Page 107 of Breakout
I look at each of them, realizing that what they are saying is true.
Beckett has already started this process with me. He shows up even when I don’t want him to. He always tells me how valued I am with both his words and his actions. He never makes me feel unwanted.
Ever since we met, he has taken his time and the effort to tell me that he thinks the world of me without ever saying the words.
I went from being independent and not needing anyone to not being able to imagine my life without him.
I’m in love with Beckett Hayes.
It hits me like a freight train.
I’m in love with him, and it scares me to death.
“Oh, here they come.” Cora stands up, yelling Kellan’s name as if he can hear her. Grace claps, looking for Clay.
I stand right alongside them, but I’m frozen.
I’m in love with Beckett Hayes.
It’s the only thing in my head.
Then I see him. He skates out onto the ice, his eyes already on the stands. When he sees me, he taps his finger like our own little code.
It’s like he’s saying, “You’re my wife.”
His way of showing me that he cares for me. That he wants me.
That he loves me.
Swallowing hard, I hold my hand up and do the same.
When he skates off to warm up, I fall into my seat.
Holy fuck. I am in love with my husband.
We. Just. Won.
The crowd is going crazy as the guys all skate to the middle of the ice, hugging one another.
We just fucking won.
It was a knockdown, drag-out fight, but we won. It came down to the very last minute, Clay getting the score to put us on top.
I’m so fucking happy. This is the best end to my senior year. It’s another sign that I’m making the right choice.
I’m not ready to give up hockey yet. Especially not for my father’s business.
Looking up into the crowd, I spot her right away. It’s the first thing I do every time I skate onto the ice. I look for the most important person in my life.
My wife.
She is crying as the girls hold each other, watching us. I blow Peyton a kiss, not giving a fuck what it looks like. She pretends to catch it, holding it to her heart.
We have made so much progress.
I said it before, but I will say it again. Marrying Peyton was the best decision of my life. It set so much in motion that I hadn’t considered. Like how easy it was for me to give up everything my family has been planning for me and go for what I want.
I would have never done that before Peyton. I had such a fear of letting my father down, but when she became my priority, none of that mattered anymore.
