Page 73 of One Pucking Life

“I’m glad they’re coming,” she says softly.

“Yeah. Me too.” I pause, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Well, I’m excited. All Iris has talked about the past two years is Cade, the team, the games. She’s obsessed... and admittedly, happy. I never really got it. If I’m being honest, I kind of judged her for it… you know, my whole anti-jock philosophy.”

I nod. “Yeah… you’re sticking to that one really well.”

Laney laughs and nudges me with her elbow. “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I’m actually looking forward to this week. The games are probably going to push my anxiety to the brink, but I’m excited to watch my partner out there. To see you in your element—it’s special.”

“So now you understand where Iris is coming from?”

“Oh, I get it. I’m pretty obsessed with you, too.”

“Good. Keep it that way.”

She looks up at me, eyes soft and full of something that wraps around my chest and pulls tight. “Always.”

My throat tightens. “God, I love you.”

“I know,” she says with a smile, bumping my shoulder again. “You show me every day.”

We fall into silence, the swing gently rocking beneath us. The air has cooled, but we don’t move. Eventually, Caroline sighs through the monitor and then settles again. We both smile at the sound.

Laney shifts slightly, her fingers brushing over mine. “You ready to go in?”

I take a breath. “Yeah. I think I am.”

“You’re feeling better?”

“Definitely. I’m ready.”

“Good.”

She reaches into the pocket of her hoodie and pulls out a small square of neon pink paper. “Found this on the counter. You dropped it.”

I unfold it, recognizing her handwriting instantly. It reads:

No matter what happens, you’ve already won.

I smile and slide the note into my pocket, patting it once.

“You saving that one?”

“Definitely a keeper.”

Laney stands first and holds her hand out to me. “Let’s go to bed. You need a good night’s sleep if you’re going to win that trophy… or not. Win or lose—sleep is still important.”

I laugh. “Sounds good.”

Hand in hand, I follow her inside.

“Oh, and just for the record,” I add with a wink. “We’re winning.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

DELANEY

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