Page 98 of Uniquely in Love

It would have been a quick trip, anyway. Unlike most students on campus, I didn’t have the luxury of a long weekend.

“Done. I’ll talk to your dad tonight when he gets back from the University and we’ll book hotels. I love you, Owen. You’re so strong. You’ll make it through this, I promise.”

“But why?” I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the tears. “Why do I have to? It was supposed to be her and I. We were supposed to be together.”

“I can’t pretend to know the way the world works, hon. All I know is it’s what you do after that matters. You’ve got so much life ahead of you. We talked to your coach, and I know he sees the promise in you. The NHL drafted you.”

I nodded, reminding myself that was what was important. Hockey. My career. I loved it. I could love it enough even without her here. “Yeah. You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”

“See you in a few weeks. If you need me—or your Dad—we’re always right here.”

I wished I could hug her. “I love you.”

“Love you too, O-Bear,” she said, calling me my childhood nickname. “Good luck on your game tonight.”

We said our goodbyes before I hung up the phone, staring up at the ceiling.

I still didn’t understand.

Still wanted to cry and scream or break something.

But my mom was right. I had to be strong. Had to not let this affect me.

I’d wall off my heart with a sheet of ice, so it could never get broken again. Keep giving everyone the grinning, cheerful guy that everyone loved.

Even when I was dying on the inside.

THIRTY-ONE

Owen

NOW

Scooping Ellie up, I carried her back to my room.Ourroom, if I had anything to say about that.

Ellie thought we couldn’t get back the time we’d lost, and maybe she was right. But I meant what I said, too.Everything that’s meant to be always works out in the end. And weweremeant to be. I knew that in my heart.

Zamboni followed behind me, already attached at the hip despite me only picking her up this afternoon after practice. I’d already shown her the new dog bed I’d gotten her in our room, and put a snuggly blanket in her crate along with toys so hopefully she’d feel safe inside.

My girl bit her bottom lip as I settled her onto the bed. “Are you sure about this? About… us?”

God, didn’t she know how obsessed with her I was? How it was hard to keep my hands off of her? “Yes.” The word was practically a growl as I ran my hands up her legs, pushing her dress up and exposing her pretty lacy underwear to me. My girl loved her matching sets, and I loved how delicate and feminine they all were.

I ran my nose down the seam of her panties, shutting my eyes as I breathed in her scent.

“I was so mad at you for so long,” I admitted. Ellie’s eyes were watery when I looked up, but I continued on, hooking my fingers into her waistband and dragging them down her legs. “For leaving me. For denying us this. For only giving me once.” A groan escaped me as I pried open her thighs, catching sight of her pretty pink pussy. “Fuck, baby. It was so hard.” I ran my tongue through her slit, and Ellie let out a soft moan.

Her voice was a hardly more than a whisper. “I know. I shouldn’t have…”

Circling her clit, I felt her body relax under my touch as I lapped at her, blowing lightly on her clit as I kneeled in front of her. Her body jerked slightly, but my fingers held her in place.

I kissed her thigh. “I would have fought for you. For us.”

“I know,” she said, her entire face downcast. Like this decision had haunted her the same way it had me.

“Thenwhy, Ellie? Why did you have to end it? Why did you have to leaveme?”

She shook her head. “Why didn’t you come home? Five years, and…”

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