Page 47 of Paxton

“You're even faster than you were last year,” I say, giving him a nod. “Your reflexes are on fire this season and we're only just getting started.”

He grins and nods at me. “They better be. I worked on them the entire off-season. I was almost here more than Baylor.” He waves toward Baylor as he walks toward the showers.

I laugh. “Did you two become best friends? Because no one is here as much as Baylor.”

Fender laughs, shrugging again. “He's right in that line of robotic when it comes to the gym,” he says. “But competing with him during training has upped my game. I'm just glad the guy isn't trying to be a goalie, or I'd be out of a job. He's a fucking machine.”

“Yeah, I'm grateful he's on our team,” I say.

“You heading over toThe Queen’s Rumafter this?” Fender asks.

“Most likely,” I say. “I've got to check in with Monroe.”

“Cool, well maybe I'll see you there.” He gives me a fist-bump before heading toward the showers.

I hurry through my shower, more than excited to celebrate the first preseason game win with my girl.

My girl.

The words echo through my mind, settling in my heart.

There’s an instinct to not even silently call her that, but I can't help it. The last couple months have been a fucking dream, and she's mine in every way that matters.

It doesn't matter if we've labeled it or not, I canfeelthe shift, the subtle changes in our behavior, the strengthening and deepening of our friendship into something much more than just satisfying urges.

Does that mean I'm going to press her about it? Hell no.

Does it mean my heart is fuller than it's ever been? Definitely.

There's no way in hell I'm going to do anything to risk that.

So as much as I want to scream from the rooftops that Monroe is the love of my life and I'm never letting her go, I keep that shit to myself and instead relish the way she throws her arms around my neck as I exit the locker room, the force of her impact almost enough to knock me backward, but I catch her easily enough.

“Congrats!” she says, releasing me so she can smile up at me. “You guys were on fire!” she continues as we move out of the way of the locker room door, lingering in the space just beside it.

“Hell yeah, we were,” Lawson says as he exits, and Blakely gives him an equally enthusiastic greeting.

Nash follows right behind him, Reese shrugging. “You played all right,” she says before he growls at her and scoops her off her feet, walking with her down the hallway as she giggles.

“Are you heading toThe Queen’s Rum?” Blakely calls after her.

“We'll be there,” Reese says through her giggles as Nash continues to walk with her over his shoulder.

I turn my attention back to Monroe, unable to shake off the effects of howrighteverything feels. My best friends and their girls, me and mine. The only thing that could make this better is if I knew with one hundred percent certainty where Monroe and I stand. But seeing as that is only a small worry, I really can’t deny how damn lucky I am.

“What about you two?” Lawson asks, smacking me on my arm. “You're going to meet us there?”

I flash a silent question at Monroe, who looks up at me with anof courselook.

“I just didn't know if you wanted to go or not,” I say. “I know you had a lot of body work to do before we took the ice.” I answer the silent question from her.

“I’m definitely wiped out,” she says. “I swear sometimes you Badgers are the biggest babies,” she teases. “But I’m down to celebrate this win!”

“Do you guys even realize you do that?” Lawson asks, looking between us. “You answer each other as if one of you asked a question when you didn't? It's a little creepy,” he teases.

“You get used to it,” Blakely assures him, flashing me a wink and then smiling suggestively at Monroe, who gives her just as much of a chiding look that screams for her friend to be quiet.

I pretend not to have interpreted all that.

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