Drew sighed. “Thanks, man, I appreciate that.”
“Don’t get used to it. I’m still gonna kick your ass if you hurt Emerson.”
I saw him try and hide a smile. “Noted. Anyway, Luck, I need to head off to practice. I’ll speak to you later. I love you.”
“Okay, babe, have fun. I love you, too.” I hung up.
“I love you,” Jupiter mimicked in a high-pitched, girly voice.
My brother, such a fucking douche.
But I had zero comeback, especially when he’d actually been really sweet, and surprisingly helpful.
“Thanks for saying those things to Drew. He’s found the last two weeks hard without Felix, and he’s been worrying about him a lot.”
“That’s understandable. He’ll be okay though.” He patted my knee, “But it’s the name of the game. We all live with the knowledge that one accident could be all it takes, and hockey is brutal as fuck.”
I let out a huff, because I knew all this. I knew. And Felix’s accident had only cemented the knowledge further, for both of us. I had no doubt it had a lot to do with why we’d been so clingy with one another the two past weeks, even more so than we normally were. That and Richard.
“Emerson, if you’re going to seriously date an athlete, then you need to know the deal.”
I turned in my seat so I could face him. “I know the deal. I grew up with you, remember?”
“Then consider that a reminder.”
I swiped away his hand as he tried to ruffle my hair.
“Anyway, where are we parking?”
“At the loft.” I put the co-ordinates in the GPS lady and she fired up. “Listen to what she says.”
We drove into the underground parking garage and Drew’s space before hopping out. I watched as Jupiter put on a thick winter parka, followed by a beanie, pulling it down low, then flipped his fur lined hood over the top.
I couldn’t even.
“You know you’re dressed like you’re going to the Arctic, right?”
“Hey, it’s fucking cold. It’s very nearly freezing. And we’re going to be outside, walking. My Californian skin needs to be kept warm.”
“You know what? If you ever get a girlfriend, you better pray she’s less high maintenance than you. Actually, ignore me, there’s no way she could be more.”
He shoved me in the shoulder. “Whatever. It’s freezing cold and you know it, you’ve just got used to New York. Come back to Cali and you’ll soften right up.”
“No, thanks. I’m here for the long term.”
I never thought I’d find anywhere I loved more than California. And if I hadn’t met Drew, I’d probably be back there. He’d changed everything.
But New York wasn’t my home, Drew was.
And I knew that wherever he went, I would follow.
“Brrrrrrr,” shook Jupiter dramatically as we stepped out into the frigid air.
I’d call him a drama queen, but he had a point. I zipped up my own thick parka. At least my hood wasn’t fur lined. I wasn’t a total sap.
“Come on then, let’s go.”
Chapter 21
