Page 62 of The Love Penalty

“Oh, love. Can you look at me, please?” he pulls back and gently tilts my chin up so I can see his face. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he says, and I can see the regret in his eyes. “But I need you to listen to what I’m about to say.”

I nod and he continues. “Earlier, I was frustrated at the situation and I took it out on you. That wasn’t fair, I get that. Iknow you can’t control the weather. I apologize for that. As for the end of the call—well, I was angry. The comment you made about me always paying so that I feel superior in the relationship really pissed me off. Because that’s not true. I know that I’ve grown up privileged, but I need you to understand that me offering to pay for your food, or flights, or anything else you need is not something I do to get validation.

“I genuinely want to help, and I’m trying to do that by showing you that you’re not alone in this relationship. It’s not fair for you to have to pay for every flight just to come see me. And if my schedule allowed it, I would come see you a hell of a lot more often. So yes, I was angry and I hung up. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you or that I want you gone.” He sighs and grabs my face in both his hands, bringing our foreheads together. “I love you all the time. Even when I’m irrationally mad.”

“I love you too.” I sniffle. “Can I kiss you?”

“One more thing, before we make up. If you need more affirmation that I am here to stay, I’ll give that to you. But I need you to understand that I’m not perfect, and I’ll make mistakes and get frustrated. And we’ll fight again, because that’s what healthy couples do.” He looks at me and I feel like he sees my soul down to its core. “So promise me, if you’re ever angry or annoyed, you’ll tell me what’s on your mind, and that you won’t hold it all inside.”

“I promise. And I’m sorry too. I should have handled that phone call better instead of snapping at you. We were both frustrated and I just felt bad for making us miss the trip.”

“It’s okay, I meant what I said earlier, all I want is to spend time with you. Besides, maybe now that Alice and Jordan are alone together they’ll finally admit their feelings for each other.”

I gasp and my eyes widen. “They went to the cabin?”

Robbie smiles. “They did. I gave Alice the truck and they left just in time to avoid some of the bad snow. I made her promise to call me with updates when they arrive.”

“Hmm, I do have to say, I’m low-key happy to have you all to myself.”

Robbie pulls me in his lap and my legs move to straddle him. Then I kiss him softly, almost shyly at first, until he deepens the kiss and shows me exactly how much he missed me. Our clothes end up in a heap on the floor and we don’t move off the couch until the cats finally find us and scream at us for food.

The storm keepsus inside for most of the week, which neither of us complains about. Alice texts me with some updates but she won’t make any comments when I ask about Jordan. Robbie stocked up the fridge and pantry before picking me up at the airport so the whole week we experimented with new recipes, watched TV together, and ended up having sex in almost every room of his house. Those poor cats have seen too much.

Last night we were talking about hockey and I happened to mention the Vermont team and how heated the last game was with them. Robbie got so mad just hearing about Mitchell again, reminding him of how he punched Ash at the beginning of the season and almost got him in trouble for it.

I was a coward and didn’t mention my own confrontation with Mitchell, but I think I have to tell him. Robbie has been nothing but honest with me and always asks me for my opinion when making decisions, so it’s only fair I do the same.

“Hey, babe, can I talk to you about something?” I say, approaching him on the couch where he is reading a book, darkframe glasses making him look sexy as hell, just like I knew they would.

“Yeah, what’s up?” he says, bookmarking the page and putting the book aside to give me his full attention. God, I love this man so much.

I nervously spin the ring on my right hand and sit down by his hip where he is lounging. “So, I meant to tell you this earlier, but I’ve been putting it off because I know you’ll get mad.”

He studies me with a furrow in his brow and says, “Tell me.”

“Well, about a week ago, I had that game at home that I officiated. Remember, we talked about it last night and you vented about how much of a dick Mitchell is?” He nods and clasps his fingers tightly in his lap. “Well, after the game, he was waiting for me and he cornered me at the arena.” I glance up at Robbie and see his jaw harden and his nostrils flare. He’s pissed.

“Did he lay a finger on you?” he asks through gritted teeth.

“No, of course not. He’s not stupid enough to do that,” I say and pause for a moment, taking a deep breath. Robbie doesn’t get the chance to relax before I say, “He basically blackmailed me.”

“What?” Robbie’s expression is shocked but also concerned and he grabs my hands in his. “What do you mean he blackmailed you? With what?”

I swallow and say, “He knows about us. Apparently he saw us at the hotel in Vermont last time we were there. He said he happened to be there and saw us holding hands. Either way, he told me he knows and that if I don’t start favoring his team more in the remaining games, he’s going to tell the AHL and get me fired.”

“That fucking asshole. He needs to be taught a lesson,” Robbie says.

“Absolutely not! Doing that would just prove him right.”

“How are you so calm about this? Your career is on the line if he tells everyone.”

“The thing is, I don’t know if I believe him. He didn’t say that he had proof, and if he did, he didn’t dangle it in my face. Which makes me think he’s bluffing. Even if he did see us at the same hotel, in the same elevator, holding hands or whatever, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just his word against ours,” I say confidently.

“And if he does have proof?” Robbie asks warily.

“Then, I will accept whatever verdict the AHL gives me. I’m not going to break things off with you just because some idiot in Vermont has a small dick and an even smaller brain.”

Robbie bursts out laughing and I can’t help but join him. “Honestly, the only reason I didn’t tell you is because I didn’t want to worry you. I’m confident we can put up with him for the next couple months and then once you’re retired we don’t have to worry about it.”

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