Page 146 of Silver Fox Puck

Because whatever this thing with Kenzie started as? It’s not that anymore.

I knew it the second I woke up and missed her before I even realized she was gone.

I knew it when I caught her in my kitchen, wearing my shirt, looking at me like I was something she wasn’t ready to lose.

I know it now.

I love her.

The words settle in my chest like a weight. Heavy. Final.

I love her.

And the worst part?

I have no idea what the hell to do about it.

I want to keep her close. Forever.

And that? That terrifies me.

Because what if I can’t?

What if I screw this up like I’ve screwed up other things? That fight in the locker room? Sure I was just responding to the guy who threw the first punch, but now it’s part of my reputation. My divorce? Sure, she was done with our marriage a year before the divorce, but that’s also part of my reputation.

What if I’m not enough?

I rub my hands down my face, exhaling hard.

I don’t have a game plan.

I don’t know how to win this.

I don’t know how to play this.

I just know that if I lose her…

I’m screwed.

My phone sits face-up on my desk. Kenzie’s name at the top.

I’ve been staring at it for five minutes.

Five minutes of debating. Five minutes of gripping the edge of my desk like it might keep me from making a really big mistake.

I should call her.

I want to call her.

But what the hell would I even say?

Hey, Kenz. Just figured I’d let you know that I completely lost my head at practice today because I can’t stop thinking about you, and oh yeah, I’m pretty damn sure I’m in love with you.

Yeah. That’ll go over well.

I rub my hand down my face, groaning.

I don’t do this. I don’t sit around second-guessing my own goddamn emotions.

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