“Would it be okay with you? If I did it again? I don’t want to bother you if you’re busy.”
“By all means, big gesture away. Should I—meet you down there?”
I glance at the guys, their eyes all directed at me with solemn pleas, like lonely puppy dogs that desperately need a good scratch behind their ears.
While I appreciate all their help, there’s no way I’m doing all this in front of them.
“I think it’d be best if I meet you inside.” I holler.
Wes’s shoulders slump.
“Killjoy,” Grady mutters.
“Who is a good goaty?” Big Ed coos.
Coop plugs his nose, backing away from Gio. “Dude, what the heck did you eat? It’s rank.”
“Well, I’ll be in here.” Aulie smiles, her cheeks coloring pink.
With a deep breath, I leave the guys on the grass in front of Wentworth Mansion and make my way up to the parlor room, where we danced, following the soft sounds of Aulie playing “Yellow” on the piano. Apparently that moment meant something to her too.
With every note that brings me closer to her, my heart pounds. After I admit my feelings for her, there’s no going back. She’ll know exactly how bad I’ve had it for her for years, and I can only hope that she’ll still want to be with me after and that I won’t come across as too emotional for her.
The wooden floorboards creak as I step into the parlor, and Aulie pauses her playing and turns to me. “Hi,” she says bashfully. Slowly, her eyes rake over the tight vest and breeches I purchased for this.
A smile tugs the corner of my mouth up as she rakes her teeth over her lower lip.
“You know, I saw an interesting video yesterday.”
“Did you?”
“Mmhmm.” I step forward, standing further into the room, with my hands tucked behind my back. Too anxious for stillness, I pace over the blue and white area rug in the middle of the room. “Curious thing, I left for Boston thinking I had a girlfriend who understood my feelings for her, but I guess I wasn’t clear. So, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to make a few things expressively clear to you.”
“I suppose I would be open to listening to that.”
“Good.” I turn sharp on my heel and pin my stare on her. On an inhale, I ready to give her my heart on a silver platter, the one she’s always owned. After I admit this truth, there will be no questioning how I feel. “The truth is, Aulie—the tattoo, the one right here—” I gesture to my heart. “It’s about you.”
“What?” Aulie’s head shoots up.
I clear my throat and start reciting the lines of prose inked on me since the summer we were reintroduced.
“She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes.
Those lines, they’re about you.”
“But you’ve had it for years,” she whispers incredulously.
“I’ve been yours for years. I’m sorry I haven’t been clearer about that, but that’s the god’s honest truth, Dessy. And I want to make sure you know that. I thought there would be nothing harder than baring my soul to someone. I was wrong. Watching a video of you where you doubted the depths of my affection and thinking I valued something more than you was far worse. So here I am, telling you who I am—a man that is hopelessly and utterly yours—a man who always has been.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not fully comprehending all of this.” Her lips wobble like she doesn’t know whether to smile or cry. “Hockey’s always been the number one priority in your life. How could I possibly be higher than that to you?”
“Actually Dessy, it never has been. Since the day I started my professional career, I’ve carried you with me everywhere. What’s my sweater number?”
