“I wasn’t sure how hungry you’d be or what you’d fancy, so…”
“You brought everything?”
“Something like that. I wanted to make you happy, make our first date special.”
“Kodie, you’ve already done that. The food is just a bonus.”
“I love you,” I blurt, the words coming easier now that I’ve said them once.
Her eyes soften and this sappy smile that I can’t get enough of appears on her lips as she starts shaking her head.
“What?”
“I just can’t believe it. I always hoped that dreams could come true, but I never really believed it. But you’re proof they do.”
“Casey,” I whisper. “I’m no dre?—”
“You are so much more than you know, Kodie Rivers, and I love you too. So much.”
Unable to stop myself, I abandon unloading the basket and drag her in for another all-consuming kiss.
“The only thing we need to figure out now is how we tell the rest of the world.”
“You mean your dad?” I correct.
“Yeah, that,” she muses.
We won tonight, another epic shutout game for Handsy. He’s fucking killing it this season and is well on his way to a shot at the Vezina Trophy this year. I’d fucking love to see him win it. It would mean everything—not only to him but also to our entire team. Our family.
It may have only been a few days since Casey and I finally exchanged those three big words we were both holding back, and it might sound like a cliché, but I swear, everything has changed.
I’m happier.
Even happier than I was when we started hooking up.
Multiple people have commented on it, but mostly my teammates.
I’m playing better, too, which is a bonus.
Everything is just better.
Every laugh feels lighter and more genuine. Every conversation flows better. It’s fucking bizarre, but I’m here for it.
But while I’m flying higher than I ever have, Casey is struggling.
Tomorrow is her mom’s birthday, and she’s dreading it.
I get it. Dad’s birthday earlier in the year ripped me to pieces.
I just wish there was something I could do to make it easier for her.
I’m glad we’re getting a red-eye back home tonight so at least I can be there when she wakes up in the morning.
We’ve got almost two weeks’ worth of home games ahead of us once we land back in LA, and Casey and I have agreed that once she and Coach have got over these painful few days, we’re going to tell him about us.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m fucking terrified. But we can’t keep our relationship hidden anymore.
I want Casey to be a part of my life. To be a part of our family. Not my dirty little secret. She deserves so much more than that.
