Page 103 of Faking All the Way
I hesitate. The words are right there, sitting on the tip of my tongue, heavy and terrifying and true. The urge to take the leap and tell him how I feel about him, how this stopped being fake for me somewhere along the way, rises inside me like an unstoppable force.
But before I can make find the courage to speak, his phone rings.
He pulls it out of his pocket, sucking in a breath when he sees the screen. “It’s my agent. I should take this.”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
He answers, pacing toward the window. “Brody? What’s the word?”
I watch from across the room, my heart thudding as I try to read his body language, the way his whole posture shifts, the way his free hand runs through his hair.
“That’s incredible, Brody,” he finally says. “Thank you. This is… yeah. I’ll call you tomorrow morning and we’ll figure out all the details.”
He hangs up and turns to me, his face lit up with joy. “It’s done. We’ve reached an agreement with the Aces. Pending my medical clearance, which should be just a formality, the deal is done. I’m going to Denver.”
“That’s amazing, Asher! I’m so thrilled for you.”
He lifts me off my feet, spinning me around a little, and whatever I was about to say suddenly feels foolish. He’s about to start the next chapter of his life in Denver, and no matter how amazing this time we’ve shared has been, I’m just a detour along the way.
So I push down the words I had almost convinced myself to say and focus on celebrating with him instead.
Because no matter what, Iamhappy for him.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kat
The days that follow Asher’s offer are a whirlwind, giving me a glimpse of what a professional hockey player’s life actually looks like. The constant motion, the phone calls, the interviews. It’s a world I never really thought about before, and watching him navigate it is both fascinating and a little intimidating.
On Monday, Asher is gone before dawn, heading to Denver for his medical exam. I’m half asleep when he leans over me in the dark, pressing a kiss to my temple. His lips are warm against my skin, and I can smell his spicy and smoky cologne, the one I’ve gotten so used to.
“Good luck,” I mumble, my eyes still closed. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, bright eyes. I’ll call you later.”
Then he’s gone, and I drift back into sleep. By the time I actually wake up properly a few hours later, sunlight streaming through the windows, the cabin feels too quiet. Empty in a way it hasn’t felt since this whole crazy thing started. I wander intothe kitchen to make coffee, and the silence feels wrong, as if something is missing.
That afternoon, I’m bent over the desk at my art station when my phone buzzes. When I tap to read the message, it makes me smile despite the hollow feeling that’s been sitting in my chest all day.
ASHER: Passed with flying colors. Doc says I’m in better shape than guys ten years younger. Denver, here I come.
I’m still smiling at my phone, reading the message twice, when it rings. Asher’s name flashes across the screen and I answer quickly.
“Congratulations! I knew you’d pass.”
“Thanks, bright eyes.” His voice is warm and happy. “I’m signing the contract today. The announcement will go out to the media soon. This is it. It’s official.”
“That’s amazing, Asher. Really.” And it is. I’m truly thrilled for him. “How has the trip been? Tell me everything.”
“It’s been amazing.” I can hear him moving around his hotel room, probably pacing like he does when he’s excited. “I met a few guys on the team. The captain, Noah Blake, and some of the other forwards. Some of the coaching staff too. Everyone seems great, really welcoming. And the facilities are incredible. I think I’m going to really like Denver.”
He pauses, and I can hear him take a breath. “I’ll be starting in January. They want me integrated with the team as soon as possible.”
January.
My heart gives a heavy thump, something twisting in my chest. It’s silly, because this thing between us was always supposed to only be for December. That was the deal we made, the arrangement we agreed to. But hearing an actual month, an actual timeline, makes it feel so much more real.
The end date is written in stone now. No more pretending it might last longer.
