Page 101 of Unraveling Rain
“I’m down,” they say in unison.
I grab a wing from the pile and grin. “I can’t. I’m going to the Cape to see my folks.”
“Oh, I thought you were going back to the little town to see your girl?” Matt says, mid-burger bite.
“She’s coming with me,” I reply, smirking.
“Ohhh, she’s meeting your parents? Wow, man,” Nico says, eyebrows raised. “That’s major. I don’t think we’ve ever seen you in a realrealrelationship before.”
He glances at Blake for confirmation.
“Yeah,” Blake agrees. “Ever since you joined the team, we’ve never seen a girl with you.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think it was in my cards anymore. After Tiffany, I was closed off and completely focused on my career. But Rain is different.”
They all share a look, and my smile fades.
“What?” I ask, suddenly defensive.
“Well,” Nico says carefully, “we just don’t want you to get distracted. We weresoclose last year.”
I start tracing the condensation on my glass.
“I know. That’s why I went to Serene Lookout—to come back stronger. To win that trophy. But she’s different, guys. She makes me want to be better, you know?”
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. With her.
Blake gives me a knowing smile and taps his beer bottle to my glass. “Yeah, man. I know. I hope we get to meet her. Tara will be thrilled when I tell her there’s a new girl for their crew.”
The WAGs are tight—always hanging out during away games and going to home games together. I think Rain will like them.
“Yeah, for sure. We’ll have to plan something,” I say, raising my glass.
“To the Carolina Red Wolves lifting the Cup this season,” I declare.
The guys echo it with hoots and hollers, clinking bottles and glasses across the table.
This is my year. Personally and professionally.
Come hell or high water, I’m lifting the trophy.
And I’m marrying Rain.
Chapter 27
Rain
Idecided to spend my first night without Xander in the RV he got for us.
There’s still some of the casserole he made, so I reheat it in the oven and pull out my phone while it warms.
A smile tugs at my lips as I scroll through our photos. It’s amazing how much we’ve done in just two months.
It’s nothing compared to twenty-eight years, but I can’t remember the last time—at least not in my adultlife—that I’ve been this happy. My smile is big and bright in every single picture.
How did I ever think I could handle long distance?
The sheets smell like him, but his warmth isn’t here. His hard body isn’t curled around mine. His lips aren’t brushing my forehead, whisperingI love youbefore I drift off.
