Center Ice (Boston Rebels, #1)

by Julia Connors

And as I pour everything I have into her, into this moment, I’m left absolutely dumbfounded. Because Audrey is everything I didn’t know I wanted, and I’m not sure I can live without her now she’s back in my life.

“That’s the infatuation stage of any new relationship, Drew. It’s not the basis of marriage. You can’t commit to a lifetime with someone based on that infatuation because, eventually, it will fade. There are a lot of tough times in life and in a marriage, and if anything less than love is at the foundation of the relationship, things will eventually start collapsing.”

With a deep breath, I think about how many times I’ve worn my brother’s jersey. “I appreciate the thought, but the only name I wear on my back is my own.” He leans in so close his lips graze my earlobe and the sparks of desire shoot straight through me. “Don’t worry, baby, one day my last name will be yours.”

“Will you stay too?” Graham asks me. “Of course.” I take a seat on the end of his bed, facing Audrey where she sits next to him so he can see the book as she reads to him. And as I watch them, I’m overcome with the exact same feeling I had in our kitchen earlier today. Gratitude. Complete and utter gratitude.

“Because the moon is anchored to the Earth and can only reflect the light of other stars, whereas the stars shine on their own.” I tilt her chin up and look down at her. “Is that what you think? That you can only reflect the light of others?” “I think…maybe that’s what I thought, until you came back into my life. With you, I feel like I shine on my own.”

“Audrey, you already shone plenty bright on your own. It’s why I was attracted to you in the first place, because the love and beauty just radiate out of you. But if I make you feel like you don’t have to hide that anymore, then that’s perfect.”