Page 117 of Uniquely in Love

My lips found hers again, more demanding this time. I gripped her hips, holding her to me as I devoured her, the minty taste of her toothpaste invading my senses.

“You don’t have to be scared anymore,” she promised, resting her forehead against mine. “I’m not going to leave you again.”

I didn’t say anything else, just kissing her again. But it was a promise that I was going to hold on to, if nothing else could abate the fear in my heart.

“How’s everythinggoing with you and your girl?” Brooks asked from the equipment next to mine. We were both in the gym, getting in a good workout in. It had been a week since I’d visited her classroom. A week since we’d officially decided we were boyfriend and girlfriend again.

Best damn week of my life.

Next week, my family would be here for Thanksgiving. We didn’t have a game on the day itself, but we did on Wednesday, so they’d all be in the stands, watching me. I’d bought the tickets at the start of the season, but thankfully, I’d been ableto get Ellie a seat with them, and my whole family would be together.

“Fucking amazing,” I admitted. “It’s better than I ever imagined. Away games suck, leaving her behind, but it’s been better knowing that she has Zamboni, and that she’s made friends here.” It wasn’t like I could ask her to quit her job and come on the road with me.

“Her and Soph do stuff together, yeah?” That was Maverick.

I nodded, doing another rep. “Yeah. They’re two peas in a pod. I’m glad she has someone.” Sophia had been around the team for the last few years—ever since graduating college—and she’d always been such a compassionate person. I’d also been around her long enough to know that she had absolutely no filter, and said anything that popped into her mind. Whoever was lucky enough to love her would definitely never be bored.

“You tell her you love her yet?”

My cheeks flushed. “Not in so many words.” But I had in other ways. Every action. Asking her to stay. “My family’s actually coming up next week for Thanksgiving. We’re going to tell them we’re back together then, and then we’re going back home together for Christmas. Going to hit the road once we get back from our last game.” It would be the first time I was seeing all of my family since May.

“That’ll be nice. Mav and I already booked our flights home to see our mom for the few days of break. It’s going to be nice to see her.” They were from a small town in Manitoba, and I knew it was hard for her to get out here for games too often.

At least I was lucky, only living three hours from my family.

“I’m planning on looking at rings,” I blurted out. “I want to ask her dad for permission when we’re down there.” Of course, there were other things I needed to tell her first.

Like how I’d never told her that the reason I’d picked the number eight for my jersey was for her. Because it had been her favorite number when she was little and both her birthdate and birth year ended in an eight. I’d always carried her with me.

“Oh, wow.” Brooks sat up, running his hands through his brown strands. “That’s serious. Do you think she’s ready for that?”

“I sure as fuck hope so. I don’t want to wait another moment without my ring on her finger. I just…” I shook my head. “I’ve been in love with her since I was sixteen years old, you know? She’s it for me. Always has been. And this time apart… I know now more than ever that I want to be her husband. That I want her to be my wife.” I shut my eyes, letting the fantasy play out. Our future together was so close, I could almost taste it. “I’m hers, as much as she is mine.”

Maverick patted me on the shoulder. “You got this, man. Honestly, you’ve always been such an easy-going, happy guy, and I thought nothing could phase you. But after she came back into your life, you’ve been even more-so. You never stop smiling. And I’m pretty sure she’s the reason, so if she makes you happy, Harps, I support you one hundred percent. And you know Brooks and I will be happy to have your back at your wedding one day.”

“Thanks. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you both.” They were my best friends, and I didn’t think Seattle would be the same without them. If any of us got traded, I’d be devastated.

“Come to the bar after the next home game?” Brooks asked. “And bring your girl.”

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s a plan.” Because I wanted her to be as close to these guys as I was. To feel like they were her extended family, too.

Because I realized that these days, what mattered to me more than anything else was her.

I could get through anything, as long as I had Ellie by my side.

Cousins Coffee Club

TEXTS

Penelope

Guess who’s counting down the days till she’s in Seattle??

Ellie

I can’t wait to see you, Penny! We have so much to catch up on.

Quinlan

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