Page 109 of Center Ice
“Why?” I pause as I take in the anguished look on his face. “Ohhh…” The word comes out slowly as the realization dawns. And then I step forward, drilling my finger into his chest with every question I ask. “You think you’re being traded and so we’re over? That after you forced your way into my life, showing me what a good father and good partner you are, practically demanding that I fall in love with you…you think what? That you’re just going to walk away because you’re being traded?”
He grabs my hand and holds it against his chest. “What choice is there, Audrey? I would never ask you and Graham to uproot your lives and move across the country.”
I look up at him, and it hurts to have to ask the question. “Why not?”
Does he not want us to come with him? Or does he not think we would if he asked?
“Because you and Jules just started an amazing company, and Graham just started elementary school. Your whole family is here, and so is mine. Graham just met his grandma, aunts and uncle, and cousins. I would never uproot you from all that. Boston is your home.”
My shoulders relax as I exhale, trying to calm my racing heart. I step closer to Drew and wrap my free arm around his waist, relishing the feel of his warm skin against my hand as it slides along his back.
“Did it ever occur to you to ask what I would want in this situation? Drew, how could Boston be home if you weren’t with us?”
He bites his lower lip as he looks down at me. “Are you serious right now?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I pull my hand from his and use it to cup his jaw. “Don’t think for a second that you’re getting rid of me that easily.”
“Audrey.” He drops his forehead to mine. “I’m not trying to get rid of you. The thought of losing you waskillingme. I was trying to figure out how I could still make this still work while I was in Vegas and you were here—but the thought of being without you was physically painful. Even though I would just be doing it until the end of the season.”
“What about your next contract?”
“There wouldn’t be one. I’ve already decided it’s Boston or nothing.”
That has my head snapping back to look at him. “What? Why?”
“Because you and Graham are here. My family’s here.”
“Hockey families move, Drew. It’s part of that life, and one that I accepted the minute I agreed to this relationship with you. I hope it can work out for you to stay in Boston, but our relationship isn’t contingent on you playing here. If we have to make our home somewhere else, Graham and I would go with you. That’s what family does.”
For a moment, he’s frozen, like he’s trying to process what I just said—trying to make it make sense. Then, he wraps his arms around my back, pulling me to him as he brings his face down and ghosts his lips across the bridge of my nose. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“Everything. Every single thing you’ve done since you’ve been back in my life has made me fall more and more in love with you.”
His head snaps back and his eyes widen as she stares down at me. Voice thick and words rough, he says, “Say it again.”
“What? That I love you?”
“I’m never going to get tired of hearing that,” he tells me, his breath warm as it caresses my skin. “In fact, I’m probably going to be needy as fuck, demanding that you say it all the time.”
“I’ll tell you as often as you need to hear it,” I say with a light laugh. “But don’t youevertry to push me away like that again. That’s not what we do. Okay?”
“Promise.” He leans down and takes my lips gently in his. The kiss is slow, and sensual, and as much as I want to let it lead to more, we have business to attend to first.
So I pull back, looking up at him, and ask, “Okay, so how are we going to deal with this?”
Chapter Forty-Three
DREW
We’re standing in the hallway outside the locker room, waiting to make the walk to the ice. It feels like a hell of a lot more than a week ago that I stood here last, and I don’t let myself consider the possibility that it could be the last time I do this in a Rebels jersey. Audrey and I decided, and Jameson agreed, that the only thing to do was to have the best damn game of my life. I need to be focused and in control. I need to show AJ that I’m the type of player this team needs.
“You good?” Zach asks.
And this time, my answer is honest. “I’m ready.”
“Did Chloe help?”
Last night, after Audrey and I talked, I picked up the phone and made the call I’d been avoiding since Zach sent me the number of his sports psychologist. Her title really should be ‘miracle worker,’ though. I’ve never talked to anyone who was able to identify my fears and the ways in which I self-sabotage, and she managed it in a one-hour video call. She left me with some routines to try before tonight’s game, all of which I ran through with total fidelity. And she also gave me some strategies to use in heated moments on the ice. I feel calm, and ready.
