Page 105 of The Obvious Check
My breath catches and tears threaten to spill as the significance hits me like a freight train. He steps closer, offering me the jersey. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” The words come out thick with emotion.
“Good, because I think the name suits you perfectly.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, because you brighten every single day of my life.” His voice drops to that gravelly tone that undoes me completely. “And because you're mine.”
Something wild and reckless explodes in my chest, and before rational thought can stop me, I launch myself at him. Cade catches me effortlessly, his arms banding around my waist asmy legs lock around his hips. The second he has me secured, his mouth crashes down on mine with devastating intensity.
It's everything. Heat and hunger and pure desperation. A kiss that brands. A kiss that claims. A kiss that saysI am yours and you are mine, now and forever.
Stanley's sharp bark cuts through our moment, his paws scrambling up our legs as he demands attention.
“You happy, Stanley?” Cade laughs against my lips. “Because I sure as hell am.”
Me too.
More than I ever thought possible.
Chapter 24
The arena buzzes with excitement as the Covey Crushers glide through their warm-up routine. I wish I could say my nerves are from the contagious energy crackling through the air, but it has nothing to do with that.
I’m here.
Wearing Cade’s ring and sitting next to the players’ bench, knowing that he’ll be sitting on the other side soon. That thought should comfort me, but instead it amplifies my anxiety because it means I'm completely exposed to his teammates.
This is my debut performance as his fiancée, which feels surreal considering we skipped straight past casual dating totill death do us part. Cade mentioned telling his friends, but conveniently left out their reactions, and now I'm spiraling about what they think of the girl who somehow landed their golden boy.
Actually, scratch that. I know exactly what the goalie thinks. He fucking hates this. Even with his mask hiding his expression, I can feel his judgment burning through me from the moment I sat down.
“I love you, D!” Madison shouts through cupped hands, bouncing beside me like an overzealous cheerleader as she blows kisses toward the ice. Okay, maybe I’m being a little paranoid. The goalie, Dash, isn’t staring at me at all. He’s looking ather. Hisgirlfriend. Not at me. I’m not that important, and if I think like that, then maybe it will be easier to get through this night.
My fingers twist the hem of my jersey into knots, my pulse beats unevenly as anxiety floods my system. The game hasn't even started and I'm already falling apart.
Did Cade know I would be this nervous? Is that why he made sure Madison was here with me?
I exhale slowly, feeling ridiculous, but before I can talk myself down, a suddenBANGrattles the plexiglass right in front of me.
I jolt, my head snapping up just in time to see Cade smirking at me from the other side of the glass. His green eyes are sharp, glittering with amusement as he pushes a puck through the little hole in the plexiglass.
“It’s for you,” Madison says, elbowing me.
I take it and mouth ‘thank you’ to him. Then he lifts his gloved hand and gives me a thumbs-up, then a thumbs-down, asking if I’m okay. My breath catches at the simple gesture, the way he’s checking in on me even in the middle of his warm-ups.
I hesitate for a moment before giving him an honest answer, my hand hovering in the air as I wave it in a so-so gesture. The smirk on his lip falters slightly, his expression shifting into something fierce and protective. He can’t speak through the glass, can’t pull me into his arms and promise everything will be okay, but he doesn’t need words.
Instead, he presses his palm flat against the plexiglass, holding it there for a few seconds. It’s a simple gesture, loaded with meaning.
I’ve got you. You’re not alone. I’m right here.
My throat closes up as I mirror his movement, placing my hands against the cold surface so our palms align. Even with the barriers between us, I feel his strength and his unwavering support flowing through that connection.
“Awww,” Madison coos right before a pack of his teammates descend onto him, shoving him away from the glass with merciless ribbing.
I glance over at Madison and immediately want to disappear into the floor, embarrassed about how I acted in front of his sister.
