Page 134 of The Love You Win

“I love you, I love you, I love you,” I chant as we writhe against each other.

“I love you too.” She stares at me as we both gasp for air. Her expression is soft and vulnerable. Just like the next words that leave her lips. “This is real, right?”

My arms tighten around her. “Yeah, baby. This is real.”

It’s my fault she feels the need to ask. And it’s my job to make sure I reassure her every single day that she’s it for me. I look forward to the challenge.

Isla Harding is everything. She’s my present and my future. She’s wrapped up in every dream and goal for my life, now. She’s a part of me. The best part.

“This is real.”

I’ll make sure she feels the truth of that vow down to the very marrow of her bones.

fifty-eight

ISLA

The next few months fly by in a whirlwind of stolen moments between games, phone sex when Maddox is away, and finding our new normal. It’s been an adjustment. Ever since that night when Maddox publicly professed his love, we’ve gotten a lot of attention.

A lot.

It’s gotten to the point that Maddox asked me to move in with him last week. His building has a doorman and security. Mine… Well, mine doesn’t, and I’ve had more than my fair share of paps and obsessed fans ambush me on my way out the door in the morning. As much as I hate to admit to my protective boyfriend that it freaks me out, it does. He told me he’s been wanting to ask me to move in with him for a while. This just gave him a reason.

My apartment was packed up a few days later thanks to help from Maddox, Griffin, Jess and Nev, Mira, and Camila. Maddox’s mom is great, and Mira is starting to feel like a sister. They all helped move my things into Maddox’s apartment yesterday.

Well, our apartment, now.

Everything has changed so much in such a short time.

We’re celebrating our cohabitation tonight. The guys have a rare three day break in between games, so Maddox rented out a restaurant for us and all our closest friends. Normally, we’d just book a big table, but with all the fan and media curiosity about our relationship, this is the only way either of us will be able to truly enjoy ourselves.

“You rented out Rêveur?” I ask with a laugh as he pulls up to the scene of our first—sorry, our practice—date. “How did you manage that?”

He gives me a wink as he turns off the car. “I have my ways.”

I giggle as he opens my car door and helps me climb out. “You offered box seats to the owner, didn’t you?”

“And two jerseys signed by all the guys on the team, yeah.” The grin he gives me melts my insides. The way his chocolate eyes crinkle in the corners tells me he’s truly happy.

He smiles like that a lot these days.

So do I.

It hasn’t all been sunshine and roses since we made up. We bicker and argue like every couple does. But the beautiful moments far outweigh the annoying ones, and I’ve never been happier.

I love him so much, and I no longer doubt he loves me. Maddox makes it clear every single day that he chooses me. That he’s proud of me. And of being seen with me. He shows me off every chance he gets, and his Gravedigger moniker is rarely uttered these days. Now people love to give him a hard time for how often he gushes about me and our relationship. He’s unapologetic about being my biggest fan, and I’m equally unapologetic about being his.

As long as it’s not an afternoon game during the school week, I go to every single one of Maddox’s games with Mira. I wear his jersey and cheer like a madwoman.

My boyfriend holds my hand as we stroll into the restaurant. We’re greeted by Kacey, the same hostess who seated me the night I first met Maddox. Her eyes grow wide when she spots us, and a huge smile lights up her face.

“Welcome back to Rêveur! The rest of your party has already arrived. Please follow me.” She gives me a wink.

“Surprised to see us here together again?” I tease.

She shakes her head. “Nah. I’m a hockey fan, so I saw the post-game spectacle a few months ago.”

Maddox chuckles. “Is there anyone who hasn’t seen it by now?”

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