Page 113 of Play Maker

“I’m so sorry,” Coach replied. “Is there anything I can do? Do you want to talk about it?”

“He’s my ex, so I’d rather not,” I quietly admitted.

I looked up to find Coach offering a sympathetic look.

“Well, we’re leaving for home shortly. When we get back to Sutton, maybe reach out to one of the counselors?”

“I’ll do that.”

I’d message my therapist for sure.

“In the meantime, I’m around if you need to chat.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

Coach gave a brief nod and headed to the front of the bus. Dane took the seat across from us. I leaned back and closed my eyes, trying to stay calm. I heard footsteps and chatter as the rest of our teammates boarded, but I pretended I was sleeping.

A few minutes later, I felt the bus move as we rolled out of Albany.

Axel didn’t push me to talk. He gripped my knee for a moment, squeezing, and then let go. But I could still feel the warmth of his body as he leaned up close against me, his right thigh and shoulder touching my left. Just knowing that he was there if I needed him gave me a comfort that I didn’t expect. One that had me wanting to do the same for him.

With my eyes still closed, I tentatively reached out my hand, resting it on Axel’s thigh.

Would anyone notice? Would anyone care?

When Axel interlocked his hand with mine, I had my answer.

The only one who mattered was him.

CHAPTER 33

AXEL

After Albany, everything changed.

When we got back to Sutton that afternoon, Jace and I parted ways to our respective rooms. I dumped my bag, did a load of laundry, and headed back to Jace’s two hours later. He was still shaken up, and so was I, and the only thing either of us wanted was to hold each other. Between the game yesterday, dealing with my parents, and the news this morning, it was a lot.

We lay on his bed, on our sides, wrapped around each other, face to face, trading sleepy kisses and whispered confessions.

“Total cuddler,” he teased me.

I ran my thumb over those wicked lips of his, and then, not able to resist, I leaned in and planted a resounding kiss on them.

“Maybe I’ll getyoua jersey withmynumber,” he added when I let him come up for air. “But instead of my name, I’ll have ‘Hot Cuddler’ printed on it.”

I bit my lower lip, trying not to smile.

“I’d wear it.”

“Really?”

“For you? Damn right.”

“Now I know that you love me,” he quipped, and suddenly, his eyes widened. “I mean?—”

“Yes,” I said to him, cupping his chin, staring into his eyes.

“Ax.”

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