She casually runs her hands over the steering wheel, and I think about the times I’ve tried to drive her home from the bar, but she’s insisted on walking, and the night we met when she hadn’t been drinking because she wouldn’t have been able to walk home from my house.
I cover her hand with mine as a silent thank you for putting another crack in that shell of hers.
“My turn to ask a question?”
“Shoot.” I smile, mimicking her.
“Why are you still single?”
“Am I?”
She drops her head to her shoulder, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Say the words, babe, and I will happily be a man in a relationship.”
“I mean it. Leo says he notices the special treatment at his school and the way people treat him differently, but I—” She shakes her head as if she can’t understand it. “I can’t imagine it’s likethis.Women literally fall to their knees before you. You could have anyone you want.”
“Sure. But I don’t want justanyone, Sav.” I reach over, tucking a wild strand of her hair behind her ear and then cover her thigh with my palm. “Plus, you’re the only one I want to see on her knees before me.”
“Noah.” She drags out my name and she blushes. “I’m serious.” She shoves my shoulder and I grab her hand, like I do every time she can’t help but touch me.
I lock our fingers together in a way that feels second nature at this point, drop them in my lap, and look at her. Inever considered a relationship before. If I can’t give my all to something—or in this case, someone—I don’t want to do it. It’s been instilled in me since I could walk that if I’m not willing to be the best at something, someone else will be. There’s no point in doing something if you aren’t all in.
“It’s not anything juicy, really. My focus has always just been on hockey. I’ve set new goals to achieve each year, but the end goal has always been the same.”
“To play for the NHL,” she finishes, and I nod my head.
“I’m an all-in kind of guy. When I want something, and I make it my goal, I get tunnel vision and I’ll stop at nothing to achieve it. So if it wasn’t a puck and skates, I didn’t give it much attention.”
Savannah gnaws on her bottom lip, with a deep crease between her brows, and I’m suddenly very aware that I just confirmed all of her fears about me.
I reach over, cupping her jaw. My thumb drags along her bottom lip before I set it free from her bite. “But Savannah, I’m willing to be all in with you.”
Her expression is unreadable, and I don’t know if she’s there yet, but I know that I meant that without hesitation.
26
savannah
Dad: Got dinner plans tonight? I’m going to meet Leo and Paige. Want to pick me up and tag along?
Savannah: Bummer. I’ve got a hot date with my textbooks.
Dad: It’s Friday night.
Savannah: Exams wait for no one.
Three dots appearand then disappear, and guilt tugs a little in my stomach. Without being able to see his face, I can’t tell if he's suspicious of me or not. He’s never had to be concerned, considering I’ve never lied to him before. After my mom died, Leo and I were all he had. We were all each other had. I don’t enjoy lying to him, but unfortunately, I enjoy how things are going withNoah too much to stop.
Dad: I guess. But if this has to do with meeting Paige, just know your brother is really excited about her.
Of course he would think I’m blowing them off because of my aversion to meeting new people. I can’t even be mad. I deserve that.
Savannah: It's not, promise. Tell Leo hi and I’m looking forward to meeting her at the next dinner.
Dad: Love ya, kid.
The Denhas been nonstop with customers since my shift started five hours ago, which is fine, because the alternative is a slow shift full of awkward conversations—or being ignored—by my coworkers. I guess when you blow people off enough times, they not only stop inviting you out, but they stop talking to you all together.
