Page 128 of Uniquely in Love

Which was torture, actually. Because for the next twenty minutes of gameplay, I couldn’t go to her. Couldn’t talk to her or touch or tell heranything.

She loved me. She was here, and sheloved me.

I didn’t know what I’d done to get so fucking lucky in this life, but I was damn grateful.

A fight broke out during the next shift, and while it was broken up quickly, a player from both teams ending up in the penalty box.

“Penalty to Seattle number eleven for roughing, and DC number eighty-six gets a double minor for boarding and unsportsmanlike conduct.” Maverick and the player on theopposing team were already inside, and it meant we had a power play. We had one of the top power plays in the league, but the other team had one of the top penalty kills, so we still needed to be at the top of our fucking game to score.

And here I was, jealous as fuck that Mav was sitting in the penalty box and notme. Because he was only a few feet away from my girl.

The girl that I wanted to spill my heart to.

But until then, I jumped over the boards, heading onto the ice as Coach called the line change, ready to play my fucking heart out.

My heart stoppedwhen I headed back to the locker room at the end of the first period. There she was, standing in the middle of the hallway. I dropped my helmet and gloves on the ground without even thinking.

“You’re here.” I wasn’t sure I was breathing.

She nodded, taking a hesitant step forward. “I’m here.”

“Thank fuck.” I opened my arms. “Come here, Ellie baby. I need to hold you.”

She stepped into my arms, and I pressed my nose against her scalp, inhaling her scent. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

I pulled away, the question finally popping into my mind. “Howareyou here? And who’s watching Zamboni?”

Ellie reached up, brushing a damp blond curl off my forehead. “I couldn’t let you go one more minute, thinking I didn’t want to be with you.” She chucked. “And Mikhail’s fiancée, Bailey, is watching her.”

Sorensen’s girl had always been sweet, and I appreciated her helping mine. “I’m glad you’re here.” I dropped my head, resting our foreheads together. It was kind of our thing.

“El… you’re my best friend. You’vealwaysbeen my bestfriend. And I’ve missed you so much.” I’d missed her for the last week. I’d missed her for the last five years.

I loved hockey, but I loved her more. Always had. Always would.

She was everything good in the world. Her smiles were like the sun rising over my dark sky. Like somehow, Ellie Bradford’s sheer existence could brighten up any day.

I didn’t want to lose her. Couldn’t bear to lose her again. To go back to being that heartbroken shell of a man I’d been for the last five years. I’d survived, sure—but I hadn’t lived. The other half of my soul hadn’t been complete without her.

“I missed you too,” Ellie admitted. “Even when I knew I shouldn’t. Even when I cursed myself for leaving. For walking away from this, from us.” I knew she wasn’t talking about the last week anymore.

I smiled. “What are you saying, baby?”

“I never want you to worry about leaving and not coming home to me, Owen Harper. Because you’remine.You’remy home.”

And there was no way I could go one second longer without kissing her. Ignoring the fact that I was still in my pads and all my gear, I cupped her neck, bringing her mouth to mine. It was everything I’d needed. Everything I wanted.

When I pulled back, our chests heaving, I cupped both of her cheeks. “My favorite place in the world, without question, is right next to you.” I kissed her again, softer this time. “I gave up on us once, Skater Girl. Believe me when I say I’m never going to again.”

“Good.” She nodded. “Because I don’t want to move out. I never did. I told my landlord that when he called the first time. There was no way I could ever want to leave you and Zambi.” Her eyes were glassy. “Notever.”

“Ellie.” I reached out, brushing a strand of hair back and tucking it behind her ear. “God, I love you. I always have. I never stopped, not for one fucking moment. I carried you withme in here,” I said, tapping over my heart, and then pressed a kiss to my tattoo. “And I never forgot about you. Not for one single second. How could I? It’s always been you. You’re it for me, Eleanor Daisy Bradford. Always have been. Always will be.”

Her beautiful blue-gray eyes filled with tears, and I brushed them away with my thumb.

“Say something,” I murmured. “Please.”

“Owen.” She shook her head. “I don’t deserve you. I—I broke your heart.”

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