Playing for Keeps(35)

 

“We’re going to have words about this,” Owen says, his tone holds the edge of a warning. “The first hint of you dicking her around, I’ll take you out with my bare hands.” And then seconds later, he’s strolling back inside.

 

I launch myself into Justin’s arms, smiling.

 

I press a kiss to his scruffy cheek and can feel him smiling back against my lips. “Did you really mean all that?”

 

“Every word,” he says, voice gruff. “I’ve fallen for you. So fucking hard.”

 

My heart clenches in my chest.

 

“When you made me that key …”

 

I stop him. “It scared you.”

 

He nods. “It did, but that’s just stupid.” I’m about to disagree with him, to tell him it’s not stupid, but he keeps talking. “I’m done being scared. I know I might not be boyfriend material, and it’s possible that I’ll suck at all of this, but I want to try. For you. Because the idea of living without you in my life?”

 

His expression in pained. I lean in and press a soft kiss to his lips.

 

“You won’t suck.”

 

He smiles. And wow, it is so good to see him smile again. A knot of unease I’ve been carrying around inside me all week evaporates in an instant. “You sure about that?”

 

I pat his scruffy cheek again. “I’m positive. Unless you plan on hooking up with puck bunnies or doing something incredibly stupid like…”

 

I don’t get to finish because he’s shaking his head and scowling at me. “I would never do that to you. You’re the only one I want.”

 

Maybe it’s crazy, and maybe it’s completely foolish of me, but I actually believe him. I know Justin’s been with enough women to know what he wants. And if he says he wants me…I believe him.

 

Leaning closer, I press my lips to his and Justin’s fingers sink into the hair at the back of my neck, holding me close so he can deepen the kiss. His tongue sweeps against mine and heat flickers low in my belly.

 

“You want to go back inside and play poker?” he asks, breaking our connection, but keeping his forehead against mine.

 

I shake my head. “I have a better idea.”

 

His smirk is delicious. “And what would that be?”

 

“You. Me. My place.”

 

“Fuck yes,” he whispers. “Let’s go.”

 

I feel almost giddy as we head inside. And almost immediately all eyes in the room whip over to us. Justin laces his fingers through mine, as if to announce to the world that we’re together.

 

I secretly love that he’s not being shy about this. I love that we’re coming out as a couple to our friends. After months of hiding what happened between us and hiding my feelings, this is a very welcome change of pace.

 

I lean my head on his shoulder, the difference in height between us exaggerated. Justin rubs one hand along my shoulder, keeping me close. “So, we’re going to … get out of here.”

 

There are whoops and hollers and catcalls from around the room.

 

And then money changes hands, Asher paying Teddy with a frown. “You were right,” he mutters.

 

“What the?” Justin asks.

 

Teddy shrugs. “We made a bet. It’s about damn time you guys realized how perfect you are for each other.”

 

I see Becca grinning at me from the kitchen.

 

“That’s fucked up,” Owen grumbles, obviously grossed out that his own friends took bets on his sister and best friend.

 

When we cross the room, Justin stops in front of Owen and shakes his hand. I’m just relived when Owen doesn’t punch him. Some silent understanding passes between them and I grin at their exchange, finally feeling at peace that everything is out in the open. But then Justin is pulling me toward the front door, and a whole new wave of emotion hits me.

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice time

 

 

Elise

 

 

 

“What in the world?” I smile, keeping my eyes closed just like Justin asked.

 

His hands on my waist lead me down a cement walkway, my heels clattering in the otherwise quiet room. Before I can ask him again where he’s taking me, the smell gives it away. Hockey arenas just have a certain smell.

 

I grin, confused. “You brought me to the ice rink?” What in the heck? Did he forget that he has practice today or something?

 

This is all still brand new between us, and I love that he’s trying. But, huh? It’s obvious I’m clearly not used to this side of him.

 

He chuckles. “Open your eyes.”

 

I do, and then for a moment, I’m speechless. When he’d wanted to practice this whole boyfriend thing, Justin insisted on planning a special date for us this weekend, and I’d been more than happy to hand over the reins. Only now, I’m totally confused. He brought me to the ice arena where he spends countless hours each week training and working… it makes no sense.

 

Until suddenly it does.

 

First, we have the entire place to ourselves. There’s something about it that feels special and a tiny bit forbidden.

 

With a smile playing on the edges of my lips, I take a look around.

 

The overhead lights in the stadium are turned off, and the only light comes from the glittery disco-ball overhead. It throws tiny silver drops of light all over the ice. It almost looks magical.

 

Justin presses a button on his phone and all around us, low music fills the silence. He leads me over to the bench where there’s a fuzzy plaid blanket, two pairs of skates and a thermos.

 

“We have the whole place to ourselves,” he says softly, meeting my eyes.

 

My confusion gives way to a smile. We haven’t skated together in years. We used to all the time growing up, but somewhere along the way, that stopped.

 

It’s crazy how the chill in the air, and even the smell of the ice can spark up nostalgia. This is us. Our history. And he planned the entire thing without me knowing.

 

“This is amazing,” I murmur, following him to the bench where I take a seat.

 

He pours me a mug of hot cocoa, which I sip while he kneels before me to lace up my skates.

 

Then he takes off his shoes and puts on his own skates while I watch, finishing my cocoa.

 

“Ready?” he asks, grinning mischievously at me.

 

“Yes, but I’m going to be a little rusty.”

 

He offers me his hand and I take it, following him out onto the ice. He glides effortlessly along, keeping a firm hold on my hips so I don’t fall.

 

The breeze lifts my hair and I watch him, feeling deliriously happy as we move across the ice together.

 

Justin leans down and steals a kiss, chuckling. “You taste like chocolate.”

 

It’s been a month since we officially started dating and came clean to my brother, and every day seems better than the last.

 

“This is pretty much the best date ever,” I laugh, clinging to his biceps.

 

“I’m glad you approve. I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.”

 

I like it for so many reasons. Because it reminds me of our childhood, and because it’s just so him. I like that we’re not at a hoity-toity restaurant surrounded by people and pretense, and I can rest my head on his chest as he holds me.

 

“I love it,” I say, meeting his eyes.

 

He touches my cheek, tucking my hair behind my shoulder as he gazes down at me. “I love you.”

 

Emotion lodges in my throat and tears well in my eyes. It’s the first time he’s said those words, and a tidal wave of emotion threatens to knock me over. Being on skates doesn’t help.

 

Justin lowers his lips to mine as we slow in the center of the ice. “Don’t cry, baby.”

 

“I love you too,” I murmur, bringing my hands around his neck. Raising on tiptoes isn’t possible in skates, so I urge him lower. Dipping his head toward mine, Justin captures my lips in the sweetest kiss.

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those Three Little Words

 

 

Justin

 

 

 

I love you too.

 

Hearing those words on Elise’s lips is the sweetest sound. And not just because I know she really does love me, but because for me—someone who’s spent much of his life feeling unlovable—feeling like a total fuck up—it means everything to me.

 

I’ve spent a decade working my ass off to make it in the pros, and then all my downtime partaking in all the carnal pleasures life had to offer, but none of it made me feel the way I do when I’m with her. I feel whole. For the first time in a long time. Maybe ever.

 

Leaning down, I place my lips against hers and give Elise a slow, tender kiss. We skate for a little while longer, her arms wrapped around my waist to steady herself, and my chin resting on the top of her head.

 

“Are you getting cold?” I ask after a while.

 

Elise looks up at me and nods. “A little.”

 

“Come on then. Let’s go warm you up.”

 

We finish up on the ice and I maneuver us back to the bench.

 

I help Elise remove her skates, and she grins, watching me the entire time.