Page 64 of Breakout
Seeing my name on the back of her jersey did something to me. I already liked calling her my wife and pretending she was mine, but seeing that had a whole new level of caveman overcoming me. I wanted to ravage her right then and there. I would have too if I didn’t have a hockey game to win.
That’s over, and the win is under my belt, which means one thing.
The rest of tonight, Peyton will be my sole focus. The things I plan to do to her.
“You coming out with us, man?” Brett asks.
I shake my head. “Not this time.”
Seeing his face fall has me feeling like a dick. Ever since he hurt himself and had to medically redshirt this season, he’s not been himself.
“I can go. Let me make a call.”
He shakes his head. “I’m fine. Keep your plans.”
“Brett, if you want me to go, I will,” I tell him, seriously.
“I’ll have enough fun for the both of us,” he tells me. “Go do whatever you have to do.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
Wyatt comes over and claps me on the shoulder. “I’ve got him. You go on.”
I feel like a dick and insist one more time. “Nah, going out with you guys will be much more fun.”
It’s a bald-faced lie. One that Wyatt well knows, but he doesn’t call me on it.
“Nah, I think Brett and I have something to do tonight. A secret mission.”
That has Brett perking up. I don’t know what the mission is, but Brett is all in.
“Go away, Beckett. We have secret shit to do.”
I laugh, leaving them behind as I mentally thank Wyatt for taking care of Brett. I really need to pull him to the side and have another conversation with him, but not tonight. Not after that win.
Tomorrow. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.
Tonight, it is all about Peyton.
Hurrying through my shower, I head out of the locker room first. All of the girls are there waiting.
I ache to stride up to Peyton and take her in my arms. To have her jump into my arms like I’ve seen Grace and Cora do to Clay and Kellan. I yearn for that connection, but not to just anyone.
Only to Peyton.
Instead, I come to a stop beside them, my eyes on Peyton. She looks up at me shy, as Grace steps up to give me a hug.
“Good game,” she tells me.
Cora is next to hug me. “You guys played like beasts.”
Then it’s Peyton’s turn. Usually, she would shy away from a hug, but tonight is different. She is different.
She steps into me, coming up on her toes to wrap her arms around my neck. Then she presses her body against me as she whispers in my ear, “I’m so proud of you, Beck.”
Those six words coming from her mouth nearly bring me to my knees. I used to always strive to make my father proud of me until I realized what a futile attempt it was. I’ve never been told I’ve made anyone proud in my life.
Hearing it from her makes it extra special.
