I grin back at her, feeling a sudden surge of confidence. With Vivian’s support, I can conquer anything—even my own fears and doubts.
* * *
Waking up a few hours later, I head straight to shower and let it soothe my nerves. As the hot water cascades down my body, I think about what’s about to happen. It’s still hard to believe that today is the day I play my first game as a Peacock. Those are the words I never expected to think or say, but life has a funny way of showing you that sometimes things happen when you least expect it.
Talking about the unexpected, I hear Vivian giggling in the bedroom where I left her. She must be watching cat videos again—those give her that extra dopamine boost every time. But that isn’t what surprises me—the fact that I’m in a serious relationship does.
Rinsing the shampoo off, I smile to myself.I have a freaking girlfriend.I can’t believe I’ll play a game where my partner will be watching me, cheering me on.
I turn off the water once I’m done and step out of the shower. I make my way to the slightly fogged mirror, grabbing a clean towel from the towel rack. Studying my reflection after wiping the surface with my hand, I notice the bags under my eyes that are evidence of my jet lag and the restless night I just endured.
As I wrap a towel around my waist, I feel another pang of nerves. What if I mess up? What if I let the team down? What if I let my family and Vivian down? Shaking my head, I try to clear my negative thoughts as I walk out of the bathroom, dropping my towel to surprise Vivian, whose back is facing me.
A loud shriek fills the room next. “Vivi, why is there a naked man in your bedroom?!”
It takes me a second before it clicks, but when it does, I want the ground to swallow me. I freeze, shocked and unable to move.
“Jasper, what the hell are you doing?” Vivian curses, turning to look at me, phone in her hand.
“Hey, bestie, um, if you don’t want to show me more of your man’s package, I advise you to turn your phone,” a voice says from her screen.
She does as the voice suggests, and that gets me to act. “Shit,” I mumble, finally grabbing my towel from the floor to cover myself.
I clutch the towel tightly around me, making sure it won’t drop accidentally, before I peer at the screen and confirm my assumptions; Vivian is on FaceTime with her best friend, Lottie. I’ve seen photos of them together before, but I haven’t had the chance to meet her in person yet.
“Hi, I’m Jasper,” I say, awkwardly waving to her with the hand not holding my towel. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
“Holy shit—” she starts to say. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are, hockey hunk.”
“Thanks, I guess,” I laugh awkwardly. “This wasn’t how I expected to meet you, but here we are.”
Vivian groans. “That about sums it up.”
“You told me he was hot and all those other flattering things, but damn, Vivi!” Lottie tells her, moving her hand like she’s fanning herself with an invisible handheld fan.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Vivian says, her cheeks reddening. “You just saw my boyfriend naked!”
“And all I can say isgo girl!”
“Lottie, not now,” Vivian says, amusement lacing her tone. Following their interaction makes it hard for me to keep my laughter at bay.
“Why not? You need to know you found a good one. I mean, the word good doesn’t even coverit,” Lottie waggles her eyebrows.
“Well, thanks, once again. But I better get dressed up as I have to leave for practice,” I tell the women and walk to the corner where my clothes are on the chair.
“I want to wish Jasper good luck, so let’s talk more later,” Vivian tells her best friend, who waves her hand toward the camera, saying, “Later, Vivi andhockey hunk.”
Vivian rolls her eyes as the call ends. “I can’t believe that just happened. You know Lottie won’t forget that anytime soon!”
“It’s all good,” I say with a chuckle. “At least she approves.”
She smirks. “That she does. She’s been asking about you non-stop since I texted her about you in Lapland.”
I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her, pulling her to me. “Well, I’m glad I live up to her expectations.”
“You definitely do. You’re lucky it went that well.”
“I’m even luckier to have you,” I say before leaning down to kiss Vivian.
