Page 100 of Uniquely in Love

Leaning against the doorframe,I watched as Ellie curled her hair in my bathroom, getting ready for the team’s Halloween party a few days later. I was glad Sophia had invited her, even though I wanted to be the one to invite her to team stuff. Which was stupid, because I hadn’t even invited her back to another game yet, too worried that she’d say no. And how could I have thought that, when this beautiful woman confessed that she’d watchedallof my games? Thinking about her back in Portland, turning on the TV just to watch me, made my heart skip a beat.

I thought about the bag I had stashed in the closet. Something I’d had made for her after she’d shown up at my first game, even though it had been impulsive. Now it didn’t feel impulsive at all. It just felt right.

“I have a question,” I asked before I could lose my nerve. What about this girl made me so nervous? We’d already said we were together. She’d slept in my bed every night this week.I’d adopted a dog for us, for fuck’s sake. I could ask her to come to my games.

“Hmmm?” she hummed, turning towards me.

“You can say no if you don’t want to.” Hesitating, I went into the closet and grabbed the bag, and then stuck it on the counter in front of her. “But I got this for you, and, well…” I shook my head. “Just open it.”

Ellie put down the curling iron after she finished her current curl, giving me a weird look. “Okay…”

Zamboni was curled up on her bed, watching Ellie get ready. She was a snuggle bug, and whenever either of us was on the couch, she was immediately in one of our laps. We’d gotten her a sparkly blue tag with her name for her collar. Of course, it was rimmed in rhinestones, because Ellie had seen that design and fallen in love instantly. I’d already bought our girl a Seals collar and toys from the gift shop—because how could I not—and she looked so darn cute when she padded around the house, wearing her collar with pride.

Yep, I was definitely going to be one of those dog owners.

My girl reached into the bag, pulling out the brand new blue sweater.

“What’s this?” she asked, holding up the jersey.

I cleared my throat. “It’s for you.”Obviously. God, I was an idiot. And terrible at this. “To wear. At my games. If you want to come to them.”

“Oh, Owen.” Her eyes were glassy.

Stepping closer to her, I ran my finger under her eye. “Please don’t cry. You’ll ruin your pretty makeup.”

She laughed. “Of course, I want to come to your games. And of course, I’ll wear it. I’d be honored.” She turned it around, looking at the name and number on the back. Mine. Because damn, I wanted to see her in my jersey. With my name on her back. Just like old times. The way it was always supposed to be. “I love it,” she whispered, stepping up on her tiptoes to kiss me softly. “Thank you.” She looked hesitantly atthe floor. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to be there. You hadn’t asked me again, and I didn’t want to assume, so…”

“I always want you there, Ellie baby. But I know you have to be at school early in the mornings, so I didn’t want to burden you with coming on weeknights if it was too much. Whenever you want to come, you’ll always have a seat.”

She wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug. I rubbed mine over her back, enjoying the feel of her body pressed up against mine. “Thank you.”

“Always,” I promised her.

Ellie pushed at my chest. “Now, go away. I have to finish getting ready, and we’ll never make it out of here if you’re being this sweet to me.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Why, because it makes you want to?—”

“Owen!” She slapped a hand over my mouth, laughing. “Out. Go get your costume on.”

“Fine.” I gave her a quick kiss before padding into the bedroom, crouching in front of Zamboni’s bed. “Your mommy kicked me out, huh?”

“I can still hear you!” She shouted from the bathroom.

I laughed as I went to put on my costume, trying to figure out how I’d gotten so lucky.

My dream girl was back in my life, and we were together, and everything else would fall into place. At least, I hoped it would.

I interlacedmy fingers with Ellie’s as we walked into the Captain’s house. Though that word wasn’t quite right, considering how large the place was. Stefan and Lauren had bought it after they’d gotten married, no doubt thanks to his large salary. Now, she was expecting their first child.

Would this be Ellie and I’s life someday? If she chose to stay in Seattle—stay with me? I hoped so. I wanted to see her with my ring on her finger, glowing with happiness as she carried our baby. Not yet—we still had so much time to make up for. But someday. I’d always known I wanted a family. With such a large, loving family like ours, how could I not? I’d never doubted my parent’s love for me. They’d supported me through everything.

I knew how I felt—how I’d always felt—but it was so hard to let myself feel it fully again, because I knew what would happen if she left me again. It would devastate me. How would I survive it?

Ellie squeezed my hand as we looked up at the door.

“I can’t believe you’re here with me,” I admitted. “All of this feels like a dream. Ever since you showed up at the arena and I saw you on the other side of the boards.”

“It’s not,” she said, cupping my cheek with her palm. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch. “It’s not a dream, Owen. I’m here.”

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