Page 116 of Waiting For Fate

CHAPTER 50

SAWYER

“Go stand over there!” I point to the giant sculpture of a cherry on a spoon. “Should I pretend I’m popping it?” I wag my brows and Leah’s eyes turn the size of saucers when she slaps my chest with the back of her hand.

“Sawyer Clark!” she scolds me before running over to pose in front of it, sticking her tongue out to look like she’s licking the cherry.

We stop at every sculpture in the garden taking photos, but my favorite is the one of us in front of the bronze LOVE sign.

“This place is so cool. I’m so glad you brought me here.” Leah smiles as we walk hand in hand towards the parking lot.

“And I started with the least interesting place first. We still have two more stops to make while we’re here.” I smile and catch a playful look from her. “But this is all for today. Let’s grab some food and go back to the hotel for a bit before the game tonight.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to me to kiss the top of her head.

Leah is fast asleep on my chest, curled up in my Badgers hoodie with a pair of black sweatpants while sitcom reruns play on the TV in our hotel room, but I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to. I have been wanting to show her my favorite place in Minnesota ever since…well, ever since I found it if I’m honest. I wanted to call her that same day and show her but as we all know that wasn’t going to happen. But ever since she told me she’d give us a real chance; I’ve been dying to bring her here.

My alarm starts to go off letting me know it’s time to head to the rink and I see her face immediately scrunch in disapproval.

“We just fell asleeeep,” she whines.

“I know baby, we’ll have plenty of time to sleep when we get back tonight.” I kiss the top of her head and gently shake her arm. She pushes to sit up in the bed, letting out a yawn and stretching before letting her hand plop down on the bed beside her. When she picks up her phone from the table beside the bed, she looks up at me with a frown.

“The game isn’t for hours.”

“Correct.”

“Would you be super disappointed if I text Lyssa to see if we can ride there together? That will give me a little more time to get ready.” She gives me a pleading smile. Lyssa found out Leah would be at this game and managed to move her schedule around to be here too, or so I was told. Which I think Leah was really excited about so she wouldn’t be in the stands alone.

“Could I ask you something first?” She perks up a little more and crosses her legs.

“Anything.”

“Well, as I’m sure you know from the simple fact that I’ve used the same color tape for my stick for over ten years, that all athletes have their game day rituals?”

“Yeah, like not washing your socks or wearing the same underwear,” she explains, as I bob my head from side to side.

“Yes, but none of mine are nasty like that.”

“I just meant, yes. I’m aware,” she laughs, shoving my shoulder for teasing her.

“Well, I want you to become part of my game day ritual.”

“Seriously?” There’s a glimmer in her eyes as she asks, and it makes the nervous shake in my hands settle down a bit.

“Hell yeah, seriously.” She bites down on her lip and smiles.

“Yes! Of course I will. I would love to! But what should it be? Or do you have something in mind already?”

“Not necessarily, but it could be anything. Showering together, getting coffee, dancing, you coming early with me to watch me warm up…” I trail off as I continue thinking.

“Let’s do it then!” She jumps up from the bed, holding her hand out to help pull me up.

“Which one?”

“All of them.” She shrugs, like the answer couldn’t possibly be anything else.

“You’re amazing you know that?” I smile, pulling her closer to wrap my arms around her.

“Get naked, hockey star. We have a shower to take.” Then gives me a quick peck on the lips, pushes out of my arms, and strips off her sweats with me hot on her trail.

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