AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nothing with my play, of course. Just the stuff in my head.
“Maybe a few more?” I lean my head to the side and he huffs then slides his mask back in place. He drops down and I slap a shot that he snaps up easily. I’m getting tired, too.
He pushes the puck to the side to join the others then sets up to take another.
“Mind if I take a few?”
I smirk at the sound of Laney’s voice, and Chuck pulls his mask back on again.
“Oh thank God. He’s all yours.” He slides the pucks out to me, and I gather them while trying not to give in immediately and simply rush Laney as she glides toward me in my periphery.
“Laney.” Chuck gives her a nod as they pass, tipping his mask like a gentleman.
She spins around so her back is to me, and I notice that she’s wearing the same sweats she borrowed from me the last time wedid this, along with her stolen Tiff Tuff quilted satin volleyball jacket.
When the locker room door shuts behind Chuck, she spins back around to face me. Her lips part with a sudden breath and her eyes are puppy-dog-like. I’m not sure if she’s scared or sad.
“New record, huh?” I break the ice, so to speak.
Her mouth snaps shut and she forms a tight-lipped smile that she holds for a deep breath through her nose. Her shoulders rise then drop on her exhale as she nods.
“New record,” she echoes. “You came.”
“I did.”
She sucks in her bottom lip and drops her hands into the pockets of her jacket as she stares at the edge of her skates. Correction, someone’s skates.
My brow furrows and I point at her feet.
“What are those?” They’re at least four sizes too big on her.
“They’re Matt’s. They were in the closet.” She shrugs then slides one foot forward, nearly losing her balance. She drops the stick and I catch her at her elbows. Her hands flatten on my chest then grab at the fabric of my sweatshirt. Her stare remains on the center of my chest as one of her hands moves to grab the string from my hoodie. She tugs on it lightly then flits her eyes up to me. Several wordless seconds pass.
“You knew my dad wasn’t going to make it, so you came to make sure I had someone there.”
“I did.” I can’t help but let my gaze roam over the curve of her cheek. She’s so fragile yet so strong. She’s beautiful.
“So how would this even work?”
My eyes snap back to hers at her question. My pulse pauses and my chest opens as hope drops inside.
“Us?”
Please be us.
She nods slowly.
My mouth tugs up on the right and I glance beyond her shoulder at the empty arena. I breathe out a laugh then come back to her face. All I can do is shrug.
“You say you love me too.”
She blinks once, then flattens her palms on me and closes the last few inches between us, pulling on my sweatshirt for balance as her lips move closer to mine. Her head tilts slightly and her top lip curves up.
“I love you too.” She’s kissing me the moment her words hit the air, and everything in my body relaxes. My hands move to her hips as I lift her into my arms and her legs wrap around me. Her freezing palms press against my cheeks as our breath fogs up the air around us. I taste her mouth, the orange Gatorade flavor from her game still fresh on her lips. Her body a perfect fit against mine as I leave my mess behind skate us to the team’s bench.
I step up and spin to take a seat, setting her on my thigh so I can run my hands through her hair and hold her close.
“You have to get out of those ridiculous things,” I say, glancing down at the too-big skates.
