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“Hard to miss you, babe. You were the only one wearing an Elmwood jersey in the Heston student section. Ballsy move. Red looks great on you.” I swipe my tongue across my lower lip. “Bet you’d look even better in blue and green.”
“You know what? I dare you to try.” She lifts her brows. “I’ll never say yes to a hockey player.” My head jerks in surprise. First she rejects me, then she throws down the gauntlet? Another slow smile tugs at my lips. “Challenge accepted.”
“Crisis averted. It would be so awkward if my girl didn’t cheer for me when I get signed to my dream team.” I lift my brows and give an amused scoff. “Keep dreaming, hotshot. I’m not your girl.” “Yet.” He winks.
His expression softens, eyes hooding as his stare flits across my face. “See? Damn, girl. Your smile is beautiful.” I’m smiling? I touch my lips. Oh. Yeah, I guess I am.
He licks his lower lip. “Wish me luck?” I tilt my head. “Do you need it?” “From you, gorgeous? Yes.” He steps into me, nearly brushing against me. It traps the warmth of the coffees I’m holding between us. “Say it, baby.” My lashes flutter and my lips part on a shaky exhale. A gust of wind slices through the square and he rubs my arm, blocking me from the brunt of the cold air with his tall frame. “Good luck,” I finally murmur. The broad grin he gives me forms gradually until the corners of his eyes crinkle with pleasure. He holds a hand over his chest as if he’s captured my words and tucked
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“I’m getting used to watching you walk away from me. It has its benefits, don’t get me wrong.” Easton scrapes his teeth over his lip as he checks me out. “But one of these days, you won’t walk away.” A laugh catches in my throat. “Bye, Easton.” “Bye, baby. Hate to see you leave—” He gives a low, rumbling hum when I turn around and start walking. “—love to watch you go.”
“Hi.” The corners of my eyes crinkle. “You said that already.” “Right. Shit.” He clears his throat, attention sweeping over me appreciatively. “I’m glad I ran into you. Any day I see you becomes a good one.
“We’ll play another game against Elmwood before the end of the season. Things will go differently then.” He smirks, unaffected by my heckling. “Will you wish me luck again?” “Do you need it?” I repeat the same words, though this time they don’t sound jokingly skeptical. He dips his head, bringing his face almost near enough to kiss me. “Maybe not, but I want it. That’s what matters.”
Easton heaves a sigh, broad shoulders sagging and the corners of his mouth turning down. Oh god, his sad puppy eyes will be the death of me.
“We’re okay. Thank you. Stay and have fun.” The corners of his mouth tip up and he releases a soft chuckle. “Nah. No point.” “Why?” “Because you’re not there.”
“There’s a party at our place next weekend.” I hum. “Have fun with that.” He angles his head to look at me with a soft smile. “I will if you’re there. What do you say?” “I mean…” “Say yes.” He hits me with that damn puppy look, smoldering gaze piercing through me. Biting my lip, I mull it over. “Okay.” His face splits with a heart-stopping smile. “Yeah?” “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes.” He whoops, drumming a victory beat on the gate. He wraps his arms around my waist and swings me around. I choke back a scream so I don’t startle the goats, laughing at his antics.
“God. I just cried all over you. I’m sorry.” She shifts away with a sniffle, flipping down the visor to wipe her puffy eyes. “I’m a mess, huh?” You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, even with snot dripping from your nose.
Easton: Are you walking alone? In the dark? Maya: Yeah, I always do. I take protection. She sends a photo of the metal cat ear-shaped self-defense. I pinch the bridge of my nose for a moment, then scrub at my face. Yeah, no. I think the fuck not. Easton: Tell me where you are. I’m coming with you.
The protectiveness I feel over her slams into me as hard as a player checking me at full speed.
“Do me a favor?” “Sure.” “No matter what time it is, tell me when you feel like going for a walk from now on. I’ll go with you so you never have to walk alone.”
I shake my head. “I don’t like the idea of you out late at night by yourself.” “What if I need to go for a walk in the middle of the night?” Her chin lifts. “I’m there.” She slides her lips together. “The night before a game? You need to be well rested to play.” I squeeze her shoulders. “I’m there, Maya. Anytime you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Oh, shit. It’s after midnight.” I chuckle. “Are you cold?” She peers up through her lashes. “I’m okay. Do you have to get back?” “We’re not going back until you’re ready. I’ll walk around with you all night if it’s what you need.” She smiles. “I’m okay now. I’ve been good for a while, actually.” Pride stirs in my chest.
“I don’t want to see you wear another guy’s stuff, Maya. Not even my teammates’ clothes. Come with me.”
“Is this how you get all the girls to your room?” His big hand squeezes the back of my thigh, holding me steady. “No. Just you.” “So this is our thing?” Another squeeze of my thigh. “It could be if you were my girl. But you’re not mine.” “Yet,” I tease when we reach the top of the staircase. “Yet,” he echoes, the smile evident in his voice as his thumb rubs absent circles that send tingles up my thigh.
I don’t want a text. I want to hear her voice. No, I want to see her. Hitting the FaceTime button, I wait to see if she’ll pick up, rubbing my chin absently. The call connects and Maya fills my screen. Everything I mean to say flies out of my head at the sight of her.
“You slept in my shirt?” Maya’s mouth pops open, the realization of what she implied dawning on her face. “Yes.” She lifts her chin. “I like a big shirt to sleep in.” Immediately, I’m picturing her sleepy and languid in my bed, wearing nothing but that shirt skimming her bare thighs. Fuck, that’s a nice thought.
“You treat my girl right, you hear?” I sit up straighter, fixing my hair so it lays flatter, but it’s hopeless. “Of course, sir.” “Good.” He pats her leg. “She deserves the world. Take her horseback riding, she’s always liked that. Loves animals. And so good with them, too. You remember when you would get dropped off to visit me, chicken? You’d take my hand and wanted to see all the livestock.” I nod, attention drifting to her bright red face. “She deserves everything. I won’t give her anything less.” “You keep her happy.” He tips his head down to level me with a serious expression.
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“Fuck. You make me crazy. Promise me this?” He takes my chin between his thumb and finger, eyes darkened with desire when they bounce between mine. “If you still want this in the morning, you’re mine. I don’t want to rush you. You’re not some dare to win, Maya. You’re the whole damn package for me.”
My old no sleepovers rule flies out the window when it comes to the idea of Maya in my bed. It hits me how much I’d want that. Waking up with her soft warm body tangled with mine. Taking care of her.
“You can forget about other guys. I’ll take good care of you.” I drop my voice, my words only for her. “In every way you need, baby.”
Easton’s mouth hovers over mine. “Maya.” “Yes?” “I’m going to make you forget the word friend when I’m around.” My breath hitches. “What do you mean?” “If I haven’t made it crystal clear, I don’t want to be your friend whenever I do this.” He claims my mouth, the kiss burning me up as much as his roaming touch. “There’s no one else. Do you understand?” he rasps against my lips. I nod. “You want to be my boyfriend, not my friend.” “Boyfriend,” he repeats with a cocky tilt to his lips. “Yeah, I like the sound of that. Say it again, baby.” I thought I’d never be someone who dated hockey players
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Maya: Omg [laughing emoji] I really need to change your contact name. Hat Trick King: Why? I proved it was true when I had your sexy thighs wrapped around my head, didn’t I? Maya: Keep it up and you’ll be named after this year’s least favorite mascot. Hat Trick King: Nah, my girl wouldn’t do me dirty like that. Maya: Try me [halo emoji] Hat Trick King: Fine. But add a heart to my name. Maya: Why? You’re so cheesy. Hat Trick King: Because it’s all yours, baby. You’ve gotta keep it safe for me.
She presses on her toes to claim one more kiss, and I’m not about to deny her. I don’t think there’s anything I’ll ever be able to deny her.
“Baby, I don’t know how to be any clearer. Every second spent with you is my favorite. Stop trying to put yourself last when you’re number one for me.”
“This is how it will always be, baby. Even when I make the pros, you’re my priority. I’ll take care of you no matter what.” She doesn’t quite smother a surprised gasp at my serious promise, angling her head to stare at me wide-eyed. I turn her around and lean down, needing to feel my forehead resting against hers. I can already tell what’s going through her head. I’ve learned to read her. Her features are torn, wavering between that radiant smile I’m obsessed with and her practical side that’s probably saying some shit about how it’s too soon to be talking about the future when we’ve only been
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She grins. “I dare you.” “Oh, baby. When are you gonna learn?” I keep my speed slow and easy while she skates off. When she has a far enough lead, I fly across the ice to close the distance between us. I scrape to a stop with inches to spare, using the slowed momentum to wrap her in my arms smoothly. “I’ll never stop chasing you.” I tip her chin up for a kiss. “And I’ll always catch you.”
“Please, Easton. I don’t want you to sacrifice your dreams for me.” He clasps my chin between his fingers, lifting it to make me look him in the eye. I swallow at his serious expression. “I’m focused on the most important part of my future. That’s not a sacrifice at all.” His chin dips and his eyes bounce between mine. “You, Maya.”
“You’re the best.” The corner of his mouth kicks up. “That’s always what I strive for. Tell me what else you need right now.” I bite my lip as I think it over. “A walk.” His handsome warm blue eyes crinkle while he starts humming the tune for the chorus of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers. My tall, muscled hockey player boyfriend kneels at my feet, humming a song to tell me he’d go anywhere for me—with me.
She looks beautiful—not because her hair and makeup are done and she’s wearing a nice outfit, but because she’s here for me. Because she’s mine. It gives me the strong urge to get down on one knee right here and now to ask her something important. I don’t have a ring or a plan, but I do have my heart to give her over and over again.
“There’s a gourmet donut shop around the corner. Can we go?” “Don’t you know by now?” Her eyes bounce between mine, shining radiantly. “What?” I take her hand. “I’ll always go anywhere you ask.”
Whatever the future holds for both of us, we’ll have each other. Nothing will separate us. Maya Donnelly is it for me and I want to spend my life with her.
