stuff you got is just right."

i thank him as he stands, a smile on my face. "thank you, i really appreciate the help. i was nervous about him playing, but now i'm actually...starting to get a little excited." i laugh.

he laughs along with me, standing beside me as we watch my son run up and down the aisle in his skates. "he's cute, like his mom." he grins, acting casual.

my head snaps towards him, a deep blush creeping over my face.

"you guys should come to my game sometime, i'll get you both tickets. do you need one for dad too?" he asks, pulling out his phone.

"oh no, his dad...isn't around. and, what do you mean come to your game?" i ask, crossing my arms as my brows furrow.

"you don't know who i am...?" he asks, a small smirk on his face. i can tell he's not cocky, genuinely curious.

"no...?"

he laughs at my answer, pressing on a few things on his phone. a team photo of a bunch of guys in white jerseys pop up, then he zooms in. "that's me." he points, beaming.

"oh, okay...?" i say, squinting at the photo. "sorry but, i still don't recognize you."

he puts his phone in his back pocket, "it's okay, i play for the blackhawks in the nhl." he says, crossing his arms.

"nhl? isn't that like, the best it gets?" i say, my jaw dropping a bit in shock.

he laughs, bending down to help take off nate's skates. "yeah, just about."

i can't help but be shocked, my face full of surprise and confusion. i'm still trying to wrap my mind around it, spacing out as i stare at the skates.

"hello?" his voice snaps me out of my daze, a little smirk on his lips. "i asked if you needed me to help you take this to the counter?"

"oh! that would be great. but, i can't help but ask. can i take a photo of you two? once he figures out that he's met you before he'll probably be upset i didn't get a picture." i laugh awkwardly, hoping he won't be mad.

he grins, standing up. "of course!" i smile wide at his acceptance, sitting nate up so the photo is good. i snap a quick picture, looking at it through the screen on my phone. "also, do you maybe think i can get your number?" he asks.

his words catch me off guard, his bluntness making my eyes widen. "oh...sure." my face flushes red as i hand him my phone, watching him type in his number. he hands me back my phone and i pocket it, helping him carry everything to the counter.

i sigh as the cashier rings everything up, the price increasing more and more. i know it'll be worth it, especially if nate is happy. just as i'm pulling out my card, the haul of gear is already paid for. i look over at connor in surprise, who's smiling as he puts his wallet back in his pocket.

"wait wait wait, you didn't have to do that!" i panic, looking at the expensive gear that's getting bagged. "i have enough money for it, i could've paid!"

"don't worry about it, really." he reassures me, "i love seeing kids like nate pursuing their dreams. text me his schedule, i'd love to come watch him."

i'm shocked by his kindness, my heart swelling with affection for this man i just met. "i will, thank you so much...nate, what do you say to mr. connor?" i say, pulling my son beside me.

"thanks you mr. connor!" he grins, his eyes gleaming with joy and love. before i can stop him, my son is attached to his leg, looking up at him. nate smiles at him, arms wrapped around his leg.

connor laughs, reaching down to pull him up into his arms. "you're welcome, buddy. i'll see you at some of your games, okay?"

"kay!" nate smiles, taking the lollipop the cashier gave him with a thank you.

connor helps us take the bags to my car, him and nate making small talk. i can admit he's good with nate, my heart pumping violently at the sight. nate's not even this close with his own father, and he just met this guy.

-

connor keeps up his word as the season goes on, taking us out to either dinner or ice cream after games. he's good with nate, and i can admit that i've taken quite the liking to him as well. he's sweet, cute with a heart of gold.

we finally called it official and hard launched our relationship a few months later, with both of us posting a picture of all three of us at nate's game, matching shirts for me and connor, and nate in his teams cyan jersey. it's a cute photo, instantly made my wallpaper on my phone.