Page 156 of Breaking Away

“It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve wanted you for longer than I can remember. If it’s not you, it’s no one.”

Her cheeks blaze pink. Brown eyes frantically search mine. “Since when?”

“High school.”

“That’s when we met?—”

“Like I said, it’s always been you.” I clear my throat as she keeps staring at me, blinking. “I’m sorry,” I repeat. “You okay?”

“What are you sorry for?” she whispers, coming forward to clutch my shirt.

“Confessing. Tonight.” I shake my head. “Can you wait for me to get it together? I’ll do better.” My voice is a low, pained rasp. “Let me prove I love you. I shouldn’t have said it like that, even if it’s how I feel. You deserve fireworks?—”

“Fireworks?”

“Bigger than that, actually.”

She puts her palm on the center of my chest and pushes. Not much can move me without my permission, but all Kavi has to do is nudge and I’ll follow her suggestion. I’m moving backwards. She’s coming forward.

I hold my hand out, because there’s a step down to go into the rink. She accepts the support, and seeing she’s not as steady as me on ice, I palm her waist. “Tell me where to go.”

“Yes—but do we have time? There’s people wanting to talk to you. Interviewers. And the team—you have to celebrate with them?—”

“It all waits. Tell me where to go.”

“Are you sure?” Kavi searches my eyes again as if that’s the best way to read me.

“Nothing is more important.”

She points, and together we go to our spot. Usually she’s behind the glass but this time, we’re both on the other side.

At my quizzical look, Kavi blushes. “I wanted to hear it again, in case I misheard.”

“You didn’t.”

“Right before the most important game of your season and maybe your career, you told me you loved me?”

I gulp, going light-headed. “Yeah.”

“How is that not firework-worthy?”

My chest flips. Does that mean…

“It was okay?” Fuck, my question is shaky.

She goes on her toes and grips the sides of my face. “I mean, I’m scared. Part of me is afraid to believe it.”

I wince. “I know, I’m so used to keeping my reaction to you buried. Because it had to be for so long.”

“You don’t have to anymore. Likeat all.”

“Don’t tell me that. Because what I feel for you never dulls,” I tell her, emotion gripping me by the throat. “It goes beyond everything else.”

“Even hockey?” Her voice catches. “Sorry. I don’t mean to make you pick. Of course, I wouldn’t. I know you love it, too.”

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