Page 31 of Ready to Snap
“You need privacy. Say no more. I get it—I wouldn’t want you listening in on my therapy sessions either.” Elle offers a sweet smile and kisses me on the cheek. I breathe a sigh of relief, and as the elevator doors open, I take her hand. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know. I just had to get away from those assholes. I’m so sorry, Elle. Truly. I promised I’d protect your job, and I didn’t.”
She tugs on my hand, stopping us in our tracks. “It was my choice. We didn’t think this through, but it’ll be okay. Nora has connections with the baseball team here in New York, or maybe could help me find something in Ireland.” An involuntary growl rumbles in my chest. “Down, tiger. I don’t want to move across the pond. There are rumors of an opening with the Dynasty.”
“Russ’ hockey team?”
I nod. “I worked with their owner, Dean Thomas, when they were creating a program to offer free therapy for the players. The current Director of Public Relations is leaving, and they reached out a few weeks ago. I declined at the time becauseit’s in another country. At least if it was California, or Minnesota…”
“It’s not New York.”
“Yeah,” she sighs, squeezing my hand tighter. “Can we talk about this later? Some place less public?”
I lead her to my truck, then pull out my duffle bag and both of our lunches, handing her one. “I have training, but you’re staying with me until you get a new job. If there’s a possibility that you may get hired on with a team in another state, or another fucking country, I want you all to myself until you go.” Taking out an extra keycard for my place, I tuck it into her pocket. “I waited too long for you—I’m not giving up without a fight.”
Elle cups my cheek, and I lean into her touch. “There’s no fight to be had here—not any more. But I can’t move in with you, even if it’s temporary. I quit so we can see where this goes, not to run off into the sunset like some sort of fairytale.”
“Are you sure?” I cover her hand with mine and kiss her palm. Every fiber of my being is screaming to steal her away. I have more money than I could spend in three lifetimes, but one night cost Elle her dream job. I need to do something—anything—to fix it. My heart aches at the thought of her being hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles away.
She lifts onto her toes and kisses me. It’s not the same fire I’m used to, but I’ll take it. “I’ll come by tonight. Text me when you’re home and I’ll get a rideshare.”
“Fuck that. I’ll hire a car service for you.”
“Will,” she warns. “I don’t need you to be my knight in shining armor. I’ll see you tonight.” My stomach is in knots as she kisses me again—this time only a peck. Taking my hand, we make our way back to the elevators. Today is going to bethe longest of my life, but it’ll all be worth it the moment she’s back home with me tonight.
After meeting with my strength and conditioning coach, an extra long session with physical therapy, and checking in with a few doctors, I’m finally cleared to leave the training facility and start on Sunday. I couldn’t care less—my focus is on the girl I’m deathly afraid of losing. On the drive home, I’m a nervous wreck. Elle is used to putting out fires on my behalf, and I hate that I haven’t been able to help her. She doesn’t need me, but I feel helpless.
Once I’m home, I turn off the crockpot and pull out the tri-tip to rest, setting the vegetables aside. My entire kitchen smells more amazing by the minute as I add a few garlic cloves, cilantro, cumin, a dash of sugar, salt, and the veggies to the blender for a quick salsa. As I’m slicing into the steak for tacos, there’s a knock at the door. I rush over to answer it, hoping it’s Elle.
My entire body relaxes for the first time in hours as I open it to find my girl. “Hey, gorgeous. You used the key for the elevator, but didn’t just come in?”
“Why would I? This is your home.”
I stop myself from admitting one day I want it to be hers as well. “Dinner is almost ready.” I open the door wider for her to come in. She slips off her shoes and sets them next to mine. Turning on her heel, she walks backwards further in, a devilish smirk tilting her lips.
“What’s got you so excited?”
“Nothing,” she sings, pivoting once she’s in the kitchen. “Wow! It smells amazing in here.”
Before she can get any further, I grip her hips and hoist her onto the counter, making her squeak. “Don’t move. I just needfive minutes to finish prepping the meat and portion out the rest for this week.”
“No rush. Lunch was great, by the way. Thank you.”
I step between her legs and grip her ass, pulling her flush with me. “You're welcome. So… when are you going to tell me what had you grinning like a Cheshire cat as you walked in?”
“I got a job.” Her gleeful expression falls. “With the Québec City Dynasty.”
My heart leaps into my throat. Is this it? Is this how it all ends? “Canadian hockey, eh? That’s… great.” I try to keep my voice light, but she likely sees right through it—I’ve never been great at fibbing. Still, I’m grateful we’ll at least be in the same time zone.
“I start in a week,” she timidly offers, then quickly adds, “Don’t worry, Darling, I’m not going to fall for some hot hockey star. Russ is taken, remember.” Closing the distance, she kisses me, as if it’ll calm my nerves. “The flight is less than two hours. Unless…”
“Unless what?” I pull back, my eyes searching hers for an answer I can’t seem to decipher. There’s so much angst in her expression, I don’t know what to make of it.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind about this,” she finally replies, barely above a whisper.
“Changed my mind? No.” I sigh in relief. “I’ll hate that you’re not here, but you’re worth it, Elle. I’m retiring at the end of the season anyway. We’ll take it one step at a time.” I lean in and press a soft kiss to her neck, loving the little moan she tries to stifle. “Now, the next time I make you dinner, I don’t care where we are. I expect you on the counter, just like this… but naked.”
CHAPTER 12
