Page 128 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“I didn’t. Well, not just for you. It was time.”
“I could come with you.” I shrug. “If you want. I don’t have anywhere I need to be for a day or two. The team has a break for the next two days and by then I might be heading somewhere else.”
Her face falls as the meaning registers. Tears fill her eyes. “Ash. No. He can’t do this. The team means everything to you. You can’t let him trade you.”
“He didn’t do this. I did. This team did mean everything to me, but this thing between us…it means more.”
Her face twists in pain.
I close the distance between us and raise a hand to her cheek to catch a tear with my thumb. “This is a good thing. I can’t ask you to make a life with me when it means having him in our lives, and Bridge…I want to make a life with you. I know you have a few months left of school, but once I get settled somewhere then maybe you can look for a job there. Or we’ll do long distance. It’s all negotiable except you. I love you so damn much and I’m really hoping you feel the same. I want to date you and tell the whole damn world that I’ve fallen for you. I don’t want to hide.”
Instead of saying the words back, she kisses me. The stress of the past few days lessens. It doesn’t mean I won’t miss this place, but I know I made the right decision. I can’t play hockey forever. Maybe someday we can come back. My mind is already conjuring up the next twenty years with this woman. I don’t know what the future has in store, but today it’s me and Bridget against the world. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
38
A PROPER SEND-OFF
BRIDGET
Ashand I spend the rest of the day in bed. The sun is setting when my stomach rumbles loudly.
Ash’s mouth curves into a smile. “Wanna grab some food and then head to your parents?”
“I should probably wait until tomorrow now. They’ll be in bed by the time I drive there.”
“Okay. We’ll go in the morning.”
“You really don’t have to come with me.”
“I want to be there. I’ll stay in the truck while you talk with them if it’s something you want to do on your own. I just can’t stand the thought of you being alone afterward.”
I nuzzle into his chest. Guilt still weighs heavily on me. I believe that he loves me and that he wants to be with me, but I worry that while Ash has been this amazing addition to my life, the things I’ve brought him are clouded with all that he’s lost.
A knock at the door makes me sit up.
“Come in,” I call.
Everly opens the door and pokes her head in. “Hey. You two decent?”
“Yes,” I say at the same time Ash says, “Never.”
Everly laughs quietly. “We have company.”
Ash and I exchange a glance.
“Who?” I ask.
“Yo, losers.” Mav tosses an arm around Everly’s shoulders, looking as casual as if he lived here. “Time to party.”
“Party? Where?”
“All shall be revealed in time.” He chuckles and flashes a mischievous grin. “I’m here to make sure you both get there. My SUV is outside.”
“We’ll follow you,” Ash says. “I’m not getting in a vehicle with you without a lot more details.”
“Just trust me.”
The party, as it turns out, is at Ash’s place. His living room is filled with Wildcat players.
