Page 155 of Breaking Away

He doesn’t. The Wings won’t let him. They’ve formed a wall protecting their player.

Tyler can’t get through. His own team yanks him back, clearly tired of his behavior. He’s sent to the bench.

It’s too late anyway, even when the Blades pull out their goalie. Whatever last second surge the other team tries, the Wings survive.

They win the Cup!

66

DMITRI

She’s running towards me.I’m out of my gear, left in base layers soaked in sweat. Words fail me. I forget to walk. All I can do is open my arms as she rushes into them.

My heart stopped beating from the second I told her that I loved her. I swear, it finally starts again because Kavi is hugging me.

My body shudders.This. I need this.

The game ended, the Cup came out, and the entire team celebrated on the ice, hugging and cheering through the ceremony and interviews. Now, the euphoric chaos is finally petering down. I don’t have to stop myself from trying to climb the glass to get to her.

“You won,” she exclaims against my shoulder.

“We did.”

“That last goal?—”

My chest puffs. “I thought of you right before it went in.”

“Me?”

“It’s always you. All the time, Princess.”

She pulls back, fingers tightening on me. “You said I love you. Before.”

Her expression is cautious, but gentle. Not demanding at all.

I have to explain, but players are going to trickle past us any moment now. I tug her backwards against the flow of traffic. People congratulate us on the way, so it takes a while, but soon we’re back in the arena. Behind me is the ice rink. Around us are thousands of emptying seats.

I let go of her hand. “Sorry.”

My voice echoes.

She inhales, pulling away from me. “So you didn’t mean it? It was in the heat of the moment or something?”

If I want, I can backtrack. I can save my feelings for later, for when I figure out the perfect way to do this.

My jaw ticks.

There are more reasons than I’ll ever live long enough to count for why I love her, but what I need to put together is a list of why she could choose me. How I will make myself worthy, over and over again. I need to prove she can use me any time. I’m hers.

“You don’t have girlfriends…” she mumbles. “I remember. It’s okay.”

My heart clenches into a tight fist.Don’t have girlfriends…

Is that what she believes?

“Kavi.” My brows come together. “Baby, I’ve never called anyone my girlfriend, because how could I?”

“I mean, if you wanted one?—”

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