Page 51 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

I pocket the capsule and jog back to the car. It’s going to take some getting used to driving something so nice. I know most guys my age, especially after signing with the NHL, would probably splurge on a sports car but I need something practical.

It only takes me a few minutes to get home. It’s nearly dark by now. So much of the day was taken up at the dealership. I shoot Bertie a text asking her to come outside. The moment the door opens, and she spots the new car her mouth pops open.

“Oh my god, you actually did it.”

I shrug. “I figure it made the most sense to get it before we move.”

Pressing a hand to her back she makes her way over to me. Not that I would ever tell her, but she’s beginning to get a bit of a waddle, and I think it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Wow.” She peers inside. “It’s nice. Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I think⁠—”

She pales suddenly and I worry something is wrong. My hands automatically come up, hovering around her. “Where’s your truck?”

She almost gave me a heart attack because she’s worried about my truck?

“At the dealership. I’ll need you or my mom to drive me back by tomorrow to pick it up.”

“Oh, thank God.” She breathes a sigh of relief. “You scared me there for a minute.”

“I think you’re more attached to my truck than I am.”

She gives a soft laugh. “Maybe I am.”

“Do you want a car tour?” I ask.

“Of course.” She gives me a playful shove.

I run through all the features the car salesman went over as well as the ones Daire pointed out. When I open the back door and she sees the car seat, she eyes me up.

“That’s new too.”

I shrug. She didn’t know where I went this morning, because I didn’t want my anxiety to affect her. So, I say, “I read that fire stations will help install car seats properly, so I decided to go ahead and get one and have it installed.”

“Seriously?” She arches a brow. “I should probably do the same.” She eyes her SUV parked beside me.

“I’ll take care of it.”

She grabs onto my wrist, and I hope she doesn’t feel the skipped beat of my heart. “Luke, you don’t have to handle everything. I can do it.”

“I like taking care of you.”

Her face softens and she leans in, her soft vanilla scent instantly calming me. “You’re too good to me.”

Before I can forget, I reach into my pocket and pull out the capsule prize.

She eyes it between my fingers. “Case in point.” She takes it gleefully from me and pops it open, removing the plastic ring from inside. She slips it on her pinky finger. “I love it.”

“I’m glad.” I smile. She’s close enough that I’m helpless when my eyes drop to her lips. I want to kiss her so bad.

I swear she leans in just slightly, like she’s thinking the same thing too. I swallow and her eyes jump to my Adam’s apple. Her tongue slides out just slightly, moistening her lips.

“Bertie,” I murmur her name. I cup her cheek in one hand, rubbing my thumb over her bottom lip.

She leans in even more and just when I’m about to close the distance, car lights illuminate us as my mom’s pulls into the driveway behind me.

Bertie jerks away.