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She captures my chin between two fingers and tips my head toward her. Her smile falters, and she asks, “Is everything okay? I know I’m not as experienced as you but… Iwantyou. So bad, Silas. I’ve never wanted anyone like this before.”
I snort softly, shaking my head.
“Are you laughing at me?”
She pulls back but I take hold of her thighs. She kicks and struggles but I’m not letting her go. I’ll never let her go. Pru’s chest and cheeks are painted pink, but so will the rest of her body once I’m through.
“Prudence. I’m not laughing at you. I can’t believe it.”
“What? Bagging your first virgin? Congrats, Silas. And the coach’s daughter to boot. Bet you can’t wait to tell the rest of the team how easy it was to score.”
She’s pissed off, flustered, and preparing to go to war with me. Glad I picked up the right book. There’s only one ending to this battle.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Pru.” She relaxes a little but refuses to shed the pout.
“Then explain.”
“You’re my first virgin and my first coach’s daughter. But Prudence Catherine Parker, you’re my firsteverything.There’s been no one else. There will never be anyone else. You’re my first. And you’ll be my last.”
It comes out in one breath and feels amazing to get it out. To my teammates, I’m the man.Theplayer on and off the rink. But the truth is no one’s ever tempted me, and I’ve been so focused on hockey that I didn’t want to complicate my already chaotic life.
But I’ll take any complication if it makes Prudence mine.
“I’ve seen pictures online…”
“Stalking me, Pru?”
Her pink cheeks turn red. “Maybe. You never told me what happened that made you transfer.”
There’s a stab in my chest, twisting and turning and sharp. Pru made me forget everything. I want to forget it all, but I don’t want to keep secrets from my girl.
I stroke her legs absently as I recall last year. The game. My mother. Myfather.I thought we’d rid him from our lives years ago but there he was, sitting with my mom as though the last decade never happened. The only thing that follows my dad is trouble. And this time was no different.
“First,” I say, sucking in a harsh breath as I look at Pru. “I meant it when I said there was no one else. My focus has always been hockey. Nothing—no one—has ever changed my focus.” I swallow. “No one until you. You’ve changed everything for me. You’ve made me forget all my flaws. Made me want to be a better man. For you, Pru. There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
She reaches for my face, her fingers tracing my cheek and jaw delicately. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been touched like this. Maybe sometime in my childhood. Before it all fell apart. Before my mom fell into her depression. Before…
I refocus on Pru. Her kind eyes and caring smile scrub away every uncomfortable feeling, renewing me.
“My father left us when I was a teen, but I wish it was sooner. Before he put my mom in the hospital. She was… never the same.”
I can’t even put words to what that man did to her. And to see her with him, arm in arm at my game. I lost it. His new family had run its course, and he was dropping in to torment his old one. I can still hear his voice.
Look at the hockey star I created.
Fuck that.
“He’d been out of our lives for nearly a decade before he showed up last year. And he left just as quickly as came, but not before leaving my mom with a few parting gifts. Matching black eyes.”
I slam my fist into the water, rage boiling over as I see my mom curled up on the sofa—the trailer an absolute wreck. I’ve tried to get her help but you can’t help a person who doesn’t want it.
I spent my entire life trying to be strong, but at that moment I never felt weaker. I close my eyes, feeling the burning build behind my eyelids. I don’t hear Prudence slip into the water, but when she does, she wraps her arms around me, holding me.
I don’t know how long we stand holding each other in the pool—all I know is that I don’t want it to end. Everything about Prudence settles my chaos and gives me hope.
“I can’t imagine dealing with that, Silas. It’s…” Prudence sniffles, and it breaks my heart.
I pull back and see her tear-soaked eyes and it guts me. I brush her tears away, nudging her forehead with my nose. “I’m fine, Pru. Don’t worry about me.”
