Page 108 of Power Play

My heart has never been so full.

“Clay, wait,”Layla whines, trying to wiggle out of my embrace. I hold her close, peppering her face with light kisses. “Wait—I still have an olive in my mouth,” she grumbles, and it’s the only thing that makes me pause.

I lean away, peering down at her. So stunning and so fucking mine. We stand in the darkness of the living room in Thompson’s house. Roman and Nevaeh’s wedding guests are still in the backyard.

“Thank you,” she says, finally swallowing her food. “What has gotten into you? You stole me right in the middle of my conversation with Ava.”

“I’ve been dying to tell you something, and I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

She arches an eyebrow at me. “What is it?”

“Maya told me she loves me,” I blurt on an exhale. Layla’s face becomes long as her jaw drops. Her eyes grow big like saucers.

“She told you she loves you?”

I nod.

“Oh, Clay.” She cups my face with her palms, pulls me down to her, and presses her lips to mine. It’s sweet and hot at the same time. It’s tender and passionate. It’s relaxing andimpatient all at once. This kiss is like a breath of fresh air—I simply can’t exist without it.

I love her.

When our lips finally part, I press my forehead to hers, cocooning her in my warmth, my arms wrapped tightly around her. “I hate that I have to leave you. Away games have become my living nightmare.”

“I’ll miss you too, but you love playing hockey, and you’re brilliant on the ice. Always do what brings you joy, and I’ll do my best to support you.” Layla smiles gently, snaking her arms around my middle.

“Layla?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s a home game in two weeks, after our stretch of away games. We play Anaheim.” I meet her gaze. It’s warm and coating; a glint so similar to mine shimmers behind her irises. “Come to the game in my jersey. I want everyone to know you’re mine. That we are together.”

Layla holds my gaze quietly, then her lips split into a wide smile. “Okay.”

“And we’re telling our friends that we’re together tomorrow, when they come over for my birthday dinner,” I state matter-of-factly. I don’t want to do it now because it’s all about Roman and Nev today, but I don’t want to hide my love for her. Not anymore.

“Our parents, Drake, Angie, and Ava already know, so of course we can tell everyone else too.”

“I’m still mind-blown that Ava hasn’t told Colt anything. He’ll be furious when he finds out she knew.”

“Ava is tough to crack. I don’t think it will bother her.” Layla snorts. “She’s been rooting for us from the start.”

“Me too. God, how much I love you.” I cover her mouth with mine and kiss her for so long that my lips start to feel numb.Holding her in my arms, I don’t want to leave this room at all. But I think I need to tell her what I promised Maya. “Um, about Maya…I promised her a Willa.”

“You what? You promised her a dog?” Her palms press to my chest as she attempts to push me away, but I cradle her harder to my chest.

“We will figure this out, okay?” I tell her with conviction. “Everything is going to be all right.”

Layla stops trying to pull away. Instead, she hugs me back and presses her cheek to my chest. “With you, I know we will. You’re my compass, Clay. Always pointing me in the right direction. Steady and true, never wavering, and always knowing what to do. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Two weeks later

Stepping onto the ice,the first thing I see is Layla and Maya. I came here early before warm-ups started. Loud music reverberates through the arena, sliding deep under my skin. Some people are already seated. They talk and laugh, but I can’t bring myself to care. The center of my attention is my girls standing in front of the plexiglass. I smile so big, my cheeks hurt.

They are here for me, and they are both wearing my jersey.

I skate over to them, my eyes never leaving them. Maya waves her hand, giggling heartily. Her pigtails, held on top of her head by blue scrunchies, bounce as she wiggles in her mom’s arms. She’s in dark blue jeans and little boots. Her eyes glint with excitement behind her glasses. Layla’s blond hair shinesbrightly under the lights of the arena, and her stunning smile does funny things to my body. I suddenly feel incredibly hot.

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