Page 59 of Christmas on Ice
I handed Ryleigh to Brenna, who whisked her out of the room as Coach paused the game and stood in front of the TV. “I just got a text from one of my contacts inside the Edge organization that Slocum Bryant’s hand was bent at an odd angle. I’m not going to speculate what that means except that Dexter will probably be leaving us for the rest of the season.” He nodded at Jason. “Life can change in a second, boys. We know that, but if you haven’t experienced it, it’s just a cliché. Treasure every moment that you have, especially with the people you care about.”
He went on, but my brain was stuck on that last line. I got up from the couch and slipped into a spare bedroom to call Alexei, who had texted a few times. He’d been Jason’s roommate before me and wanted to know why he wasn’t texting back.
The call went to voice mail. I sat on the bed, contemplating what to do next, when my phone signaled a video call from his wife, Ginny.
“Hey, Trask. Sorry Alexei missed your call.” She flipped the screen. “Mari needed calming, and sometimes his shoulder is the only thing that works. I swear it’s because he’s so hot all the time. His internal temp, not—well, you know what I mean.”
I smiled as she brought her phone closer to Alexei and their baby. Sure enough, she was passed out on his shoulder. “She’s beautiful. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you,” Ginny said. “So, how’s Jason?”
“White as a sheet. He’s not really talking.”
Alexei motioned for the phone and Ginny passed it to him. “Tell him I’ll call him tomorrow.”
“I will.”
We chatted for a few more minutes, and it became clear to me that I wanted what Alexei and Ginny had. Not someday in the future but now. With Kami. With only Kami.
I’d never had such a strong feeling about anything or anyone. I’d take all she could give, even if it was just a little at first. I needed to find her.
I opened the door, and there she was. Red-rimmed eyes, makeup streaked.
She’d never looked so beautiful.
I held my arms open, and she lunged at me, wrapping her arms tightly around my chest and pushing me back into the room. Behind her, in the lit hallway, Brenna raised a finger to her lips and gently closed the door.
32
Kami
Ipushed Trask into the room and hugged him with everything I had. His arms closed around me as he moved backward to sit on the bed.
I stood and just looked at him. This beautiful, talented, caring soul wanted me, and I had been ready to throw it all away because I was afraid.
How stupid I was.
The time in my car was all I’d needed to say goodbye to my lingering fears. I wanted to be his, all in, wherever life took us.
I still couldn’t speak, so I reached out to cup Trask’s face and leaned in to kiss him. Just a gentle touch to lips. It was enough fuel to find my voice. “I’m sorry, Trask. I was wrong. I want to—can we—”
He cut me off with a kiss that brought me back to the Christmas tree in the park. How had that only been a few weeks ago? This kiss was even more. It felt like coming home. In a way, it was. It was a reunion after being apart, and once again I found myself comparing him with Sutton. For all the times he’d gone away, we’d never come together like this on his return. I’d never missed him as much as I’d missed Trask these last few days.
When I couldn’t breathe anymore, I pulled back. “They say if you let a butterfly go and it comes back to you, it’s yours to keep.”
“I want you to keep me, Trask,” I whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. More than I ever thought I could love anyone. We’ll keep each other. I’ll always fly home to you andonlyyou. I promise.”
“And Ryleigh?” I had to be certain. Her heart was fragile, too.
“And Ryleigh.”
There was no stopping the tears—or my smile—at his words. We were both putting ourselves out there, at the risk of being hurt again, and it was okay. I believed with my heart and soul he cared about us deeply, and that was enough.
He pulled me onto his lap, and we just held each other for a few moments. Content didn’t begin to describe the state of my mind in that moment.
“It’s almost midnight,” he whispered. “Coach is going to set off fireworks in the backyard. Let’s go get Ryleigh?”
