Page 140 of Forever Wild
“Why can’t they be the same? I get paid to play hockey.” And it never freaking gets old. “What do you want? What makes you happy?”
“I want to be here. I want to watch my nieces grow up and be the fun aunt that babysits and gets to be a part of their daily life, not someone who sweeps in on holidays and an occasional weekend. And I want to go to lunches with Bridget and Grace. Go to every home hockey game and celebrate after at Wild’s. I want to be here with you. This place, you, Ty, Piper, the team, and everyone else, you guys are my home.”
My chest tightens with the weight and sincerity of her words. “I get that.”
“I know that everyone says it’s important to go out on your own and find your place in the world, but what if I’ve already found mine?”
“Then I can’t argue with that.”
“You don’t think I’m giving up or taking the easy way out?”
“I’ve rarely known you to do either of those things, but I thought you loved the work you’re doing?”
“Some of it, but honestly, it’s more fun as a hobby. I like designing for me.” She lets out a sigh so heavy I can feel her turmoil. “My mom and Tyler will be disappointed.”
“Your brother just wants you to be happy.”
“He wants me to be settled so he can stop worrying.”
“Okay, fine. Maybe that’s a little true, but if he knew how you felt, I guarantee he’d be thrilled you want to stay. He misses you. We all do. Me most of all.” I wink and she finally gives me that gorgeous smile.
“It’s going to be okay. You can be or do anything you want.” I hug her to my chest and feel her relax under my hold.
“Anything?” She looks up at me with those hazel eyes that do mein every single time.
“You already have something in mind?”
Her face lights up and she looks bashful as she says, “I think I might want to be an agent, like James. Except not for hockey players.”
“Really?” I’ve no more than asked the question than I can picture her bossing athletes around, managing their schedules and keeping them in line. In fact, I see it well. “I think you’d be great at that.”
“You do?” she asks. “I don’t even know what all it entails, but I understand athletes and I’m used to them being demanding and particular.”
“You talking about me?” I bury my head in her neck and bite the smooth skin lightly, then suck on the same spot.
We’re tangled up together in an instant, clinging to each other and smiling. Fuck, I had no idea that it could feel so good to be with someone like this.
I kiss the top of her nose then jump out of bed.
Laughing, she asks, “Where are you going?”
“I’m calling James.”
“What?” She scrambles after me, but I get my phone and hold it up above my head where she can’t reach it. “No. I don’t want the job because you asked him. I’m going to apply like any other person.”
“Ev, you’re not any other person. And trust me, he’ll be thrilled.”
I pull up James’ number and call him while Everly watches on horrified.
“It’s midnight,” she squeaks.
“He’ll be up.”
It barely rings twice before James answers.
“Hey. What’s up? Everything good?”
“Yeah. All good. I just had a question.”
