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My chest tightens. “First, I don’t belong toanyone. And second, I didn’t mean him. I meantJesse.” I laugh incredulously. “Why would he risk a penalty for that, or an injury?”
And why does a little part of me find it so goddamn attractive?
Pippa playfully rolls her eyes as she pats me on the back. “You really need to watch more games. That fight was pretty tame compared to some that I’ve seen.”
“Still.” I shrug. “He didn’t need to do it.”
My eyes flash to Jesse’s again to see him staring back at me. And when Pippa’s gaze follows mine, she giggles. “Yeah, he did.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Willow
ThegameendswithSan Francisco winning by a point, only just managing to hold their lead in the final seconds.
If I thought the supporters were loud before, it’s nothing compared to now. The sound is deafening, but I love every second.
When the celebrations die down, Jesse skates over to the window and mouths “don’t move,” with a scowl on his face.
Pippa bites back a smile as she glances my way, bouncing her eyebrows as Jesse skates off. “I think he liked the jersey,” she says, and I burst out laughing, my giggles more out of nerves than anything else.
The stadium clears out much faster than I would have expected, but I do as I’m told, sitting patiently as I wait for Jesse to arrive.
I’m not sure how long it’s been when Pippa pops back with a smirk on her face, shaking her head when she sees me. “You’re not seriously going to wait for him, are you? You don’t even know how long he’ll be.”
“I’ve made him wait months. It’s the least I can do.”
Pippa frowns, her expression telling me her thoughts without the words that follow. “You’re really going to give it a shot.”
“I’m going to try. I’d rather see how it plays out then never know if I walked away from a great love.”
“Ugh, when did you become a romantic?”
“When I was about twelve.” I smile. “But I lost it at fifteen. I’m just starting to get it back.”
Pippa laughs but there’s a sadness to it. “Then you better go get your man.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Are you okay to find your own way home then? If you even go back there.” She grins and I roll my eyes.
“Yes, I’ve got your key. Thanks for letting me stay. I’ll lock up when I leave tomorrow.”
Pippa nods, but mumbles something as she walks away.
The second she’s gone, I glance back to the rink, replaying Jesse’s fight. I should be mad about it, but I can’t bring myself to feel that way when all I can think of is how hot it is that he laid claim to me like that. That his actions told everyone to back off… I’m his.His.
Jesse arrives when I’m still lost in thought, his scowl now replaced by a frown. “Are you here for me or did Pippa force you?” he asks without a hello.
“You. Obviously,” I snap, though I don’t know why I’m pissed off.
“How is that obvious? You never called me, and you only responded toonetext.” His voice holds an edge to it that should make me madder, but it actually does the opposite. I know that fight on the ice affected him. I could see it in his expression when his eyes met mine. Not to mention the fact that I’ve been putting him through hell. Not letting him in but also not letting him go.
“I know.” I sigh. “I was processing.”
“Processing what?”
“Everything.”
