Page 25 of Uniquely in Love

Heading out to the parking lot, my parents started heading for their car, and I interlaced my fingers with Ellie’s.

“Ride home with me?” I asked, my voice low.

She nodded. We hadn’t spent any alone time today, and as much as I loved my family, they’d get me back at home. Ellie had a figure skating competition this weekend, so I wouldn’t even get to see her then. It sucked when we had overlapping events, because as much as I loved her coming to my games, I loved going to see her skate even more.

“We’re going to head home,” Dad said, nodding at me.

Penelope smiled, tucking her book under her arm. I resisted chuckling—I hadn’t even noticed she’d had it on her earlier. Of course, my sister would read at my game. Everyone in our family was a voracious reader, though, so it wasn’t anything new.

“Be safe,” my mom said, lookingbetween Ellie and I.

My cheeks warmed, and I shook my head. “Mom,”I muttered, rubbing my free hand over my face and through my damp strands. It wasn’t like that.

Ellie buried her face in her hands, and when my family was gone, I peeled them back away from her eyes.

“You okay?” I asked, chuckling.

She nodded. “I just… don’t want them to think we’re doing anything bad, you know?” Ellie scrunched up her nose. “It’s not like we’re having sex.” She let out a little groan.

We walked to my blue truck, and I held her hand again, interlacing our fingers before squeezing it reassuringly. “Our families love us. So yeah, they’re going to tease us. Besides, they, uh… know we’re not actually doing it, El.”

“Oh.” She grimaced. “It’s always going to be like this, isn’t it?”

“Probably.” I laughed, opening up the door for her and helping her inside. When she was buckled in, I leaned over, bracing one hand on the frame of the truck. “Our moms are best friends. Of course, they talk. But we’re best friends too, Daisy.” My voice was low. “And it doesn’t matter what they think.”

My girl blinked, her hand bunched in the hem of the gray and purple jersey. “Doesn’t it?”

“No.” I shook my head. “It only matters whatwethink.”

“And what do you think?” Ellie whispered.

“That I want to spend time with my girlfriend.” I pressed my lips to her forehead- before closing the door and walking around to the other side.

She turned her head, watching as I slid into my seat, resting my hand on the gearshift as I prepared to turn on the car. Instead, I moved it to her thigh, letting my palm engulf most of her leg. There was something in her eyes—a spark of desire. Heat. “Owen…” Her voice was breathless.

I pushed my seat back, patting my lap. “Ellie,” I murmured. “Come here.”

She bit her lip before climbing over the truck console, sitting in my lap.

“Hi,” she whispered, looping her arms around my neck.

“Hi.” I brushed a piece of hair off her forehead. “You looked so beautiful tonight.”

Her cheeks were pink. “Thank you.”

There was just something about seeing her in the stands, wearing my jersey. “I love having you at my games.”

Ellie smiled. “I love coming to them. Watching you on the ice… God, Owen. You’re going to do incredible things. I can’t wait to see it.”

Did she have any idea how much her faith in me meant to me?

“I couldn’t do it without you,” I answered, the admission coming out without me meaning for it to. “You’re the only person I want to celebrate with when I get a goal. When we win the game.”

Her hand ran up my chest, settling on my pecs. While I wasn’t the biggest guy on my team, nor did I have a six-pack, I was in great shape from the time I spent on the ice, and working out to keep up while playing hockey.

“We’re not having sex until we’re both ready,” I said, one of my hands resting on her lower back as I cupped the back of her neck with the other. “But I really want to kiss you right now.”

She looped her arms around the back of my neck, brushing her lips over mine. “Then what are you waiting for, Hockey Boy? Kiss me.”

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