Page 62 of Sidelined Love

“I suppose we have,” he says. “It's weird, isn't it? How life just… goes on, even when yours feels like it's stopped.”

I can't agree more. “That's probably the truest thing you've said all night.”

Levi pushes the photo aside. “So, your mom,” he starts, but then stops as if he's thinking about how to word this. “You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.”

But I want to. Maybe it’s the way he’s opened up to me or how comfortable this makeshift date feels, but I find myself wanting to share more of me with him. “She left when I was still a kid,” I begin. “Just packed up one day when I was at school and Dadwas at work. Dad tried to explain it to me in a million different ways, but I still don't understand.”

“Hailey,” he whispers my name like it's a secret he’s never told anyone before.

I move my hand that was holding his and grab my wineglass. I take a sip before I speak again. “I'm fine, really. I've had a long time to get used to it.” But as I say it, there’s a question forming silently in my mind: Am I really fine?

“We're quite the pair, aren't we?” he says with a light chuckle that doesn't quite hide his sadness.

“We are,” I agree. I snort and shake my head. “Look at us, we’re like two characters in some indie movie.”

“Yeah, but make it a sports romance,” he replies, matching my tone. “We have hockey, complex family drama, and a situationship of sorts that started out with you hating me to now just tolerating me.”

“I can't stand you,” I say jokingly. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or worried that we’re ticking all the boxes of a cliché though.”

He leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “Oh really? So you do like me or something?”

“I thought we established this already. I wouldn't be here if I didn't. So what happens next in our cliché sports romance?”

Levi grins widely. “Well, if I had to guess… the star hockey player who's hiding his pain behind his talent does something unexpected.”

“Oh?” I prompt him to continue.

“He takes a risk,” Levi says softly.

“And what risk would that be?”

It takes what feels like forever for him to respond. “Asking if I can kiss you right now.”

The words hang in the air between us, an unspoken challenge. I feel a familiar flutter in my stomach like the one I got just before he kissed me at Sapphire Tavern.

“Are you always this forward?” I ask.

“I told you I go after what I want, full stop. But only when it feels right, and with you, it does, Rook.”

I push my chair back to stand up and walk over to him. He looks up at me before joining me and pulling me toward him as his hands rest on my waist.

“We don't have to—” he starts but stops when he sees me open my mouth.

“We do if you want to. Because I do.”

He towers over me slightly but bends down to meet me at eye level. His gaze softens just before our lips meet, and once they do, all bets are off. Our kiss deepens as everything fades away.

Right now, this is exactly where I'm meant to be.

25

LEVI

“God, I've been wanting to do that all evening,” I confess before my lips land back on hers. Hailey's hands end up in my hair, pulling me closer to her. I went into this wondering where the night would lead, hoping we might be on the same page about where we wanted tonight to go. If she wants things to continue in the direction they seem to be going in, then great. If she wants to stop, that's also fine.

I break our kiss and I never thought I would see the day when Hailey Reed began to whine, but I lose the fight with the chuckle that I've been struggling against. “I want to confirm that you're okay with this, Rook.”

She bites her lip and nods shyly. “Yes, I'm okay with this.”

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