Page 102 of Stay
CASSIDY
Cole drops a kiss against the crown of my head. “You’re going to be great out there.”
His arms band around me as people walk past on the way to the stands. Excitement charges the frigid air around us.
“I’ll be in the bleachers the entire time,” he murmurs when I remain silent.
He’s doing everything he can to help settle my nerves. I haven’t played in a real game since high school. Last year, I rode the bench during the season. Even though this is just an intramural game, I’m choking on my nerves. Cole will be watching, and I don’t want to embarrass myself or disappoint him. More than anything, I want to make him proud.
He presses another kiss against the top of my head before whispering, “Just have fun out there. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s always been about.”
I know he’s giving me solid advice, but the nerves won’t stop churning in my belly. They probably won’t stop until I get out on the ice for warm-ups.
No pep talk is going to change that.
With a smile that makes his dimples pop, he slaps my ass. “Now get in the locker room and I’ll see you after the game.”
I reach up onto my tiptoes before stroking my lips across his in a way that drives him crazy.
A low growl rumbles up from deep within his chest. “You better get going before I scoop you up and carry your ass out of here.”
I grab my hockey bag and head to the locker room. Just as I’m about ten strides away, he calls my name.
“Cassidy.”
Swinging around, my brows lift in silent question.
A smile curves his lips as his gaze locks on mine. “I love you.”
Unable to hold back the flood of emotion, my bag gets dropped to the floor as I fly into his arms. He wraps me up tight before picking me up and spinning me around in a circle.
“I love you too,” I whisper.
“But I loved you first.”
“I’m good with that.” I laugh before his lips collide with mine.
When he nibbles at my neck, I squeal. As excited as I was for this game, I wish we could head home and get lost in each other for the rest of the night.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Sammy rolls her eyes as she walks past, “get a room.” Then she adds, “After the game. Get a roomafterthe game.”
After she disappears, I say, “I’d better go.” With a grin, I back away, “I got me a game to win tonight.”
Gaze pinned to mine, the smile fades from his face as heat flashes in his gorgeous, whiskey-colored eyes. “And I’ll be here, waiting to get that room afterward.”
A grin overtakes my features. “I certainly hope so.”
For a second time, I pick up my bag before blowing him a kiss and pushing my way into the locker room. Rock music blasts from a speaker as the girls talk and laugh, trying to get pumped up. My feet grind to a halt as I take in the moment.
The camaraderie of a team.
The sisterhood of hockey players.
Girls who have your back.
The Dartmouth team hadn’t been like that, or maybe I wasn’t there long enough to experience it. But I have it now with this group of girls, and it makes me feel blessed. It doesn’t matter that I’m not playing for a top college program. These girls, thesewomen, are who I belong with.
I’m struck all over again that none of this would be possible without Cole setting it in motion. I’m lucky he understood what I needed before I was able to realize it for myself. Honestly, I feel so damn lucky to have him in my life. He’s quickly becoming my everything. Sometimes, that’s a scary prospect. But it’s way scarier to imagine my life without him in it.
