Page 49 of Power Move
I lay my hand on his shoulder. His muscles are stiff, but he doesn’t shrug me off. “I should’ve held you and thanked you for having my back, and kissed all your bruises.”
He gives me a watery smile. “That would’ve been nice.”
“My emotions got in the way. I’ll try to do better.”
“Emotions mean you care.”
“And I do. I’m also here because I’m worried about you. I’m sorry you can’t play.”
Sage’s soft smile drops into a hard frown. “It’s a stupid injury. One tiny bone. I can’t play hockey or guitar…” His voicebreaks. A muscle in his jaw stands out as he stares hard at the sand, clenching fistfuls. After a moment, he clears his throat. “I can’t help anyone. I let the team down. Let you down. In that interview, you said you counted on me, that you needed me. Now, I’m not any good to anyone.”
“Stop.” Desperate to soothe him, I rub circles on his back. “Just stop. You’resogood. You didn’t let anyone down. If anything, you gave us a chance we didn’t have. This game is a team effort, but you’re a major reason why we won enough games to make the playoffs. That’s a fact. Without you, our season would end on Thursday. Now, we have a chance for more.”
“And I won’t be a part of it.”
“That sucks more than I can say. Will we win without you? I don’t know. We’re already so depleted, missing big pieces and holding everyone else together with duct tape. Will we miss you? Hell yeah. No one, and I mean no one can take your place.”
He shrugs. “You don’t have to say that.”
I wrap my arm around his waist and tug him to me because I need him close. Need him tofeelthat I mean what I say. “I mean it. You’re a hell of a teammate and friend. You’re both those things to me too, and more, lover, boyfriend… a partner. I didn’t think I could feel this way about someone, but knowing you’re there for me, that I can trust in that, inyou, is everything.”
He drags his eyes to meet mine, and in them I feel all his worries, insecurities, strength, passion, and care. “I…”
“I’m in love with you.”
His eyes widen and he jerks his head back like I’ve startled him. “You are?”
My heart beats fast. “Yeah.” I swallow hard, “I’m in love with you and I want you to be safe, and I care so much about you, it overtakes everything else.”
Jumping to his knees, he throws his arms around my neck, his sweet expression earnest. “I’m in love with you too. I would do anything for you. Anything. Fight for you, stand beside you, take care of you. You’re mine. Finding you, having you accept me as I am, I never thought that could happen.”
He loves me too. The weight of that sinks into me. We’re in this together. Holding each other’s hearts in our hands.
I encircle his waist with my arms because there is no way I’m letting him go. Closing my eyes, I drink in the sound of the sea, the smell of salt air, the sun on my skin, Sage in my arms, and that he loves me. For real. I open them, gazing at the man I love. “Knowing you love me too… has turned this mess of a day into something good.”
“Same here.” He rests his forehead to mine, smoothing a hand up my neck and into my hair. “How’s your shoulder and back?”
“They hurt. I’m not allowed to play tomorrow. Maybe not Thursday either.” I slide my hands under his shirt, the warmth of his skin healing the broken physical and emotional parts of me. “Holding onto you makes dealing with everything else easier.”
“It does. Coach said I can fly back with you all after the game tomorrow. So we can sit together and watch them play.” Sighing, he glances at his injured hand resting on my shoulder. “Thisisa stupid injury. I hate sitting out while the rest of you continue.”
I brush my lips over his scratchy cheek. “It’s the worst part of being a player. I felt the same way when I couldn’t play. We’ll get through this together.”
“I like the together part.”
“Me too.” Hugging him to me, I look out at the ocean and the setting sun. “You impressed everyone. Our team is better with you, there’s no denying that. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re a Metro next season.”
Sage’s smile is soft and shy. “That would be awesome. I want to be your teammate, on and off the ice.”
“I want that too. And I’ll fight to make it happen.”
He tilts his face to mine. My heart tripping, I lean in. Our lips touch, and breathing him in, tasting him, I’m slammed by how much he means to me, and how I’ll strive every day to show him how much he is loved.
Deepening the kiss, he clings to me. I slide my hand into his hair, keeping him close, chasing kiss after kiss until my heart settles and he sighs against me, completely at ease.
“Ready to get out of here?” I brush his hair off his face. “We can head back, order room service.” I check my phone and find messages from Sage’s friends and mine. “I got a bunch of texts from the guys, you should probably let them know how you’re doing.”
He smooths his hand over my chest. “We could ask them to meet us for a drink, so I can see everyone at the same time.”
