Page 88 of One Shot

“It’s easier to face my battles when I have you,” she squeezes me tighter, clinging to me like her life depends on it.

“I will always try my best to win for you. Not for the team, not to impress scouts, but for you, Lauren.”

I kiss her hard, not caring who is watching. She quietly moans into my mouth as I deepen our kiss and part her lips with my tongue. I’ve missed her. I’ve missed her lips. I’ve missed her tongue. I’ve missed just being around her. Someone taps my back. I groan and break the kiss.

“What?” I turn around. It’s a sophomore on the team.

“Sorry to interrupt but someone named Sicel is looking for you,” he says.

“Sicel is the scout for Nashville,” I tell Lauren.

“Go! That’s amazing!” Lauren says excitedly. She doesn’t hesitate to tell me to pursue my future; she supports it wholeheartedly.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you,” I start.

“Lucas, don’t be ridiculous. Get out of here! Now! Text me or call me later,” she replies

“I will, I will. I promise.”

I kiss her quickly and head off the ice into the locker room to change quickly so I can go talk to the scout. Tyler and Connor assure me they will walk her and Bren home once East leaves our arena. No one is willing to risk Laur potentially coming face to face with Nathan. Any one of the players on the team would more than willingly put him on his back without a second thought, no questions asked.

Chapterthirty-nine

Laur

Iam on a buzz from the electricity of the team and the crowd with the win against East. I wasn’t planning to come at all. But Lucas’ letter and package changed everything. That man has a way with words.

Lauren Chip Bellinger -

You amaze me every single day in more ways than I can count. You are fiercely loyal, can hold your own ground, and speak your own mind. I could write a novel about all the incredible qualities you have.

It hurts not just my heart but my soul to know how you were treated by someone you willingly, selflessly gave your heart to. No one deserves to experience that. It hurts me more than you know that it’s something I couldn’t protect you from and something I still can’t protect you from.

But I can promise you that I will never lay a hand on you. I promise you I will always remind you of your goodness, how brilliant you are, and all your amazing qualities on days when you need to hear it and on days when you don’t. I promise to be here to help you through anything that life throws your way. I promise to help you through this however you need me to. I promise to protect you in every way I can from anyone who dulls the brightness in your beautiful blue eyes.

I love you, Lauren Bellinger.

P.S. I ordered one of the special edition jerseys for you a while ago with my name and number. Libby promised not to tell. I might have my face on random girls' walls around campus and jerseys in random closets or worn to games. But seeing you in my jersey won’t compare to any of that. I will be honored, humbled, and proud whenever you decide to wear it.

Reading Lucas’ letter made me cry. I knew he had a big heart, but this is the most selfless and romantic thing anyone has done for me. He is consistently proving that he will put me first and understands when I have to do the same. I changed out of my pajamas right away to put on the jersey and a little make up before I went to the game.

Bren was saving me a seat in case I came to the game. Seeing Nathan for the first time in over a year was heart wrenching. My body tensed. On instinct, I wanted to run. I wanted to hide. I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry until I was so dehydrated no more tears would fall.

Then Lucas’ eyes met mine and all of those fears took a back seat. I made it through the game squeezing Bren and Suz’s hands on and off. I didn’t even have to close my eyes when Nathan was on the ice or came close to us. I avoided eye contact easily. I focused on being at the game not just for Lucas but for myself.

I’ve come a long way from the depressed shell of a human I was months ago. I owe it to myself not to let some asshole have control over my feelings or my actions. I am surrounded by amazing friends who have become family and people who will clearly protect me (Lucas in the penalty box twice? Really?).

Nick would be proud of me for facing my demons today.

I’mproud of me.

Connor and Tyler walk me home. Bren is staying at Liam’s. I don’t even have to ask them if we can wait until the opposing team leaves the building. They purposely take their time showering and packing up. I might have come to the game and seen Nathan for the first time since the accident, but I was not ready to interact with him up closeand personal. He’s a narcissistic asshole, and I have no doubt that he would try to talk to me. I’m not sure what I ever saw in him.

On our walk back, Tyler mentions Nick’s notebook coming in to save the day again. I’m glad I remembered to give it back to Lucas.

I hesitate to ask but I’m eager to know if it said anything about Nathan.

“What did it say?” I ask curiously.

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