Page 103 of Broken Promises

“You’re paying for security and anonymity, not snacks,” Kai points out.

“We have to leave soon, anyway. You can get food at the arena,” Jo points out.

“Are you planning on seeing Dec before his game?” Belle asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t think seeing me this nervous is going to help him.” I managed to keep it mostly together when he was here earlier, before he had to leave to get back to his hotel and team. He’s not allowed to stay with me, and the team is at a different hotel a few miles from here. Kai found this hotel and insisted we stay here because of their reputation for keeping celebrity stays on the down low.

Hockey Boy

Where are you?

“Or not,” I saw, looking at the message on my phone.

At the hotel still.

Instead of texting me back, he calls.

“What’s wrong?” Declan asks the moment I answer.

“Nothing.”

“Willa. . .”

I sigh. “I’m just a nervous wreck and didn’t want to mess up your game.”

“Princess, I’m nervous too. That’s why I need to see you.” There’s a slight desperation in his voice that has me standing and heading for the door. I can hear Kai snort and everyone else following me.

“I’m on my way. Will there be time before warmups?” I ask, now rushing down the hall.

“Car is already outside,” Jo says, keeping up with me easily. Stupid short fucking legs.

“I’ll make time,” Declan says.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can, hockey boy.” I stuff my phone back in my pocket and half run out of the hotel.

I slide into the waiting limo to find Maggie already there. She can stay in the hotel with the team since she’s not high profile. I’m sure Gideon has been taking advantage of that, even though he’s supposed to stay in his own room.

“Jo sent the limo for me first,” Maggie explains, probably seeing the questioning look on my face.

I look over at Jo, and she just shrugs. “I knew you’d end up wanting to see him before the game.”

I run through the arena the moment we get there. My security easily handles the team’s since it’s the third game in a row I’ve been here and they recognize me, anyway. They’re still required to check badges, which I understand, but they’ll have to wait.

“Dec!” I yell when I see him. He’s standing at the entrance to the tunnel in full uniform, waiting for me. I throw myself at him, and he easily catches me like he always does, his stick clanging on the rubber floor where he drops it.

“Princess,” he murmurs into my hair. “Are you okay?”

I smile. “I am now.”

He searches my face and then grins when he sees I’m telling the truth. “Me too.”

“Win tonight so we can go home and celebrate,” I tell him.

“Yeah, and then I have to win game seven too, so that Sinclair is in a good mood,” he grumbles.

“One thing at a time. Focus on this game. Don’t hog the puck. Don’t shoot at the left corners like Finn is expecting.”

“I fucking love you,” Declan says before kissing me.

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