In the Game (Lakes Hockey, #3)

by Sloane St. James

It’s always the quiet ones…

“You rang?” I do my damndest to keep my eyes fixed on hers and nowhere else. “Sorry, it’s easier to call you over than to get ambushed by fans.” “That must be quite a hardship for you.” She smiles, it’s bright and genuine.

I know almost nothing about her, but one thing I’m certain of, I’m keeping this woman. She’s mine.

Barrett Conway changed me. He killed this puck bunny, ripped her heart out, and ate it. I can’t do this anymore.

But it’s better to leave with a happy memory than sad goodbye. And I’m no one’s bunny.

After searching for five years, there’s no way in hell I’m leaving without a fight. I’ll fight her for another five with a smile on my face.

“Nobody mails letters anymore, Mom.”

“There are no words big enough to apologize or make up for this, but I am so sorry.”

My cheeks burn for no reason. None. Certainly not from how handsome he is.

“So, you and I are new friends, but I actually knew your mom a long time ago. Annnnnd, I didn’t realize you had four whole birthdays that went by, so I got you something small for all the ones I missed.”

Im not crying at how freaking cute this is

“We’re not done, love. This is just the beginning.”

I haven't felt that heady vibration of feelings and attraction in years. I forgot what it was like to feel wanted in that way. It’s been so long. I’m addicted, I need more.

I’m nervous, yet everytime we’re together, his presence calms me.

This is the best feeling. When someone just feels like home.

I’m constantly playing it safe and never going outside my comfort zone. I’ve lost touch with the wild side I used to have.

Same. Girl, same

“I forgot to get this woman’s number once. I missed the birth of my son, missed his whole life. I missed years building something with the woman who needed me most.”

“This is our date night. You wanted to take me out and I’m here. So show me a good fucking time, Barrett Conway.”

pretty sure Barrett could catcall a fucking banana and it would start stripping its peel.

“You’re everything I’ve been missing,”

We’re all happy sometimes. And we’re all sad sometimes too. Mom says there’s lots of feelings inside us and we have to listen for when they need to come out. Happy ones come out more than sad ones, but she says even the sad and angry ones need to get air every once and a while.”

Arthur just out here nailing life at 4 years old.