Page 82 of Slapshot
Jonah drops his head to the table. “If this guy can get a girl, anyone can.”
“I could wait and put it on a billboard, or you could just say you accept my apology and kiss me.” She’s still basically yelling, but I’ll take it. This girl, the one yelling and stomping through my house, she’s the girl I fell in love with.
“Really?” Hard work for the win. Or maybe it’s just love conquering all. I’m going to choose to continue to believe that love is like everything else – it works only as hard as you do. And I’m a damn hard worker. That’s never going to change.
“Really.”
“Say it again.”
Her eyelashes flutter closed, and her chest rises and falls with a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Lex. Truly.”
I shake my head. “No, the other thing about wanting me.”
Her mouth pulls into a smile. With an eye roll, she does. “I want you, you big idiot. Kiss me before I come to my senses.”
So I do. I hold back nothing. I kiss her like my lips might be the magic touch to erase all her past pain. A balm and a promise. I can’t change what she’s been through, but I can show her every day how much I want her. Now, today, tomorrow. If she’s willing to fight, so am I.
25
Kaitlyn
“What can I get you?” the girl behind the counter at The Green Bean asks when Lex and I step up to order.
“Oh, umm…” I peruse the menu like I don’t have the thing memorized.
“I’ll take a small coffee,” Lex says while I continue to deliberate.
“I’ll try the vanilla iced latte. Small.”
“I got it.” Lex pulls out his wallet and hands over his card to the cashier.
“Thank you. As soon as I get another job, I’ll repay you.”
“Not necessary. My mom got a bonus at work and sent me some cash for essentials.”
“Buying your girlfriend coffee isn’t essential.”
“Agree to disagree.” He kisses me and we move down to get our drinks.
Vivian is here studying for a test and we take seats across from her.
“What’d you get this time?” she asks as I take a sip.
“Vanilla latte. Not bad. This might be it.”
“Finally found your drink?”
“I think so.” I lean my head on Lex’s shoulder and he wraps an arm around my waist.
“You two are killing my vibe here.”
“Sorry, not sorry,” I say and kiss him on the cheek.
“Hey, man.” Someone claps Lex on the shoulder, and we all turn. “Good luck at tomorrow’s game. BU’s looking good this year.”
“Yeah.” Lex chuckles and swivels in his seat to give the guy his attention.
I turn back to Vivian. “My boyfriend is more popular than me.”
