Page 98 of Rookie Season
He shrugs one shoulder. “Allegra’s biological father was running his mouth about the woman I love, so I punched hislights out.” Carter levels me with a serious stare. “The media went wild, spewing lies about how I was violent and unhinged. My reputation was in tatters, and it almost ruined my career. But I didn’t have a single regret. You know why?”
I swallow. “Why?”
“Because the way I see it, it’s okay to protect those you love, at any cost. There’s no shame in what you did, Noah. Hell, I would have done the same thing had I known what that asshole put my daughter through.” He releases a breath. “I know Coach Anderson gave you quite the run down earlier, but he doesn’t know the whole story yet. I don’t know your brother-in-law, but I have a pretty good feeling he wouldn’t hesitate to punch someone who threatened his wife or his girls. Do you agree?” He quirks one eyebrow, his eyes twinkling.
A shaky laugh escapes me. “Yeah, I agree.” Mitch would absolutely annihilate anyone who hurt Andie or the girls.
Carter claps his hand on my back. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. And thank you for looking out for Allegra. It’s clear she adores you, and you have no idea how much easier Lana Mae and I can rest now knowing she has you on her side.”
I blink, trying to clear the haze from my eyes. It’s probably dust or something, definitely not tears. “So, you guys don’t hate me?”
His head falls back with a booming laugh that fills the locker room and eases the tension that has made my limbs feel like heavy tree trunks all day. “I’d only dislike you if youhadn’ttaught that creep a lesson.”
A smile tugs at my mouth. “Sorry for ruining your visit this weekend.”
“Don’t be. We’re extending our time here a bit, actually. We wanted to spend more time with Allegra. And you.”
An easy grin spreads across my face. I find myself genuinely looking forward to their time here—but then, Ally and her twenty missed calls pops in my head and my smile falls. Panic builds in my chest at the shameful reminder that I’ve been avoiding my girlfriend all day—if she still even wants to be my girlfriend after the way I’ve acted.
“Is Ally okay?” I blurt. “Is she here?”
Carter smiles. “She’s right outside. And she’s waiting not-so-patiently to talk to you. I pulled the dad card and told her I wanted to have a word with you first.”
I shoot to my feet, and Carter stands, too.
“Thank you,” I tell him, extending my good hand once more.
“I respect the hell out of you for what you did today,” he says with a firm shake, then strides out of the room.
I stand there, staring at the door for a moment until it opens again and Ally slips inside. She’s wearing black leggings and a jersey…not a Lions jersey, but my lucky Arlington U jersey.
Hope soars in my heart at the sight of her, until I notice that her eyes are red-rimmed like she’s been crying all day. That’s all it takes for me to rush to her and pull her into my arms.
“Baby,” I whisper, my voice cracking as she sinks against me. I hold her tightly to me, filled with regret. “I’m so sorry.”
“You better be apologizing for ignoring me all day and not for knocking Tyler out,” she says, her voice muffled against my suit jacket.
I pull back to look at her, cupping her face with my uninjured hand as she looks up at me with fiery brown eyes.
“I’m sorry for both.” I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head. “I just saw him hovering over you, and somethingcame over me…the thought of someone hurting you, Ally—it’s too much. I love you too much to let anyone ever hurt you again.”
Her hands come up to my face, gently guiding my eyes back to hers, which are now soft and twinkling. “I love you too, Noah Downsby. You’re the best man I’ve ever met. And thank you,” she pauses, one lonesome tear trailing down her cheek. “For protecting me. I’ve never been so glad to see anyone as when I saw you furiously moving toward me in that hallway earlier.”
For the first time all day, maybe for the first time in my life, I feel completely whole and content. Her words are like a hug to my soul. A soul that I didn’t realize was lonely until I met her.
“Always,” I whisper before leaning in and taking her mouth with mine. The kiss is soft and gentle, achingly tender. I lean away just enough to rub the tip of my nose along hers. “I love you so damn much.”
“I need you to promise me you won’t hide away from me again. Through the good and the bad, we’re here for each other. We’ll love each other through it all, okay?”
“I promise.” I swallow the emotion welling in my throat, unsure what on earth I did to deserve this woman in my arms. “You come first, no matter what. I’m all in.”
“My Noah,” she responds, her voice filled with so much love, so much emotion, that I feel it in my chest.
She removes her hands from my face, looping them around my waist and hugging me. “The Lions are kicking the Fire Cats’ asses, by the way,” Ally whispers against my chest.
My eyes widen in a glance toward the clock hung across the room. The guys will be coming in here any moment andstripping. “You need to get out of here before you see a bunch of naked hockey players.”
She chuckles, reluctantly releasing me and taking a step toward the door. “One hockey player is more than enough for me.”
