Page 129 of The Christmas You Crash

“I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Handsome.”

“I, uh, I got some news today.”

Lexi sits up and turns those emerald eyes of hers my way. “You did? Is it good news?”

We didn’t win the Cup last season, but we did make it through three rounds of the playoffs. After Cross was fired and Coach Fry took his place, we had a couple of fumbled games, but we ended the season better than we started it. And with Lexi in the family box, cheering me on every game she could, my playing got better and better. Now, I almost have as many fans as Maddox, Griffin, Logan, and Bash. Almost. Which is why my agent was pretty confident he could get me a sweet extension offer. But you never know with these kinds of things.

“I heard from John.”

Lexi’s hand grips mine. “Did they extend your contract?”

I want to tease her. I want to give her sad puppy dog eyes and make her wonder. But I’m too excited, and I can’t banish the smile that curves my lips.

“Ohmygod, they did, didn’t they?” She’s bouncing up and down in her seat. She’s so damned adorable. And mine. All mine. God, I’m a lucky bastard.

“Yeah, baby, they did. Five years. And it’s huge. So many zeros that I don’t know how to wrap my mind around it.”

“Hell, yeah!” Lexi shouts. She’s so loud and enthusiastic, I’m sure they can hear her from the next town over. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Ryder. So proud.”

The thing I love about Alexis Cross? She’d be just as proud of me if it was only a one-year extension for chump change. She doesn’t care about the money or the notoriety. She only cares that I’m happy. And I am.

I’m hoping I’ll be even happier by the time the night is over.

“Thanks, Oscar. I’m just glad I don’t have to try to convince you to move with me because I got traded.”

She waves her free hand in the air in a flippant gesture. “You wouldn’t have to convince me. I’d go wherever you go.”

So easily. She says it so easily. As if it would be no big deal to uproot her life and follow me to who-knows-where. Of course, I’d do the same for her. If, one day, she finds her dream job in Chicago or California, or hell, even Alaska, I’ll happily pack my bags and follow her there. Because Lexi’s not only my biggest fan. I’m hers too.

Gravel crunches beneath our tires as I pull up to the cabin. Our cabin. Lexi’s mom and Jeff bought Arthur out shortly after he was fired. Lexi doesn’t know it yet, but Kelly and Jeff plan to present us with the deed as a wedding present.

The cabin is lit by that one single exterior light. The guys, Mira, and Isla are all hiding in the back rooms of the house with the blinds closed, so it looks like the place is empty.

“I love you, Alexis Cross. You know I’d go wherever you go, too, right?”

She offers me a blinding smile. “Of course.”

Sometimes, every once in a blue moon, I still think about Arthur Cross. And when I do, I feel sorry for him. Not because he’s miserable and alone, and the only job he could get coaching hockey was a high school team out in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota, but because he willingly gave up the love of a woman who offers her loyalty so freely and completely that she’s utterly ruined me for anyone else.

But I won’t make that mistake. I pat the outline of the box in my pocket for the hundredth time since we left our apartment. No, I’m never giving Lexi up. Not for anyone or anything. I’m making her mine.

“Can you believe it’s been a year since we were last here?” she asks as the car comes to a stop in front of the cabin.

“Nope. It feels like just yesterday when you chucked a wineglass at my head and flashed me those perfect tits of yours.” I chuckle when she whacks my arm with the back of her hand before climbing out of the car. Almost the very moment she does, massive, fluffy snowflakes begin to drift down from the sky.

“Oh my god, it’s snowing.” Lexi looks over at me with big, excited eyes before tilting her head back and catching a snowflake on her tongue. I take a mental picture, because this moment is one I want to remember.

“Just like when we met.”

“Well.” She chuckles. “Hopefully we won’t get a blizzard this time.”

“Hopefully not,” I agree. My stomach twists itself into a pretzel and my heart hammers in my chest. I extend a hand for the woman I’m in love with. “Come on. Let’s get inside and get you warmed up.”

She takes my hand with such trust. There’s no hesitation. Even after a year of being with her, I still marvel at that. At being the one she trusts implicitly. I leave our bags in the car. We won’t need them just yet. My hand shakes as I try to slot the key into the lock.

“Looks like I’m not the only one who needs to warm up.” Lexi wraps her arms around my left bicep and presses in close to me. “Come on, Handsome. Let’s get inside and get naked.”

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