Page 141 of What About Us

That part was fucking awesome.

But I feel the tension. There’s something simmering that has my gut telling me she’s not okay, but no matter how often I ask her, Ivy denies that anything is amiss.

I set my alarm extra early this morning because I want to sink inside my girl and make sure she thinks of me often over the next thirty-six hours that she’ll be gone, but when I roll over, she’s not in bed with me and the sheets are cool.

So, with a frown, I climb out of bed and use the bathroom, then tug on some sweats and pad out to find her sitting at the island in the kitchen, typing away on her laptop.

“Good morning,” she says, flashing me a smile. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Why are you up?” I walk over and wrap my arms around her from behind and bury my face in her neck. “I was going to make you come at least twice this morning.”

She chuckles and leans back into me. “That sounds amazing, but I have to leave in a few. I have a car coming.”

I scowl down at her.

“You don’t have to be at the airport for another two hours.”

“Traffic’s awful, and this way you don’t have to take me.”

“I want to take you.”

I let go of her and stride around the island so I can lean my hips on the opposite countertop and cross my arms over my chest.

“What the fuck is going on with you, Ivy?”

She shakes her head, and I laugh humorlessly.

“No more fucking lies. Just tell me what’s wrong. You’re making me crazy. I can see it written all over you that you’re not okay, and I can’t do a damn thing to help if you won’t talk to me. This isn’t who we are, baby.”

“I’m—” She blows a raspberry and pushes her hands into her hair. “I’m just worried.”

“About what?”

She nibbles her lip and stares at the countertop.

“You’re happy here,” she says, and when her gaze lifts to me, I nod slowly. “And this is where you’re supposed to be. Anyone can see it. You’re so at home out there with that team, hockey is in your blood.”

What the fuck is this?

Is she trying to break up with me?

My heart has stopped beating.

My mind is spinning.

Women leave. You know better than to get in a motherfucking relationship because your own goddamn mother didn’t stay for you and your siblings. Women aren’t permanent, you idiot.

“You’re so amazing, Xander. But I’m so scared.”

“Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. What are you afraid of?”

Christ, I want to touch her. I need to hold her.

But my feet won’t move from this spot.

“You—” Her lips tremble, and she presses them together before continuing. “What if you hurt your head again and you forget me?”

“That won’t happen.” I shake my head. “No, that won’t happen, Ivy.”