Page 48 of One Pucking Heart

Beckett chuckles. “You do not want to be called Trollface, I guarantee it.”

“It’d be better than Hottie.”

He shrugs. “Okay, I’ll try to get it changed to Trollface.”

I hit his chest. “This is not a joke, Beckett.”

“I know.” He wraps his arms around my waist, pulls me against his chest, and we sway to the music. “I’ll do what I can. Okay?”

“Please do,” I snap.

“Come on, Hottie. Let it go and just dance with me.”

“Beckett.” I pin him with a warning stare.

He kisses my forehead. “I’m sorry. I really will work on it. But for now, can we just enjoy the reception?”

I nod and blow out a frustrated breath. “Yes, let’s enjoy your sister’s wedding.”

“Good. Now give me a kiss.” He puckers his lips, causing me to grin. I hesitate, and he says, “Come on. People are watching. It’s all part of the charade. Yes?” He winks. “Now kiss me.”

“I guess. If I must.”

I press my lips to Beckett’s, and the frustration over a silly nickname leaves my body. I’m instantly lost in this kiss, like I am every time his lips touch mine. As I’ve already discovered, Beckett’s lips are magical, and I’m afraid I’ll forever be powerless to resist them.

He makes me feel cherished, loved, and protected, and when we’re together, it doesn’t feel temporary. In fact, it never has. It feels like forever, and that has me more than a little freaked out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ELENA

“Don’t worry. There will be others,” I say to Ari over the phone. She had planned to make it home for the Cranes season opener and first home game but has a term paper to work on.

“I feel horrible. This is your first big job, and I want to support you and your team…” There’s a pause before she continues, “And your husband.”

I hate the fact that she’s still so uncomfortable with my marriage to Beckett, but even though I know it shouldn’t be, her disdain is amusing. I stifle a laugh. “It’s fine. Really. School is your number one priority now. I’ll tell Beckett you wished him luck.”

“Uh, okay,” she grumbles.

“Good luck on your paper. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’m proud of you, Ma.”

“Thanks, baby. I’m proud of you, too.”

The call ends, and I slide my phone into my back pocket. From a few rows up in the stands, I observe the guys warming up below. We’ve had some minor sprains and muscle tears in recent weeks, and I’m looking for signs that the injuries haven’t healed. The guys tell me they feel great, but I know they’d say anything to be on the ice for the season's first game. Everyone seems to be moving with ease, and they all passed my assessment, so I’m choosing to believe they’re all as healthy as they claim.

Beckett flies across the ice and hits the puck with a half-slap shot to his best friend, Cade. The smile on Beckett’s face is contagious, and I find my lips curving up. His joy can be felt from here. My chest fills with extreme contentment, and this feeling right here is what led me to sports medicine. The passion that athletes feel toward their sport and the enthusiasm they generate when they’re healed enough to play is a fulfilling thing to be a part of.

“They’re fun to watch, aren’t they?” Iris, Beckett’s sister and Cade’s wife, stands at my side. I’m not sure when she arrived, but her question startled me.

“Yeah, they are.”

“They’ve been playing together since they were ten with as much joy as they have now.”

I grin. “I guess they’re in the right profession then. How many people can say they have that much fun at work?”

“Right?” Iris chuckles. “Definitely.” She pauses a moment and clears her throat. “Look, I feel like as my brother’s wife, I should know you more than I do, and I’m sorry that I haven’t made more of an effort.”

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