Apollo elbows Artemis. “She’s learning quickly.”
I squeeze Ares’s cheeks, plant as big a kiss on his lips as I’m comfortable doing with his sweaty twin brothers watching every move, and I turn to leave.
A hand grabs my wrist, and when I turn back to face Ares, his eyes ignite. He walks me back to the cold, concrete wall, and hekissesme.
I sag against the wall and into the sweaty man kissing me and sigh into his mouth. When he finally comes up for air, his forehead meets mine, our noses touch, and his breath tickles my face.
“I love you, Ares.”
He plants another quick kiss on my lips. “I love you,tesoro. And thank you.” With that he turns to face his brothers, as I walk away from them, Apollo asks if Ares feels better, and it’s Artemis who replies for him.
“His anchor is here. He’s fine.”
I stumble into the wall, palm outstretched, the other one pressed to my chest as I take a few deep breaths. I always thought I’d need an anchor; I never thought I’d be one.
CHAPTER34
Eloise
When I take my seat in the stands, Savannah hands me a drink. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I played it safe with water.”
“Thanks.”
She’s shoveling popcorn into her mouth like it’s her last meal. “Want some?”
“I’m good.” Actually, I’m starving, but the idea of eating without knowing what the next period will bring, makes me queasy.
“How was he?” Athena doesn’t take her eyes off the freshly surfaced ice pad.
“Mad. Like, really mad. Short of having him take me against the wall, I did my best.”
She grunts. “I’m sure you did.” She dissolves into laughter.
“What?”
Savannah crunches on a mouthful of popcorn before either answer me. “I bet she’s imagining Ares trying to figure out how to fuck you with all his goalie gear on.” She joins Athena in her laughter.
“I hadn’t thought of the logistics, okay? There were way too many people around for me to consider that. The most he got was a kiss, a reminder he’s got this, and I told him to pull his head out of his backside.” I keep to myself that I’m sure his penis would have found a way through those pads if he wanted it badly enough.
Athena holds out her fist, and I bump it with mine. “He better not fuck this up.”
“Athena, I think wanting a win when they’re down by four goals is a big ask.”
“I meant you, amiga.” She pats my thigh. “He better not fuck things up withyou.”
I’m all warm and fuzzy inside as the second period starts. The idiot in front continues to get louder with each passing second on the game clock, but our boys look stronger, more focused down on the ice.
Any time a Snow Pirate gets the puck, the Raccoons swarm around him. They’ve clearly tightened their defense because the Snow Pirates barely get near Ares, but when they do, he’s ready.
Apollo scores the next goal, and while it’s five to two, it makes me feel better. The next time play starts, two of the Snow Pirates shoot up the ice toward my boy. I scoot to the end of my seat, breath caught somewhere between hope and a prayer.
Ares pulls out a big save followed by two rebounds as he struggles to cover the puck to stop play. When the whistle blows, I spring to my feet, cheering, loud and proud. I’m the only one in the entire arena screaming for Ares, but I don’t care. My guy is back. I hope.
Some of the other Raccoons skate past Ares, tapping his pads or patting his shoulder. The message is crystal clear, even to me: we’ve got you.
I never thought I’d be choked up at a game, but this display of brotherhood unfolding in front of me is a sucker punch to the feelings.
Loud guy drops another F bomb and Athena mutters, “That’s it.” She stands up and steps over the empty seat in front of Savannah, giving the loud guy and his two friends a great view of her butt in those jeans.
